The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, at 9:00 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 A discussion was held regarding data centers. Many Kansas counties are being approached about potential data center sites. Several Kansas counties have passed a moratorium resolution prohibiting data centers. The item was tabled.
Ryan Michaelis, County Appraiser, gave a report to the commissioners. The department’s 2027 budget request was presented as follows: 2026 Budget Salaries - $158,500.00; Commodities - $8,000.00; Contractual - $32,500.00; Capital Outlay-$ 8,000.00; Transfers Out - $10,000.00 Total - $217,000.00 2027 Budget Request Salaries - $162,725.00; Commodities-$ 9,750.00; Contractual- $34,550.00; Capital Outlay-$ 8,000.00; Transfers Out -$8,000.00 Total - $223,025.00 The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
A Disaster Relief Application has been received for the real estate parcel located at 12 Kahola Road in Council Grove. The structure was damaged by a tornado on April 23rd, 2026.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the Disaster Relief Application for Paul and Jill Emig, as presented. The reduction in assessed value from the tornado damage will be applied to the parcel and pro-rated for the remainder of the 2026 tax year. Motion carried.
Chelsey Schmidt, County Clerk, has completed the July Abstract. The abstract has been submitted and approved by the State Property Valuation Division. Budget Estimates and Revenue Neutral Rates have been certified to taxing entities and adjoining counties. The June 2026 assessed value estimates and comparison to November 2025 certified assessed values are as follows: November 2025: Real Estate: 73,269,800; Utilities: 21,842,797; Personal Property: 3,299,350; Oil: 628,826 Total 99,040,773 June 2026: Real Estate: 76,472,020; Utilities: 23,074,680; Personal Property: 2,990,121; Oil: 409,582 Total 102,946,403 Ryan Michaelis, County Appraiser, reported that the decrease in oil values is due to low production. The decrease in personal property values is due to the new exemptions of boat and marine equipment, off-road vehicles and recreational and utility trailers.
Jeremy Cosgrove, county resident, visited with the commissioners regarding the Memorandum of Agreement between adjoining landowners for the temporary closure of a portion of 625 Road. The temporary closure will be for new fencing to be built.
Colleen Anderson, Morris County Senior Citizens Inc. Board President, gave a report on the Senior Citizen Centers. The budget for the Senior Citizen Centers is becoming very limited. They anticipate being able to meet all financial obligations, however, they will have no reserve funds should they have any vehicle breakdowns or repairs, equipment repairs, etc. The vans currently owned by the Senior Centers that are used for meal delivery are aging and increasing in mileage. Historically, the county appropriates 1 mill of taxes for the Senior Centers. A request was made for additional funding to be considered for the 2027 budget year. The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
Desree Pettera, Republican Candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives 68th District, joined the meeting and visited with the commissioners.
Corrine Blosser, Register of Deeds, gave a report to the commissioners. The department’s 2027 budget request was presented as follows: 2026 Budget Salaries-$121,500.00 Commodities-$3,500.00 Contractual-$12,850.00 Capital Outlay-$1,000.00 Total-$138,850.00 2027 Budget Request Salaries $105,000.00 Commodities $3,500.00 Contractual $12,885.00 Capital Outlay $1,000.00 Total $122,385.00 The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve minutes from the June 9th, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve payroll liabilities as presented; in the total amount of $44,397.25. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $40,217.27. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $20,450.65 Road & Bridge: $9,233.03 Reappraisal: $188.38 Noxious Weed: $6,804.53 Solid Waste: $217.75 Employee Benefits: $1,310.00 Morris County 911: $1,132.83 Diversion: $926.38 DARE Program: $(46.28) The commissioners received a letter from the North Central- Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging requesting an appropriation for 2027 as follows: Administrative Funding: $2,595.00, Friendship Meals Health Insurance Support: $41,228.00 and Senior Care Act: $5,451.00 for a total request of $49,274.00. This is $11,407.00 more than the 2026 appropriation. Majority of the requested increase is to pay for half of the health insurance benefits for a cook in Wabaunsee County. Meals for the White City Senior Center are prepared in Wabaunsee County, then transported and served in the White City and Dwight areas. The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process.
