By Katee Underwood, Staff Writer
Comanche County commissioners discussed upcoming road work, equipment needs and weed control along state highways during their Aug. 18 meeting.
Commissioners Joe Moore, Zack Ellis and Saige Gerstner approved $106,652.21 in bills and reviewed minutes from previous meetings before moving into department business.
Klete Hackney, the county’s Kansas Department of Transportation supervisor, met with commissioners to discuss an agreement allowing the county’s noxious weed department to treat weeds along state highway rights of way.
With the county now having a noxious weed director, Hackney said he would like the agreement in place so spraying can begin.
County officials discussed several logistical concerns, including the limited reach of the department’s spray equipment and a requirement that the county provide traffic control while spraying is taking place.
Despite the concerns, commissioners agreed to enter into the agreement with KDOT. Gerstner made the motion, with Ellis seconding. The motion passed 3-0.
Road Work Planned
Road and Bridge Supervisor AJ Becker and Tanner Yost, an engineer with Kirkham Michael, met with commissioners to discuss current and future public works projects.
Yost presented a draft strategic plan for the Public Works Department. Commissioners, Yost and Becker discussed priorities and ideas they would like incorporated into the plan.
A finalized draft is expected to be presented during the commission’s second meeting in October.
Becker also reported that an overlay project on Old Highway 34, also known as the Lexington Blacktop, is scheduled for Aug. 26-28. An advertisement has been placed in the newspaper to notify residents of the upcoming work.
Equipment needs were another topic of discussion.
Becker has been looking at auction sites for a tractor that could be used to pull an additional mower. Commissioners advised him to consider the availability of replacement parts and whether parts could be obtained nearby before making a purchase.
Becker also presented quotes for a replacement zero-turn mower after the department’s John Deere mower broke down. Quotes from Morgan Diesel, Western Equipment and Kincheloe’s ranged from $11,492 to $17,963 for Bad Boy, John Deere and Hustler models.
Commissioners decided to wait until next mowing season to purchase a new mower and asked Becker to take the existing mower to Western Equipment to determine whether it can be repaired.
Until then, the Road and Bridge Department will use the courthouse mower for mowing within the city limits.
Vehicle Repairs Discussed
County Clerk Bri Uhl presented commissioners with estimates for repairs to a pickup that was transferred from the Sheriff’s Office to the County Appraiser’s Office.
A windshield replacement was quoted at $414.60, while tires were estimated at $1,056.
Commissioners contacted another local provider, who estimated the windshield replacement at $230 to $300. They approved having the lower-cost windshield replacement completed and approved the purchase of the tires.
Uhl also asked commissioners to consider exchanging vehicles between the Appraiser’s Office and Sheriff’s Office. Under the proposal, the Chevrolet Traverse would go to the Sheriff’s Office and the Ram pickup would go to the Appraiser’s Office, with no money exchanged between the departments.
Commissioners said the vehicles’ values would need to be determined before making a decision.
The commission also reviewed two ballots from the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition concerning county support for Fish and Wildlife Acts. The county commissioners marked “yes” on both of the coalition ballots.
