Commission - Regular Meeting

We'll get started. We'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners. It's May 28, 2026. On my far right, Ashley's filling in for our county councilor, Rich Eckert. And on the far left is Lisa Schmidt, our county clerk. Good morning. On my right is Commissioner Kevin Cook, represents District 2. And on my left is Aaron Mays, who represents District 3. I'm Bill Rippon, and I represent District 1. What's first?

All right. First item is to unfinished business. Consider approval of contract C2026188 through C2026190. with Enterprise Fleet Management to take advantage of Resolution 2018-22, Early Order Strategy, to replace vehicles that have reached the end of their lease or end of their useful life. The annual increase is expected to be approximately $38,962, funded from the department's operating budget. This item is deferred from May 21, 2026.

Good morning, Commissioners. Tim Laurent, Director, Parks and Recreation Department. So as you recall, as we were going through this, Commissioner Mays asked us to look into possibly leasing all electric Mavericks, which we have done. Unfortunately, there's rumors that they're going to come out with all electric Mavericks, but right now they're not available. So they're not selling them yet, and so we wouldn't be able to lease them if we wanted to. However, we did do some research and I've learned since last week that Brent Holsetter, our fleet manager who's here in case you have questions that I can't answer, is very much in favor of electric vehicles and has done a lot of research on this. We did buy or lease, excuse me, a Ford Lightning electric vehicle in 2023. all electric. And you're right. I mean, from an operational cost, it was about half of what a normal pickup would have been. At the same time, we leased the vehicle that I've been driving, which is a two-wheel drive F-150 quad cab pickup. And the lightning cost for the delivery cost on that was about $10,000 higher, $52,000 compared to $42,000. And the trade-in that we're getting on both of those, because they're both involved in this lease package that we're wanting to approve, the trade-in value for the lightning is $32,450. And the trade in value for the gas model is about $1000 more 33,358. It costs us twice as much to operate that gas vehicle the last three years as it did the electric vehicle, but it was only $421 to operate the electric and it was $828 to do so. The point I'm trying to make is I think the key component to what we're doing on our lease program is this early buyback strategy. And I think as it stands today, we wouldn't be able to do that with these lightnings. The operational cost is less, but when you factor in all of that, the total cost to us to lease that lightning for three years was $19,971. And it was only $9,620 to lease the pickup, the regular gas model, all because of that trade-in value. So we're going to keep looking at it. The rumor is they are going to start making some Mavericks. And so I think the key will be how much will they lease them for? Is it going to be $10,000 more than a hybrid? Then it may not be worth it. But Once they come out, I think we've talked about maybe trying to do a pilot program. I know Eric Van Beesler is here, and he put a lot of work into that and what that might look like. So when we come back here next year to do this again, we may be in a better position to try to do something like our pilot program. So that's what we found out. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Well, I appreciate you looking into it. Are the Mavericks full-size pickups?

They're not. They're small and they're hybrids and they do really well on gas.

Any other questions?

No, I'll move for approval.

I'll second. A motion's been made by Commissioner May, seconded by Commissioner Rippon. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Thank you.

Next time. Before we go, I just want to thank Brent. I know you've put a lot into leasing and investigation. I just want to appreciate all the work that you've done on behalf of the county and Parks and Rec. So thank you. All right.

Next item.

Next item is item three, consent agenda.

I move that we approve the consent agenda. Second. The motion has been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Next time.

Next item, item four, new business. A, county clerk. One, consider all voucher payments.

Commissioners, this morning we have vouchers that total $1,699,738.21. There are significant payments being made of $72,078.30 to Shirley Science for the electronic gauge park sign. and that was paid with the Gage Park sales tax funds. I don't have any questions regarding the vouchers and would move for their approval.

I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Rippon. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Next.

To consider correction orders.

I would move that we approve the correctional orders. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon, second by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say aye. Opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Next.

B, Department of Corrections. One, consider approval of Contract C-2026-196. with tech 8-4 for one year of maintenance on the body scanner system within the adult detention center at a cost of $11,800 to be paid from the fiscal year 2026 detention budget.

Good morning, Commissioners. Tim Phelps, Department of Corrections. This is our annual update of our maintenance agreement for the body scanner that we use to detect contraband in the booking process. Are we happy to answer any questions you have?

Questions? No. I move for approval. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Mayes. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Thank you. Thank you, Tim. Next item.

C, Health Department. One, consider approval of contract C2026197 with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Division of Healthcare Finance to provide outreach, prevention, and early intervention services through the Shawnee County Health Department for grant funding of $433,450.95 with dollar-for-dollar matching funds from the Early Childhood Block Grant.

