The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, at 9 a.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Chelsey Schmidt, County Clerk, and Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, were present.
Others present: Billy Kryger- Pastor Berean Baptist Church Brett Samuels, Emergency Manager, gave a report on Emergency Management. Brett was out storm spotting during the past several storms. The Unbound Gravel Race came through Morris County this past weekend. The Emergency Operations Plan for Washunga Days is being finalized.
Gary Floyd, county resident, visited with the commissioners.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to appoint Gary Floyd to serve on the Morris County hospital board. He will fill the unexpired term of David Senne. Motion carried.
Sealed bids were opened for the Courthouse Chiller Replacement. Brian Romme, with Central Mechanical, was present. One bid was received as follows: Bidder: Central Mechanical Total $214,225.00 Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the bid from Central Mechanical for materials, labor and equipment to replace the existing water-cooled chiller and cooling tower with a new air-cooled chiller with remote evaporator; the total amount is not to exceed $214,225.00. Funds shall be paid out of the Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried.
Sealed bids were opened for the Community Building Flooring. Two bids were received as follows: Bidder: TSR Concrete Coatings, Flooring System-Polyurea- Evolution Flake, Total $50,250.00 Bidder: Anthem Concrete Coatings, Flooring System-Permaflex-Graniflex Flake, Total $52,850.00 Bidder: Anthem Concrete Coatings, Flooring System-Polished Concrete-Semi Gloss, Total $50,962.50 Bidder: Anthem Concrete Coatings, Flooring System-Polish & Seal w/Epoxy Basecoa, Total $37,750.00 Discussion was held regarding the different flooring systems. The current concrete floor in the Community Building did not have a vapor barrier applied when the building was constructed.
The two flake flooring options that were presented would hold back up to 40 psi of water and would not allow moisture to rise through the concrete. This type of flooring system would also be very stain resistant.
The polished concrete would not prevent moisture from rising through the concrete and it is not very stain resistant.
The polish and seal with epoxy basecoat would hold back up to 20 psi of water. This type of flooring system is very stain resistant and easy to clean.
The commissioners would like to ask further questions regarding the warranties, expected longevity, and slickness of each type of flooring system. The item will be discussed further next week.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve minutes from the May 26th, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $91,241.99. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $14,333.96 Road & Bridge: $34,730.36 Health Dept Flowthru: $2,800.00 Noxious Weed: $6,179.64 Ambulance:$159.65 Solid Waste: $28,767.99 Morris County 911: $4,270.39 Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve payroll liabilities as presented; in the total amount of $149,548.46. Motion carried.
Shelly Lautt gave the following public works report for the week of May 25th- 29th: Road & Bridge: Hamm Quarry road rock was hauled to G Ave. from 1200-1300, G Ave. from 400-600, 400 Rd. from D-F and U Ave. from 2800-2900 Slough Creek Quarry road rock was hauled to K Ave. from 11001300, 1050 Rd. from J-P, 1400 Rd. from G-H and 1400 Rd. from G-J Creek gravel was placed on 1100 Rd. from J-K, U Ave. from 100-200, 200 Rd. from U-X, 200 Rd. from Y-Z and Y Ave. from 200-400 Repaired the low water crossing washout on DD Ave. between 400500 Trees and brush were cut on 1700 Rd. from U-V Tree roots were piled and dirt leveled on F Ave. between 2200-2400 Removed debris from the low water crossing at 4 Mile Rd. and Dunlap Routine sign work was done across the county Mowing was done on the Council Grove, Parkerville and Dunlap routes Shelly and Brett Wright attended the KDEM Pre-Damage Assessment meeting for the April 26-27th, 2026 storms. Site visits of the road damages at 12 locations across the county were made.
Shelly filed the Preliminary Damage Assessment for the May 14-20th, 2026 flooding and submitted to KDEM Recycle: A load of scrap metal was picked up last week by Hess & Son’s A load of cardboard went out this morning Transfer Station: The touch screen pad for the scale is currently not working. A call has been placed to Travis Scale for repairs.
Noxious Weed: Caleb has switched over to spraying for Johnson Grass We are currently waiting for 2-4D to be delivered Landowners are reporting an increase in musk thistle this year Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-07; Declaring a State of Local Disaster Emergency for Morris County, Kansas due to excessive rain, flooding, hail and high winds on May 14th and continuing until May 20th, 2026, which has damaged or destroyed property, trees, crops, roadways, culverts and bridges within Morris County. Motion carried.
Commissioner Barber mentioned that there are a lot of trees and debris washed up under the Marstellar Bridge on F Ave. between 16001700. There are also more trees washed up again under the box culvert on A Ave. between 2200-2300.
Commissioner Kohler asked if the county could recycle the old courthouse chiller once it is removed in the fall. The Recycle Department will look into whether this can fit in the roll-off trailer for scrap metal.
Discussion was held regarding the solid waste special assessment fees. The current Commercial Landfill Fee is $85.00/year. The current Resi- dential Landfill Fee is $95.00/ year. In 2025 calendar year the special assessments billed amounted to $341,580.00. The Transfer Station and Recycle Center brought in an additional $76,072.71 in gate fees, $10,735.25 in scrap iron and $22,600.05 in cardboard and other recyclables. In 2025 calendar year the total expenses for operation of Solid Waste were $473,672.91. The short-fall between revenues and expenditures for 2025 was approximately $22,700.00. Hauling fees for trash to go to the landfill are currently $44.88/ton and continue to increase. It was proposed to increase each special assessment landfill fee by $10.00; Commercial Landfill Fee to $95.00/year and Residential Landfill Fee to $105.00/year. The item will be discussed further next week.
Rita Noll, Holly Croaker and Joe Newland visited with the commissioners. Joe Newland is Republican Governor Candidate, Vicki Schmidt’s, running mate. The candidate for Lt. Governor introduced himself to the commissioners.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Meeting minutes will be published on the county website: www. morriscountyks.org.