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Weed director requests two positions, warns chemical costs and new noxious weeds slowed operations
Summary
John Landon requested a customer‑service hire and a deputy director as part of succession planning, and described rising chemical prices and slower application cycles caused by new noxious weeds and weather; he also said the department is expanding drone use for inspections.
John Landon, director of the Shawnee County weed department, presented a largely personnel‑focused 2027 budget. He asked to add an intermittent customer‑service position to staff the front counter during peak chemical sales and proposed a deputy director position to support succession planning as he approaches retirement in several years.
Landon said chemical prices have "rocketed up" (he cited glyphosate increasing about $1 per gallon in vendor quotes) and that five new noxious weed species have slowed application cycles. He described logistical constraints from wind and rain that limit spraying windows and said the department has sometimes had to buy more expensive materials when preferred aggregates were unavailable.
On equipment, Landon said most vehicles are leased and the department may extend leases longer to avoid early replacements. He said the drone program is in active use for levee and watershed inspections and is being expanded into Ward Martin Creek to support access‑limited work.
Commissioners asked about storage capacity for chemicals and program trends; Landon said the department has containment and bay storage and that bulk purchasing has been used when advantageous.
Next steps: budget requests for the weed department will be reviewed with other departmental requests.