Good morning, Commissioners. Missy Middendorf, Shawnee County Health Department, Family Health Division Manager. This is an agreement we brought to you for many years in a row. This agreement with KDHE, Division of Health Care Finance, is what we use for funding to match our Early Childhood Block Grant, and we also receive dollars to support, this is the monies to support, Nurse Family Partnership, and then we also are a pass-through for Kansas Children's Service League for their Healthy Families Home Visitation Services. We'll be coming back later with those agreements once this one takes place for our Kansas Children's Service League. And then once we get our early childhood block grant award, we will come back with that one. Any questions?

No. No? I'll move for approval. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Mayes, seconded by Commissioner Rippon. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Thank you. Thank you. Next.

Two, consider approval to award Shawnee County RFP number 015-26 for professional pharmaceutical consultation services to Elizabeth Skinner. ELIZABETH SKINNER.

Good morning, commissioners. Carrie Delphs, clinical services division manager with the health department. On March 6, we came to you to request issuing an RFP for pharmaceutical consultation services. This morning, we're asking to award that to Betsy Skinner for those services. Happy to answer any questions.

Questions? I'll move for approval. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon, seconded by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Next item.

Three, consider approval of contract C2026198, an independent contractor agreement with Elizabeth Skinner for professional pharmaceutical consultation services for the Shawnee County Health Department to serve as pharmacist in charge.

Carrie Delce again with the Health Department. This would be the agreement with Betsy for those pharmacists in charge services. It runs for a year term with the option to auto renew at a cost of $800 a month paid from our program and grant budgets. Happy to answer any questions.

I'll move for approval. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon, second by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Thank you. Thank you. Next item.

D, Parks and Recreation. One, consider approval to award bid number 016-26 and execution of contract C2026199 with safe slide restoration for slide restorations at Midwest Health Aquatic Center at a cost of $89,277 to be paid by the Parks for All Foundation.

Good morning again. Tim Laurent, Parks and Recreation Director. So we did go out for bid for this project. We had seven firms bid on this and we would like to award it to Safe Slide Restoration. We've done work with them in the past. They do a great job. I also just want to mention that the this is as the clerk mentioned this is being paid for the parks for all foundation but i also want to mention midwest health they're the reason we're able to do this they have an endowment inside the parks for all foundation and the the interest generated from that endowment is paying for this slide restoration so with that i'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have questions cost or the timeline for the restoration they won't start until the season's over uh and then they'll they'll have it done before we open up next year uh they're it's only they're only estimated to take on their bid seven to eight days they're a pretty big operation so they'll come in and knock it out but it'll be we won't do anything until we're closed and then before we open up next spring this will be done

Is the current slide usable? It is, yeah, absolutely.

That's something else to note, that Midwest Health Aquatic Center is 10 years old this year. So that opened back in 2016.

So what's the process look like, I guess? Do you know?

I'm not probably the best one to talk to about it. I know that the emphasis is on the inside of the slides, where your skin is coming into contact with the slide. That's what starts to wear out. That's what we want to make sure doesn't become a problem. So they'll come in and repair anything that needs to be repaired, and then they re-coat it. I don't know exactly how that process works, but when they get done, it'll be good as new. And I don't know if you've driven by there lately, but those slides do look like they need a little attention. They're just a little faded. But the outside is more cosmetic and just making sure the structure looks good. But what they'll focus on most is the inside where the folks are sliding.

I know that kind of somewhat related to our wave pool wasn't working quite right when we opened it up.

Yeah, it's holding water, which that's probably the most important thing. No leaks, but the wave portion of it wasn't working. I don't have a status update on that right now. I know we were ordering parts. It seemed like it was going to be a fairly easy fix and very inexpensive fix, but we were just waiting on some parts.

And all the other bulls are up and zooming and everything's working?

Everything else is operational. So I would say in the seven years I've been here, this has been the, knock on wood, has been the smoothest pool season we've had. We're fully stocked with guards. And other than the waves not working at Midwest Health, everything else is operational, including our splash pads.

Unlike Wichita that can't seem to find enough lifeguards.

Right, I know.

One more question. So this says it'll be completed after the season. Does that mean in the fall or does that mean once the winter is over?

No, I think my understanding is that they're going to start this and it'll be done this fall. They're not going to do it during the winter. And that's that's what I believe is happening.

Okay.

OK. Well, I'll move for approval then.

I'll second.

All right. Whatever you want to pick. Yeah. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon, second by Commissioner Mayes. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. Thank you. Next item.

E, commission. One, fill the vacated position of the clerk to the Mission Township Board.

okay we have of course we have an opening on that township board we have two two applicants Josh Osborne and a Larry Stowe I'll kind of open up to discussion I guess I don't know if any of you know these candidates or have any comments or

I don't know either of them personally, but the two emails that we had received from them, it looks like Josh Osborne is a firefighter. Right. And Larry Stowe has previously served as the clerk on the Mission Township for two terms. So he had eight years doing this exact job already.

And this is just to fill the term?

Yeah, the next two years.

For two years. Well, it might not be bad to go with the guy who has experience on the board. I don't know.

I mean, it would probably be easier for the township to have somebody.

So I guess that would be my recommendation.

Are you making a motion then to appoint Larry Stowe to be?

Yeah, I guess so. I will. All right. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon to consider or to appoint Larry Stowe. That's my motion. Second by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 3-0. So congratulations, Larry Stowe. Next item.

Item 5, public comment.

Don't have anyone signed up for public comment, but if you're here and would like to speak, this is your moment. Seeing none, we'll move on.

Item six, administrative communications.

Morning, commissioners. Ashley Guilfoyle with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. Wanted to let you know that this week we had a variety of state tournaments through Keisha at our locations with probably the biggest one we noticed was the 3A golf tournament for a couple days out at Lake Shawnee Golf Course. We had the parking lot so full that people were having to park on the sides of it, so that was really nice to see. and we wanted to let you know that this weekend we'll be having our annual doggy date night it is actually hosted at evergy plaza so you probably wonder why do we host one of our programs at a place that's not ours when we have 110 parks but one of our standards for accreditation is that we do cooperative programming meaning that we operate outside of our own entity and partner with other organizations to bring recreational activities to our community this is a great way that we can do that and meet that standard and uh it goes to the parks for all foundation and raisin canes has actually sponsored that for the rental of evergy plaza so they sponsor that cost as well as for insurance and the gift bags so it's no cost to us at all and we still get to bring a great event from six to eight or six thirty eight thirty at everton plaza this weekend for all your four-legged friends you have any questions yes thank you ashley

Good morning, commissioners. Jake Fisher, Shawnee County Elections Office. Just want to remind everyone that this coming Monday, June the 1st at noon, is the filing deadline for office if someone is looking to run for any of the current positions that are open and on the ballot for this year. That is this Monday at noon. Also, this Monday at noon is the deadline if somebody wants to change their party affiliation. And so we've been doing news releases, been on the news stations. We've put stuff out on our Facebook page. So we're just trying to get the word out to folks. So if you have a desire to do that, you can do that online through our website. You can send an email to us with the proper form already filled out at electionoffice at snco.us. If someone has any questions, they can always call the elections office at 785-251-5900. Also on the ballot this August is a constitutional amendment, but bring that up because if someone is an unaffiliated voter, they still have a reason to go to the polls in August to vote on that constitutional amendment. And the final thing is we are still looking for a few more election workers to help us out on election day. If someone has any interest in doing that, they can find out more on our website, or they can, again, call the election office at 785-251-5900. Thank you. Thank you.

Good morning, everyone. Susan Duffy, Shawnee County Treasurer. Tomorrow is the last day of the month. And per usual, we are always open the last day of the month at 730. But again, we are running our summer special. So every Friday, we will be open at 730. uh to help folks out we've already seen an increase in the number of people waiting before eight o'clock so tomorrow at 7 30 we will be open as it is the last day of the month if you do not have an appointment for your titles we do not do title work on the last day of the month that's so we can get all the late comers who should have been in earlier to renew, get them through on a timely basis. But we do encourage people, our citizens, to go out and make an appointment. It is really easy. If you need some help, give us a call. Thanks so much.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Commissioner Mayes that we do have a big event today with plug and play we have some startups from around the world that are are in town doing some learning and then I believe this is the kind of the graduation of their program that they've been in for the past several weeks and so kind of a cool thing if you're able to go I recommend checking it out because The startup culture that they have is something to behold. So check that out if you can. That's good.

Nothing additional. I just might mention the Soldier Township fire station. They're doing a groundbreaking tomorrow. So I'll probably run out there and watch that. That's all I have. Next.

Next item on the agenda is Item 7, Executive Sessions.

We do have a need to go into Executive Session. This is to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss wages. So how much time do you think we'll need for that? You guys have any? Maybe 15 minutes. 15 minutes. 15 minutes? Okay. Why don't we start... Let's go till 9.30, signing things. We'll start at 9.30. Start at then. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rippon, second by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say aye. Those opposed. Motion carries 3-0.

All right. Okay, can we start now? All right, we are back in session. No action was taken at this time, so we're adjourned.