ERIE — The Neosho County Commission on Monday approved several departmental requests regarding personnel, discussed ongoing budget concerns and confirmed that the Elk Road bridge near the Neosho River is set to open this week, ahead of the holiday.
Commission Chair Nicholas Galemore called the Nov. 18 meeting to order. No public comments were offered, and commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda.
Deputy 911 Director Tasha Thurman of the 911 dispatch center briefed commissioners on renewed interlocal agreements with Erie. The county currently charges $800 per month, but with rising costs, Thurman asked for an increase in the agreement. Commissioners agreed a $200 increase was reasonable and approved the new agreement.
Thurman also reported the department was awarded a state critical-mapping grant covering four school buildings: Erie High School, St. Paul, Galesburg Middle School and Thayer. The grant provides about $10,000 per building for digital mapping and safety floor plans.
However, the required $585 per-site annual maintenance fee is not covered. Commissioners questioned why the ongoing cost was excluded from the grant and asked Thurman to speak with school superintendents about sharing or assuming the annual fee.
“We like the idea for safety, but the setup of the grant doesn’t make sense,” Galemore said. Commissioner Gail Klaassen added that schools should help fund the system, noting the maps are primarily for school safety.
Thurman said the mapping will be “extremely helpful,” especially for buildings where the county does not have updated blueprints.
She also noted her department is running close to budget because an assistant director salary had not been included in the original projection.
Deputy Treasurer Keely Dodge updated the commission after local banks stopped providing pennies. With no state guidance on rounding cash payments, Dodge said offices are improvising, often asking the public for spare coins.
Commissioners discussed adopting a rounding policy—such as rounding $0.01 to $0.04 down, and $0.05 to $0.09 up— but took no action. Klaassen questioned whether the county should move toward cashless transactions if penny shortages continue, but Galemore did not think that was something they could do.
Maintenance Director David Burnett presented a $7,940 quote from Glass Depot, LLC for basement window well covers designed to reduce flooding and prevent the courthouse basement windows from becoming “fish bowls.” After discussion, Commissioner Gail Klaassen moved to approve the purchase, and Commissioner Paul Westhoff seconded.
Galemore voted against the measure.
Burnett also sought approval to sell unused county property, including dozens of filing cabinets and desks, through sealed bids submitted to the clerk’s office. Commissioners supported the plan and asked for a full inventory list at the next meeting.
The aging generator at the Extension building also drew attention. The 1981 unit, which supports the nearby 911 tower, leaks about four gallons of antifreeze per year and has no direct replacement. Repair labor is estimated at $5,833, with an additional $2,400 needed to reconnect backup power. Crawford County Emergency Management offered a loaner generator at no charge. Commissioners expressed openness to purchasing a new, smaller natural-gas unit rather than investing in extensive repairs.
Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown reported that safety training for employees went well and that staff participated in Erie High School’s career day.
The Elk Road–Neosho River bridge project is nearly complete, with a final walkthrough set for Friday. Despite recent rain delaying the planned overlay, Brown said the bridge could possibly be opened safely for the holiday, but everything is all depending upon favorable weather for the final touches.
Galemore said she had received numerous calls urging the county to open the bridge. Brown noted the timeline remains on schedule.
Overlay work south of the bridge is planned but weather-
dependent.
The Commission voted unanimously to approve a letter of support for SEKAN Coordinated Transit District No. 10.
Galemore chose to comment on recent RHID (Reinvestment Housing Incentive District) activity, noting a lack of communication with the commissioners regarding multi-million-dollar tax abatements involving USD 413, Neosho County Community College and the City of Chanute. “We’re not against development,” Galemore said. “But it can’t all fall on the citizens.”
More information about the RHID will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Chanute Tribune.
Westhoff adjourned, and the meeting concluded.
The next Neosho County Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Neosho County Courthouse.
