The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Melinda Small, Deputy County Clerk, and Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, were present.
Jeremy Cosgrove, county resident, visited with the commissioners regarding rebuilding fence in the area of South 625 Road. The commissioners recommended communication and an agreement from all adjoining landowners for temporarily gating the area.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve minutes from the June 2nd, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $97,440.61. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $14,941.52 Road & Bridge: $79,097.80 Reappraisal: $15.00 Noxious Weed: $1,662.77 Ambulance: $584.11 Solid Waste: $934.10 DARE Program: $205.31 Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve payroll as presented; in the total amount of $109,218.25. Motion carried.
Shelly Lautt and Brett Wright gave the following public works report for the week of June 1st- 5th: Road & Bridge: Hamm Quarry road rock was hauled to 2700 Rd. from A-F, 2800 Rd. from P-R, T Ave. from 29003000, 2400 Rd. from Q-R, Q Ave. from 2400-2500, V Ave. from 525700, 500 Rd. from G-J and 500 Rd. from H-K Slough Creek Quarry road rock was placed on 1400 Rd. from H-J, J Ave. from 1300-1400, 600 Rd. from D-F, D Ave. from 600-700, 700 Rd. from D-F, 1100 Rd. from H-J, H Ave. from 700-800 and H Ave. from 1500-1600 Creek gravel was laid on 600 Rd. from G-H, 900 Rd. from V-Hwy 177, Y Ave. from 1100-1400, AB Ave. from 200-400 and H Ave. from 1175-1300 Routine sign work was done across the county Blade men fixed washout areas on their routes following the recent heavy rains Rock was retrieved from the ditches on 2800 Rd. from G-H, 2900 Rd. from G-J, H Ave. from 2700-2800, 2700 Rd. from H-J, 2825 Rd. from H-J and 3000 Rd. from G-H Brush was cleared from the low water crossing on X Ave. between 100-200 Ditch and culvert were cleaned out at J Ave. and 1050 Rd.
Gravel was put on the approaches at the low water crossing on 400 Rd. between D-F Filled the mud holes with dirt on the minimum maintenance road entrance on H Ave. between 1175-1300 Mowing was done on the Council Grove route The KDOT KLBIP Program selected the RS-70 Bridge on Woodbine Road over Clark’s Creek for the cost-share bridge program; KDOT will fund $1,775,000.00; $280,000.00 will be Morris County’s matching portion for the construction and inspection work Transfer Station: Staff would like to keep the north yard open after hours to accommodate the extra tree debris removal from the recent storms; this would only be temporary Noxious Weed: Several letters have been sent to landowners concerning Musk Thistle Discussion was held regarding minimum maintenance roads. The Minimum Maintenance Road Policy will be published on the county website.
The following trailer quotes with hydraulic jacks and hydraulic dovetail were presented and reviewed: Bidder: Blue Valley Trailers, Trailer: 22x10 Titan Total-$27,100.00 Bidder: Blue Valley Trailers, Trailer: 23x9 H&H, Total-$20,750.00 Bidder: Flint Hills Welding, Trailer: 22x9 Titan, Total-$27,000.00 Bidder: Flint Hills Welding, Trailer: 24x9 Titan, Total-$27,700.00 Bidder: Flint Hills Welding, Trailer: 23x9 H&H, Total-$20,600.00 Bidder: Flint Hills Welding, Trailer: 22x10 Dolittle, Total-$23,500.00 Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the quote from Flint Hills Welding for the 22x10 Dolittle Trailer in the amount of $23,500.00. Funds are to be paid from the Equipment Reserve Fund. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding the OS-5 and OS-58 Bridge Projects. The commissioners agreed to have the engineer combine both bridge projects into one bid package.
Commissioner Barber discussed the area of 1900 Rd. from F-G; there is a lot of Musk Thistle.
Follow-up discussion from last week’s meeting was held regarding the solid waste special assessment fees. The commercial properties are being reviewed. The item will be discussed further at next week’s meeting.
Judge Benjamin Sexton, Jan Helmer, Courtney Parker and Stephanie Petrie with the 8th Judicial District, gave a report to the commissioners. The Morris County District Court 2027 budget request was presented as follows: Commodities-(2026 Budget $5,000.00) 2027 Budget Request $5,000.00 Contractual-(2026 Budget $49,561.00) 2-27 Budget Request-$ 41,938.00 District Expenses-(2026 Budget $8,945.00) 2027 Budget Re- quest-$9,373.00 Capital Outlay (2026 Budget $2,400.00) 2027 Budget Request $58,711.00 Total (2026 Budget $65,906.00) Total (2027 Budget Request $58,711.00) The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the quote from CRB Water for the courthouse water treatment products and services, as presented. The annual amount of $4,200.00 shall be billed at $350.00 per month. Motion carried.
David Owen, Morris County EMS Director, gave a report on Morris County EMS and presented the following statistics for the months of April and May: Ambulance calls: 120 Transfers from MCH to other hosstate pitals: 29 Total number of runs: 149 North County: 41 South County: 108 Year to date total runs: 370 Discussion was held regarding the insurance coverage on the ambulances. Morris County purchases the ambulances and Morris County Hospital insures the ambulances. The ambulances currently have liability only coverage. The item was tabled; further discussion will be held.
Follow-up discussion from last week’s meeting was held regarding the quotes for the Community Building Flooring. Further information was provided from Anthem Concrete Coatings. There is a 20-year warranty on the Graniflex flooring system. The Graniflex and Polish and Seal flooring systems are very easy to clean and can be cleaned with an auto scrubber. Although the Polish & Seal does not hold back as much water pressure as the Graniflex, it does hold back approximately 15 psi of water; unless there is a spring running under the concrete there is no concerns about the Polish & Seal delaminating.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the quote from Anthem Concrete Coatings for the Polish & Seal w/Epoxy Basecoat in the amount of $37,750.00. Funds are to be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
--Meeting minutes will be published on the county website: www. morriscountyks.org.