During last week’s Neosho County Commission meeting, the commissioners voted to move forward with the Rural Housing Incentive District, which was approved by the Chanute City Commission to facilitate Chanute Housing LLC building 32 rental units near Walmart.
District 2 Commissioner Nicholas Galemore said the proposal was received at the end of August.
“In reviewing this plan, and the way it’s set up, the only taxing entities that truly are affected are Neosho County, the school district 413, and the college,” Galemore said. “In these rural housing investment districts, it affects us at a greater weight than it does the City of Chanute.”
The Commission voted to approve an ordinance, R-25-J, which states that the RHID proposed by the City of Chanute concerning the RHID will have an adverse effect on Neosho County.
The commission also approved an application for the Emergency Management Performance Grant to be submitted. According to Emergency Prep Director Melanie Kent-Culp, the county will learn whether that grant was approved in December. Kent-Culp said funding would depend on how many other counties applied, as funds are split between applicants. This grant provides federal funding to assist in developing and carrying out emergency management programs.
In other business, three new Neighborhood Revitalization Program applicants were approved.
Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown acknowledged the loss of Morgan Wakefield in a vehicular accident on Sept. 9, and said it was a very sad situation.
In his department updates, he said 200th Road was complete, with 70th near Galesburg, and 40th Road to be completed next.
Brown expects to begin receiving bids to remove the North Island Bridge on Veterans Road soon. He noted that when the new bridge is built, it will be realigned with the road and said right-of-way may have to be obtained.
Brown said the county’s Halloween at the Park event will take place on Oct. 25, and he plans to bring machines out for children to look at.
He said he will speak with both the Kansas Department of Transportation and Union Pacific to discuss improvements to the road and railroad crossing at 10th and Highway 59.
Payment for Inspection services from CFS Design was approved, totaling $112,400. A $98,200 payment for engineering services for the North Island Bridge was also approved. Both payments will come from the road and bridge sales tax.
The next county commission meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Neosho County Courthouse. Agendas can be viewed at www.neoshocountyks, and meetings are livestreamed to the Neosho County Commission You-Tube Channel.
