The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Dawn Wecker, County Clerk’s Office, and Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, were present.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the County Attorney’s Diversion Fund Request for Deputy Anderson and Deputy Godley to attend a two-day seminar for “Introduction to Child Abuse and Sex Crimes” in Salina, Kansas. The total amount of $900.00 shall be paid from the Diversion Fund. Motion carried.
Commissioner Barber has received several concerns from patrons about unsafe driving and vehicles traveling extremely fast on 2300 Rd. near the intersection of F Ave. The commission plans to discuss and relay the information to Sheriff Coover.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve minutes from the May 19th, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Amanda Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer, and Linda Johnson, Board Member, for Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness gave a report on the services provided in calendar year 2025. 223 Morris County residents and 17 Morris County jail inmates received services from Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness in 2025; 37 of those clients were uninsured. A total of 250 Crisis Service Contacts were made in Morris County; this is an increase from 178 from the prior year. An appropriation request was made for the 2027 budget year in the amount of $68,500.00; this is $2,500.00 more than the 2026 appropriation. Historically Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness additionally receives 1/3 of the county’s liquor tax funds. The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $23,436.21. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $18,124.60 Noxious Weed: $5,236.61 DARE Program: $75.00 Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve payroll as presented; in the total amount of $114,626.19. Motion carried.
Sealed bids were opened for the Emergency Management/Recycle Center Storage Building. Those present were Shelly Lautt, Brett Wright, Joe Kormanik and Jude Kormanik. The bids were as follows: Bidder Total Circle J Construction LLC $46,590.00 QSI- Quality Structures $39,990.00 Adams Construction $54,057.00 K- Construction Inc $56,608.00 Commissioner Kohler (Barber) moved to approve the bid from QSIQuality Structures as presented, in the total amount of $39,990.00. Motion carried.
Shelly Lautt and Brett Wright gave the following public works report for the week of May 18th- May 22nd: Road & Bridge: Hamm Quarry road rock was hauled to J Ave. from 3000-3100, L Ave. from 2900-3000, L Ave. from 3100-3200, 2800 Rd. from K-L, J Ave. from 2400-2500, F Ave. from 1600-1700, 1800 Rd. from V-X, 1000 Rd. and A Ave., 500 Rd. from D-F, 400 Rd. from D-F, D Ave. from 600-700, 1300 Rd. from T-U, F Ave. from 400-500, 300 Rd. from D-F, 500 Rd. from G-H and 500 Rd. from H-J Slough Creek Quarry road rock was hauled to 600 Rd. from D-G Creek gravel was placed on 1400 Rd. from R-U, R Ave. and Lake Rd.1400, and M Ave. and Old Hwy 4400 Oversized creek gravel was placed around washed-out wing walls on 800 Rd. between H-J and H Ave. between 1400-1500 Culvert was installed on F Ave. between 1600-1700 Washouts were repaired on blade routes; the approach at the low water crossing on 400 Rd. between D-F was also repaired Plugged culverts were cleaned on 1100 Rd. between D-F Barricades were removed and the roadway opened on 500 Rd. between D-F Trees were cut from 1800 Rd. and V Ave. and hauled to the north yard Brush pile was burned in the north yard Trees and debris caused by the tornado were removed from 100 Rd. between R-T Gravel was retrieved from the ditches on 100 Rd. between R-T Routine sign work was done across the county Creek gravel was screened at the county shop Mowing was done on the Council Grove, Wilsey, Latimer and White City routes A tractor mower was laid over in a ditch on 2800 Rd. between K-L at a box culvert while mowing; the employee was treated and released at the hospital; the only damage to the equipment was to the exhaust on the tractor Emergency Management: Brett storm spotted Monday night Reviewed tornado damage with the National Weather Service on Tuesday Reviewed Washunga Days plans with the fire department and police department and has begun putting together the Emergency Operations Plan for the event Communicated with the Council Grove Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office to relay information and updates regarding the Unbound Gravel Race Recycle: A load of scrap metal was picked up last week by Hess & Son’s The roll-off dumpster is in a temporary place so that we could burn the brush pile without melting paint on the dumpster Friendly reminder to all patrons that cardboard boxes need to be broken down Noxious Weed: Patrons need to be on the lookout for Musk Thistle; we have received reports of them growing in places where they typically haven’t been for many years We appreciate citizens calling in to let us know when/where they see noxious weeds in the road ditches; with one person covering the county it is difficult to see all areas Two fuel bids were received for 4,500 gallons of #2 clear diesel fuel and 3,500 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline as follows: Bidder: MFA Oil: Diesel 3.8370/ gal, Reg Unleaded 3.3135/gal, Tota; $28,863.75 Bidder: FNF Petroleum: Diesel 4.15 gal, Reg Unleaded 3.489/gal, Total $30,886.50 Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the bid from MFA Oil as presented, in the total amount of $28,863.75. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fox discussed the low water crossing at 400 Rd. between D-F.
Commissioner Barber discussed the area of 2100 Rd. and G Ave.; the rains have eroded the gravel off the east end of the culvert pipe; the gravel needs to be reclaimed and put back on the culvert.
Commissioner Barber thanked the road and bridge department for the mowing to the cemeteries that was done in preparation for Memorial Day.
Commissioner Kohler received concerns about the large creek gravel that is on Kelso Rd near the church area.
Discussion was held regarding the residential and commercial landfill fees. The special assessment fees will be reviewed next week.
Discussion was held regarding declaring a local disaster for damages incurred from recent storms. Damages will be reviewed and the item will be discussed further next week.
The meeting was adjourned at Noon.
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