A request has been made for the courthouse to offer public wi-fi. Discussion was held. The item was tabled and will be discussed further during the county’s budgeting process.
The commissioners reviewed the following budget report for the month of May: See above.
Funds that had less than 58% budget remaining were discussed.
Shelly Lautt gave the following public works report for the week of June 8th- 12th: Road & Bridge: Hamm Quarry road rock was hauled to J Ave. from 2300-2400, P Ave. from 2100-2200, 2800 Rd. from G-H and 2700 Rd. from G-H Creek gravel was laid on 1800 Rd. from X-Y and 1000 Rd. from T-U Downed trees were removed from the roads on 800 Rd. from H-J, G Ave. from 500-600, R Ave. from 3100-3200, 3100 Rd. from BB-CC, 3000 Rd. from AA-BB, X Ave. from 2900-3000, Lake Rd. from 800-900, D Ave. from 500-600, 300 Rd. from D-F, F Ave. from 300-400, F Ave. from 500-600, T Ave. from 15001600, 1900 Rd. from T-U, T Ave. from 1900-2000, K Ave. from 800900, 2900 Rd. from P-Q and Anderson Street in Burdick Blade men fixed washout areas on their routes from the heavy rains Rock was retrieved from ditches on 2900 Rd. from G-J, 2700 Rd. from G-L, J Ave. from 2600-2700, 2400 Rd. from G-J, J Ave. from 2400-2850, H Ave. from 2700-2900, 2000 Rd. from T-U, 2900 Rd. from P-Q, K Ave. from 900-1050, T Ave. from 1900-2000, 1900 Rd. from T-U, 2000 Rd. from T-U, F Ave. from 300-400 and F Ave. from 1000-1100 Culvert repair work was done on P Ave. between 2100-2200 Washouts were fixed on H Ave. from 400-500 and 250 Rd. from M-P Asphalt patching work has started on Old Hwy 4 Started work on making the pad for the new storage building at the county shop Signage work was done across the county; road signs that were damaged from flooding were taken down and put back up in the Dunlap area Transfer Station: Residents have been very thankful for the north gate remaining open after business hours Noxious Weed: Caleb investigated a spraying complaint on 2800 Rd. between Z-AA; no issues were found; discussed findings with the landowner More chemicals have been ordered Discussion was held regarding the Rails to Trails and Santa Fe Trail signs. The bicycle/pedestrian crossing signs for the Rails to Trails are the responsibility of Wildlife and Parks. The signs for the Santa Fe Trail are the responsibility of the National Parks Service.
Discussion was held regarding gravel being moved on the county road in the area of 1000 Rd. from B-C Avenue. A letter will be sent to the patron involved with moving the rock.
Elisha Bacon, Office Manager for Recycle, Transfer Station and Noxious Weed, joined the meeting. Discussion was held regarding the Commercial Landfill Fee special assessment. All commercial parcels were reviewed.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-08, A Resolution Pertaining to the Rules and Regulations Setting Forth Solid Waste Disposal Fees for the Residents of Morris County, Kansas, as presented. Effective for the 2026 tax year, the Residential Landfill Fee special assessment will increase from $95.00/parcel to $105.00/parcel, and the Commercial Landfill Fee special assessment will increase by $10.00/parcel for all tiers. The resolution shall be published in the official county newspaper, and a copy will be mailed with tax statements in November. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-09 Proclaiming and Declaring a State of Local Disaster Emergency for Morris County, Kansas due to excessive rain, flooding, hail, tornadoes and high winds beginning on June 4th, 2026, and continuing until June 20th, 2026. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Meeting minutes will be published on the county website: www. morriscountyks.org.