Board approves contract amendment and audit services; sets timeline for new fire station design and construction

The Soldier Township Board approved several administrative items and heard departmental reports that set timelines for a major capital project.

Legal counsel Todd Luckman reviewed and approved Contract Amendment #1 with KBS Constructors; Clerk Mike Mathes questioned the amendment’s grand-total dollar amount and emphasized keeping the final cost at or below the $11.9 million figure previously approved by taxpayers. Despite that concern, Member Jerry Glasgow moved to approve the contract amendment; Member Chad Gerhardt seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

The board also approved audit services with Shipley CPA for fiscal years 2026–2028 in a 3-0 vote.

Administrator Audree Guzman reported that voters approved a bond for a new fire station in the recent election, with 1,900 yes votes and 627 no votes. Guzman said full design for the next phase begins Nov. 12 and construction is anticipated to start in summer 2026; the township expects to sell bonds in late February or early March 2026, with the first payment due within a year of the sale (early 2027). The minutes note a tax appeal has been filed with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals and that the township is awaiting a hearing date.

Fire Chief Chad Lady updated trustees that the department had run 980 calls in 2025 to date, placed a new medic truck (M-71) into service, began hose testing, and is near completion of a transition to paramedic scope. Road Superintendent John Tipton reported recent asphalt repairs, a two-inch overlay on Indian Creek Road done with Bettis Asphalt and Construction, about $10,000 in millings sales, and multiple replaced driveway culverts. An open house for the Road Maintenance Building was announced for Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The board adjourned at 12:59 p.m.