Tanda L. Bartlett

The regular session meeting addressed the consent agenda, which included the approval of a Cereal Malt Beverage License for Rancho Santa Fe LLC. Under the County Administrator's Report, the Board approved the Kansas 911 Annual Call Handling invoice. The Fire & EMS department received approval to purchase an ambulance remount from Osage Ambulances. The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging's 1-year Public Housing Agency Plan was approved. The Ford County Engineer provided updates on active projects, including the completion of the 113 Road Resurfacing project, anticipated construction starts for the Pioneer Creek Wind Farm and Booth Hill Solar, and progress on Bridge OS 101 replacement, for which a Temporary Construction Easement was approved. The Board also tabled discussion regarding the 2026 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay of Garnett Road and approved changing the date of the second County Commission meeting in January due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The regular session meeting addressed the reorganization of the Board of County Commissioners, resulting in the election of Commissioner Thomas as Chairman for 2026 and the re-election of Commissioner Boys as Vice-Chairman. Several resolutions were adopted, including setting regular meeting dates and times, designating official depositories for county funds (including Landmark National Bank), and continuing an account in the Municipal Investment Pool. Resolution No. 2026-05 requesting a waiver of requirements was also adopted. The County Counselor Contract with Kerbs Law Office was approved, as was Resolution 2026-06 concerning the Mako Wind Energy Conditional Use Permit Extension. Claims for payment totaling $3,481,993.02 were approved. Planning and Zoning items included the approval of Resolution 2026-07 (Sol Estates Plat) and Resolution 2026-08 (Jim Bailes / Quality Auto Sales). The board approved the LEPC bylaws and a service repair quote for a road grader. The Sheriff's office reports, including the Annual Equitable Sharing Agreement and State Forfeiture Report, were approved. The board approved several FY26 and FY27 comprehensive plan grant applications and budgets related to juvenile delinquency and adult community corrections, and appointed the commissioners to the 2026 Ford County Rural Fire District board. Other actions included approving the worker's compensation policy renewal and the 2026 dues for the Kansas Association of City / County Management. Finally, the Garnett Road resurfacing project was funded using Community Project Funds.

The regular session meeting covered the approval of the consent agenda, which included various adds and abatements and a Cereal Malt Beverage Application. Claims for payment totaling $885,427.29 were approved. Unfinished business included the approval of the Certification to Landmark National Bank. The County Administrator's Report involved the reappointment of two Community Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) members, approval of cost estimates for repairs at Dodge City Raceway Park, and approval of five Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for organizational funding. The Commissioners also approved requests to solicit bids for a noxious weed pickup truck and for 2026 fuel for the Road & Bridge department. Approval was granted for Santa Fe Trail Community Corrections to solicit bids for a new compact SUV with a trade-in, and Commissioner Boys received approval to attend the Taiwan Smart City Summit. The Ford County Engineer presented a detailed monthly report covering ongoing road resurfacing, HMA overlay projects, bridge work, and a new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant partnership. Engineering agreements and bid results for the FAS 220 Deck Rehab were approved. The Board reviewed and adjusted committee duties, approved the purchase of Field Mobile software for the Appraiser's office, and rescheduled the second February meeting due to President's Day.

The meeting included a reorganization of the Board of County Commission, involving the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Key legal counsel items involved approving several resolutions regarding official meeting dates, designating official fund depositories (including Landmark National Bank), continuing an account in the Municipal Investment Pool, and addressing the County Counselor Contract and a Conditional Use Permit Extension for Mako Wind Energy. The County Administrator's Report covered updates on Planning & Zoning plats (Sol Estates and Jim Bailes/Quality Auto Sales), the Local Emergency Planning Committee bylaws, Road & Bridge equipment repair, Sheriff's reports on agreements and forfeitures, progress reports for Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs, grant applications for Juvenile Services and Adult Community Corrections, 2026 Fireboard Appointments, and the Workers Compensation Policy Renewal. Additionally, claims for payment totaling $3,481,993.02 were approved.

The meeting included discussions and approvals related to IT upgrades for the United Wireless Arena and Boot Hill Casino and Resort Conference Center. The 2026 "Why Not Dodge" Sales Tax Budget was presented and approved. Applications for nonprofit organizations in Ford County were reviewed, with the CFAB board recommending approval of funding for various organizations, including the Dodge City Area Arts Council, Dodge City Roundup, Ford County Historical Society, Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, and Young Guns Youth Rodeo.