Kay County commissioners unanimously move to retain federal bridge grant application ahead of May 21 deadline

At an emergency meeting on May 20, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners of Kay County voted unanimously to retain the county's existing Bridge Investment Program grant application after a Circuit Engineering District No. 8 (CED #8) amendment required a May 21 notification to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Chairman Jeff Kreger told commissioners that District Attorney Hermanson recommended the emergency session and that CED #8 approved Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Amendment No. 2 on May 19, 2026. Kreger said the county must tell the FHWA by May 21 whether it intends to retain the application originally approved on Aug. 26, 2024, and warned that "failure to retain the application could result in a significant financial loss to the County in the amount of approximately $250,000 to $300,000." The amount was presented to the board as an approximate loss range.

Shane Jones moved to approve retention of the current application; Chairman Jeff Kreger seconded. The motion carried with all three commissioners present voting yes: Kreger, Jones and Vice-Chairman Jason Shanks. The board recorded no dissenting votes.

Kreger said he would respond to the email notifying FHWA to retain the existing application. With no other business, the board adjourned at 1:04 p.m.

What happens next: The county must notify FHWA by the May 21 deadline indicated by CED #8 to preserve the application; no additional funding decisions or approvals were recorded during the emergency session.