Chase County Commissioners heard several budget and appropriation requests Monday, June 8, before turning to a lengthy Road and Bridge discussion that included Middle Creek Road, Lake Road and possible future ditch-cleaning needs.
The meeting began with general business. Commissioners approved minutes from the May 29, 2026, meeting and the June 1, 2026, meeting at the Saffordville Schoolhouse.
Rachel Jones, with the Chase County Health Department, discussed a possible dental services partnership with Flint Hills Technical College and GraceMed. Jones said GraceMed is donating two dental units, while the technical college has two chairs. Representatives plan to visit the health department on June 18 to measure space and determine whether a room in the building could accommodate dental services.
Jones said the idea would allow dental students to provide services in Chase County, possibly beginning in October if details can be worked out. She said the program could help meet a need identified in the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan, which showed dental services and transportation to medical appointments as needs in the community. Jones said the technical college has liability insurance for its dental students and, as she understands it, the county is not being asked for funding at this point.
EMS Director Scott Harris reviewed his department’s budget and said costs are trending upward. Harris discussed personnel costs, contractual services, medical supplies and generated revenue. He said he is requesting an increase in the personnel line and asked commissioners to consider $210,000 as they work through the budget.
District Court Clerk Jenna Gibb said her budget request of $94,500 increased in three categories: interpreter fees, attorney fees for mentally ill and courtroom recording equipment. Gibb said interpreter fees continue to rise with foreign traffic cases. She also said attorney fees for mentally ill increased last year and could continue with an ongoing case. A $3,000 increase in a lease line would cover the new courtroom recording program previously discussed with commissioners.
Representatives of the Chase County Conservation District requested $17,000 in county funding. Chris Mushrush, chairman of the district, Camille Steffes, district manager, and James Unger, district conservationist with NRCS, appeared before commissioners. Mushrush said the request is the same amount the district received last year and helps support the district manager’s salary, office operations and public education. County Clerk Connie Pretzer later noted that the conservation district has kept its request at $17,000 for about five years, rather than increasing it as some other organizations have done.
The trio said nearly $80,000 in state cost-share funding and grants had been put back into the county for conservation work. The funds helped local operations implement conservation practices, including native grass seedings and tree-cutting work on rangeland. The district also rents out a native grass drill, which representatives said has seen heavy use this year following armyworm damage.
The commissioners mentioned the county’s wildfire protection planning process and said the conservation district may be a good partner in future discussions, particularly regarding red cedar removal, water sources in rural areas and other wildfire mitigation efforts.
Corina Sanchez, director of CASA of the Flint Hills, and representative Stephanie, an outreach victim advocate for crisis services, attended the meeting. Sanchez said CASA of the Flint Hills serves the 5th Judicial District, which includes Lyon and Chase counties.
Sanchez said the organization provided 107 services to Chase County residents in 2025. Those services included crisis intervention, advocacy, prevention education, child advocacy and support for victims and families. She said services are provided at no cost to clients and requested $3,500 to continue supporting Chase County.
Deb Haglund reviewed the Senior Center budget and said the center is dealing with equipment and transportation needs. She said an upright freezer in the back room is going out and should be replaced before food is lost. The center also expects to receive a new bus next spring.
Haglund said meal numbers have been strong, with a recent Friday reaching about 130 meals. She said Fridays are especially busy, but daily meal counts have also been good. She also noted that KDOT reimbursements help offset some transportation-related wages and expenses. The Senior Center is again looking for a part-time cook, and Haglund said staff members are currently covering extra duties. Haglund requested $203,500 which covers personnel costs of $184,000, contractual costs of $7000 and $12,500 in commodities.
Commissioners held multiple executive sessions for non-elected personnel during the meeting. No action was taken.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Thom Kirk reviewed his department’s budget and discussed Middle Creek Road, Lake Road, bridge needs and possible ditch-cleaning plans. Kirk said his proposed budget numbers included conservative increases in some areas to account for costs and continued chip seal work.
Miller asked Kirk for more specific numbers on the cost of a dedicated ditch-cleaning crew, including equipment and personnel. Kirk said the department has moved more toward ditch work in recent years but has not created a dedicated crew whose only job is cleaning ditches. He said he would research options, including whether the county would need another mini excavator or whether an older backhoe should be replaced.
Kirk also told commissioners that rented equipment has been reserved beginning Aug. 3 to resume work on the Middle Creek Road project. He said the county’s plan is to finish the Middle Creek Road stabilization and chip seal work this summer. He estimated the work could take about two strong weeks if weather does not interfere.
After Middle Creek Road, commissioners discussed whether the county could move to improvement of Lake Road.
Miller said he wanted to make sure it was clear that he is not in favor of grinding Lake Road and leaving it as gravel for any period of time. He noted the road has a traffic count of about 400 vehicles and said he did not believe the public would support leaving it in that condition.
Kirk said the section from Cherry Street toward the lake entrance is less prone to water issues than some other areas and may be a better candidate for work that could be completed in one construction season. However, he said areas closer to the river, floodplain or seeping hillsides may require a higher level of stabilization.
Miller asked Kirk to determine what would be needed to get the best finished product possible without leaving the road torn up for a year. Kirk said he would bring back estimates for the current soil chemical process, emulsified asphalt stabilization and Portland cement stabilization. Commissioners indicated they wanted to know the cost of doing the section from the lake entrance back toward Cherry Street.
Commissioners also asked for an updated list of the top bridges most in need of replacement and discussed having another firm inspect fracture-critical bridges during off years.
The next Chase County Commission meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. June 15 and 9 a.m. June 30.