The Neosho County Commissioners focused their discussion on road and bridge projects and jail renovations during their recent meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown noted that rightof- way acquisition was needed along 30th Road, where a bridge will be built, and a motion to begin this process was approved by the commissioners.
A $232,567.54 payment application to Bridges Inc. for engineering costs on the Neosho River Bridge project was approved.
Commissioner Gail Klaassen noted that with this payment, there is now less than a million dollars owed for this project.
“We’re getting close,” Brown said.
A proposal from Jim Kepley to complete brush cutting along the Elk Road River Bridge from Ash Grove, north to the county line, was approved at the rate of $250 per hour. Brown said his department lacks the time and equipment to do it themselves.
Brown noted that the road was overgrown, and it was hard to see around curves, and that this was needed.
Klaassen said that doing the brush cutting would make the project feel finished.
Brown said that fall cleanup week is scheduled for Oct. 28-Nov. 1, which was formally approved by the commission.
Permission was granted by the commissioners to allow a resident to move a water line into the county-owned right of way.
“I don’t see a problem as long as it is deep enough,” Commissioner Nick Galemore said.
Brown noted that the Neosho Veterans Road Bridge, which collapsed in July, was accepted into the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program.
Brown said the state will cover 85% of $3,065,000 for the bridge, with the other 15% to come from the county.
“I am very excited to receive funding for that,” Brown said. “This is the best deal that we can hope for. I think it would be a mistake not to take advantage of that.”
Commissioner Paul Westhoff said that it was good news.
Brown noted that rebuilding that bridge would decrease pressure on existing bridges, particularly with ag traffic.
Klaassen said this was the perfect example of a project that benefits from the county’s sales tax on special bridge projects.
During the discussion, Klaassen noted a few projects she’d like to see completed with the sales tax funding, including an overlay near North Elk and an overlay on 70th, near Galesburg.
“I think we need to get it done as soon as possible,” Klaassen said.
She also mentioned the 30th road project and the North Island Bridge on Veterans Road.
Maintenance Director David Burnett said that the existing pipes have a 50-year warranty; however, they were beginning to fail much sooner. Burnette said the pipes were not necessarily rated for commercial use and were eroding, either due to something in the water or due to the quality of the pipe.
Burnett said he is currently waiting on water quality testing and communication from the pipe manufacturer for more information.
The Neosho Commission will have a budget hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. The County published its mill levy of 42.773, below the revenue neutral rate of 45.107.
The next regular commission meeting will be Sept. 23, at the Neosho County Courthouse. Agendas can be viewed at www.neoshocountyks.org, and meetings are livestreamed to the Neosho County Commission YouTube Channel.
