The Allen County Commission met briefly Tuesday morning, receiving a series of departmental updates ranging from roadwork progress to emergency management transitions, and approving several community requests.
Public Works Director Mitch Garner reported repairs to the county’s track hoe should be completed by early next week. At the airport, crews have installed a door on the new hangar. Work on the front apron is pending due to weather delays. At the landfill, a final walkthrough of the new cell with engineers is scheduled for Thursday.
Garner also noted bids are going out this week for a new noxious weed truck, including a flatbed and sprayer system, with plans to have equipment in place for next year’s spraying season. Multiple vendors will be contacted for bids.
ROAD & BRIDGE Director Jeremy Hopkins said crews are working on 600 Road this week before moving into Humboldt for chipsealing, covering about 42 blocks. Once those projects are complete, most of this year’s roadwork will be finished. Commissioner Jerry Daniels asked about progress on bridges on Hawaii Road; Hopkins confirmed sealing work will follow the Humboldt project.
In response to a request from Commissioner John Brocker, Hopkins agreed to provide additional rock for the storm shelter area in Carlyle.
COMMUNITY requests included a visit from Floyd Thompson of the Humboldt Biblesta committee, who asked for continued county support for the annual event. Commissioners unanimously approved a $1,500 donation, matching last year’s contribution. This year marks the 67th anniversary of the faith-based celebration. The event is Saturday, Oct. 3.
Emergency Management Director Jason Trego updated the commission on the county’s transition from the Code Red alert system to a new provider, Genasys. The switch is targeted for Oct. 1, though the Code Red contract runs until Jan. 3. Trego added that residents will be notified of the change in advance through local media and social platforms to ensure a smooth transition.
COUNTY Clerk Shannon Patterson presented a temporary liquor license request for the Phoenix Foundation, which is planning an Oct. 10 event at Liberty Landing, a site south of Iola that hosts a food truck once a week. Commissioners approved the permit.
Patterson told commissioners she will attend Thursday’s Kansas Association of Counties regional meeting in Ottawa.
In other news, commissioners:
• Granted permission to Kelly Klubek, senior pastor at the Community Church of the Nazarene, for Antioch on the Square to use the courthouse bandstand Oct. 6–12 for evening gospel services.
• Discussed filling a vacancy on the hospital board.
• Permitted St. Luke’s to place teal and purple ribbons around the square for Suicide Awareness Month in September.
