Joyce Hall

Key discussions during the meeting included the annual selection of the Commission Chair and Vice Chair. The body approved claims totaling $1,749,589.92 and approved specified adds and abates amounting to $16,142. Agenda items added for discussion involved an executive session concerning non-elected personnel, an executive session regarding attorney-client privilege related to pending litigation, an appointment for Planning and Zoning for District 2, and an official appointment for Southeast Kansas Mental Health. The meeting was briefly paused for a five-minute executive session concerning non-elected personnel. The County IT Director provided updates on email system completion, website design progress, and equipment removal from the jail facility. A significant portion of the meeting involved an auditor presenting the 2024 financial audit, confirming no cash basis or budget violations, and noting required obligation deadlines for ARPA and LATCF funds. The auditor also confirmed compliance with the single audit requirements for federal funds. The commission members discussed the status of a courthouse generator and the possibility of repurposing it for the courthouse and district court buildings. Finally, the commission discussed the 2025 audit contract terms with the auditor.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and an invocation. Key agenda items included the approval of claims totaling $372,319.40 and the approval of tax ads and abates refunds amounting to $6,949. The agenda itself was approved, followed by a monthly ambulance report for February 1st through 16th, detailing call volumes and response times across various districts. The Sheriff's report provided jail statistics, calls for service, and civil services. The Emergency Management update covered recent fire activity, river levels nearing flood stage, and an announcement for a fundraising pancake feed at Parker Fire Station. The IT Director provided an update covering support tickets, the installation of a cold weather kit on a generator, repair of a health department generator sensor, installation of a new 360-degree camera in the jail kitchen, completion of phase one of the law enforcement radio encryption project, and troubleshooting issues with new vehicle radio installs. A discussion ensued regarding improving audio clarity for remote guests joining via video conference platforms like Zoom or Google Teams. Public Works presented on road construction projects, including work on Highway 52 near the high school, inspection and planned updates for Cabin Six at the park, which will require a future roof replacement. They also updated on culvert projects in Blue Mound and Centerville, and the permitting process required for replacing culverts on 1095. Concerns regarding school bus routes intersecting with construction areas were noted. Finally, the commission addressed equipment repairs, including a breakdown of a cat grader requiring repair and approval for necessary repairs for the sign truck, totaling $5,461.13. A motion was also passed to approve an initial repair amount for a faulty hydraulic pump on a track loader, with the allowance to return for further approval if necessary.

The primary topic discussed was a request for rezoning property located east and south of the power plant from its current zoning to I1 (Light Industrial) to facilitate future electrical infrastructure, specifically a substation, for EverGy. The request was made based on county zoning factors, emphasizing the need to support unprecedented demand for electrical generation and distribution capacity to ensure grid resilience. The proposed I1 zoning was argued to be consistent with the intent of the regulations, transition smoothly between adjacent heavy industrial and agricultural uses, and align with the Linn County Comprehensive Plan. The board also addressed a rezoning request from Youth Front camp, noting that the applicant's detailed report had not been distributed to all commissioners prior to the presentation.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. Key agenda items included the approval of minutes, a motion to approve claims totaling $968,249.40, and approval of various ads and debates. The commission reviewed the 2026 paid holidays calendar, ultimately approving a list that included Juneteenth and granted a half-day for Christmas Eve. Resolution 2025-27 was passed, authorizing the disposal of several surplus vehicles via auction. The commission also approved Resolution 2025-29 regarding the payroll schedule and accounts payable voucher dates, with minor adjustments for holidays. Appointments were made for representation on the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, designating one member and one alternate. Finally, the approval of two expense/mileage reports was processed, and a presentation was given by the Small Business Administration regarding disaster recovery low-interest loans available for small businesses and nonprofits following a presidential declaration in October 2025.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and an invocation. Key discussions included the approval of previous minutes and claims totaling $616,163.21, and ads and abates amounting to $783.94. The agenda was amended to include a Planning and Zoning appointment for District One, a 10-minute executive session regarding non-elected personnel and job performance for the appraiser, and a 5-minute attorney-client privilege session. Reports were presented including AMR data showing 77 calls and 43 transports for the period of January 1st through the 19th, and a detailed Sheriff's report covering prisoner counts, calls for service, and case statistics. The commission discussed the transfer of $106,450.74 to the special equipment reserve fund for the Fire Department, which was presented as an amendment to the 2025-33 resolution due to higher-than-budgeted call volume. The Fire Emergency Management representative discussed recent call summaries and requested permission to transfer surplus SCBA bottles to Anderson County. Public Works reported on ongoing tire bids, the estimated $10,473.36 cost to repair a motor grader (approved up to $11,000), and updates on two dump trucks needing repair or potential salvage. They also discussed landfill updates, including as-built survey completion for vertical expansion and initiating contact with KDH regarding eastern expansion. A required KTO federal aid signature page for the 1095 project was brought forward for signatures, along with a certification form regarding eligibility. Finally, registration costs for the County Weed Directors Association of Kansas conference were noted.