ST. JOHN — These are the minutes from the Stafford County Board of County Commissioner meetings on May 6 and May 13.
The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met on Wednesday, May 6 in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Garner called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Bryce Garner, Todd Wycoff, and Jim Stanford.
Marshal Sanders, Rural Fire, presented the 2027 budget for his department in the amount of $351,050. Marshal also presented information regarding fire suppression systems to be used for solar and battery facilities as well as other large types of fires such as shelter belts, oil tanks, and trucks. He had quotes from 1st Fire Safety for a 120 gallon system as well as a 60 gallon system priced at $25,500 and $16,500, respectively. Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Wycoff seconded to approve the purchase of a 120 gallon SAFE-CAF Portable Compressed Air Foam Fire Suppression System for $25,500, plus freight. Motion carried 3-0. Marshal also advised that he would be going ahead and purchasing two 6 x 12 enclosed trailers for the grain extrication equipment which had been previously discussed with the commission. Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Stanford seconded, to approve the purchase of the two enclosed trailers at a total cost of $12,200 from Sunflower Trailer Sales. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Stanford seconded, to approve the minutes from the April 29 meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Stanford seconded, to approve the tax roll correction. Motion carried 3-0.
Vanessa Cornwell, Treasurer, presented the 2026 first quarter investment performance report. She stated that the county earned $30,167.30 in interest on idle funds in the first quarter. She also presented a stipend request for Stephanie Smith as she has completed all of her driver’s license training.
Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Stanford seconded, to approve the $86 monthly stipend. Motion carried 3-0. Vanessa discussed a proposed trial change to lunch breaks for employees in her office. Employees would take a 30 minute lunch rather than an hour. They would then be given an extra day off each month to allow for personal errands and appointments. Office hours would remain the same and there would be no change in services.
Upon the request of Gina Schwein, Communications Director, and Rob Murrow, Sheriff, Commissioner Stanford moved, and Commissioner Wycoff seconded, to recess to executive session pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception to discuss a non-elected personnel issue returning to open session at 9:40 a.m. in commission chambers. Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, County Counselor, Gina Schwein, Rob Murrow. Motion carried 3-0. No action was taken when the open session continued.
Judge Hipp, Lundy Settle, Judy Lyon, and Heather Schloctermeier with the 20th Judicial District presented the 2027 budget request for Stafford County District Court. Judge Hipp went over the details of the budget request. She also advised that some new sound system equipment will be needed in the courtroom and that there would be grant funding available for that.
Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.
May 13
The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met on Wednesday, May 13, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Garner called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Bryce Garner, Todd Wycoff, and Jim Stanford,
Billy Milton, Brian Dunn, Joanna McAllister and Mark Popp with the Stafford County Fair Board met with the commissioners regarding their 2027 budget allocation proposal. Billy presented the 2025 financial report, and the group gave an update on the projects being done on the new building and around the fairgrounds. They also advised that membership numbers are significantly on the rise.
Trent Hannan, Road & Bridge supervisor, presented the 2027 budget proposal for his department. He went over the items that will need to increase for 2027 and advised that the next purchase needing to be made would be a grader which would put the department in a good position with equipment. He also advised that he has filled the shop foreman position and still has a couple of positions open to bring the department to full staff.
Ryan Witt, Noxious Weed Director, presented the 2027 budget proposals for both Noxious Weed and Environmental Services. He highlighted a couple of minor increases.
LuAnn Brister and Amy Unruh, Register of Deeds, presented the 2027 budget proposal. They discussed budget changes for 2027 and the plan for the remainder of the year since LuAnn will be retiring at that time.
Ryan Russell, Economic Development Director, met with the commissioners to inform them of a KDOT and USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (SS4A) opportunity. This would support roadway and pedestrian safety planning as well as implementation projects. He added that he could obtain federal funds to cover the match for the grant. He also advised that Eco Devo is looking at adding an assistant director position which would focus on grant writing, project management and implementation as well as community development initiatives. He asked if the commission would consider a modest increase in the allocation made to Eco Devo. He also advised that he is waiting to hear about the Congressional Spending funding request for the 800 radios.
Isaac Wright with Kirkham Michael & Associates joined the meeting to do a zoom presentation of the Preliminary Engineering Report for the Quivira Refuge Well Water Diversion Water Line. Also joining the presentation in person and online were members of the Kansas Water Users Group, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Services, and representatives from Kirkham Michael & Associates.
Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Stanford seconded, to approve the minutes of the May 6th meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Carolyn Dunn, Port Authority, met with the commissioners to give them some clarity regarding the airport issue. It was explained that the grant she has applied for is a Kansas Airport Improvement Plan Grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). It is just a planning grant that will put in place the process allowing for a long term road map for implementing an airport sometime in the future. This process will allow the FAA to issue a location id number designated for the possible site. After that id number is issued the location would immediately be closed and posted so as not to allow any air traffic. This is just a preliminary process that carries no obligation. There is no plan to build an airport in the immediate future.
Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Wycoff seconded, to approve Carolyn Dunn to move forward with the Airport Improvement Plan Grant. Motion carried 2-1.
Lisa Weber, County Clerk discussed information from Golden Belt Telephone (GBT) regarding installing new telephones in the courthouse. The current phones have reached the end of their life span and warranty so repairs or replacements with like products would not be possible. There will be no upfront costs associated with replacing the phones. Services will continue being billed monthly and can be tailored to each individual department at the time of installation. Monthly charges could actually be slightly reduced. The commission had no objection to the phones being replaced.
During the meeting vouchers and checks were signed from the following funds
General - $30,160.50
Road & Bridge - $121,146.71
Health - $2,504.58
Rural fire - $19,141.45
Noxious Weed - $1,129.87
Appraiser - $ 409.80
Equipment Reserve - $ 7,430.95
Solid Waste - $6,227.55
SF CO EMS - $2,163.33
Motor Vehicle - $94.83
Fire Reserve - $27,000
Road & Bridge Sp Impr - $3,000
E911 - $1,100.44
Deeds Tech - $62.02
TOTAL - $221,572.03
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
