The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 10 approved a package of routine and administrative items including voucher payments of $3,224,703.40 and several contract awards.

Finance staff told the board, “This morning, we have vouchers that total $3,224,703.40,” and provided a breakdown showing $991,819.41 related to the Kansas Department of Revenue/Division of Vehicles (treasurer’s office), payroll of $909,065.38 and $653,046.73 for health insurance administration. Commissioner Mayes moved to approve the vouchers and Commissioner Kevin Cook seconded; the chair recorded the motion as passing 2 to 0.

The board approved the consent agenda and correction orders without discussion. The clerk introduced Resolution No. 2025-89 to authorize a 2026 cereal malt beverage license for John’s Food Center at 5812 Southwest Topeka Boulevard; the county counselor’s office reported that background checks were completed and the township was notified. Commissioner Kevin Cook moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner Mayes seconded; the chair’s recorded tally in the transcript appears as “Motion passes 3 to 2 to 0” (the tally in the transcript is garbled; see audit note below).

On procurement matters, Assistant County Counselor Ashley Beechert said the county issued a request for qualifications for lobbying services and received one qualified response. The professional services committee recommended awarding the bid and authorizing contract negotiations. Commissioner Mayes moved to approve and Commissioner Cook seconded; the motion was recorded as passing 2 to 0. (The transcript contains two vendor spellings — “Kin Singer and Associates” and “Kenzinger and Associates”; see audit note.)

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Morett briefed the board and the commissioners approved weekend-lease contracts for baseball and softball complexes. Morett said the county typically fills nearly 30 weekends for tournaments; the board approved contracts C424 (USSSA Kansas City) and C425 (Kansas City Sports) for baseball complexes and contract C426 (USSSA Kansas City) for softball, with motions passing 2 to 0.

The sheriff’s office asked to add four call-taker positions to the communications center. Major Justin Vest said the new positions would bring call-taker staffing to seven and ease pressure on dispatchers; the positions were listed at range 300 step 1 plus an additional retention incentive for total compensation of $19.33 per hour and would be paid from budgeted funds. Commissioner Mayes moved to approve the staffing change; Commissioner Cook seconded and the motion passed 2 to 0.

There were no public comments. In administrative communications, Brian Colesch of the county Department of Corrections gave a progress update on the county’s behavioral health unit, reporting construction is on schedule and slightly under budget and that tours for commissioners and outside partners have begun. The board adjourned after determining there was no need for an executive session.

Next steps: the board authorized staff to proceed with contract negotiations where specified, to submit the KDWP trails grant application (see separate article), and to implement the approved staffing changes in the sheriff’s communications center.