The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, and Chelsey Schmidt, County Clerk, were present.
Others present: Billy Kryger- Pastor Berean Baptist Church Ryan Michaelis, County Appraiser, gave a report on the Appraiser’s Office. Discussion was held regarding Data Centers and Morris County’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The current Neighborhood Revitalization Plan has no maximum amount of value that can be eligible for reimbursement. The commissioners would like to amend the plan, adding language for a value cap. The item was tabled.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to recess the commission meeting to view the Community Building. Motion carried.
The commission meeting was recessed at 9:55 a.m. The commission meeting resumed at 10:30 a.m.
Justin Shonamon, with Anthem Concrete Coatings, attended the commission meeting via telephone. Discussion was held regarding the recent grind and seal work that was done on the community building floor. The project was finished on August 6th. Due to the excessive amount of rainfall that evening and high humidity levels, the polish applied to the floors did not cure properly. The contractor has already reground the floor and will be in communication with the County Clerk to reapply the epoxy coating.
Scott Coover, County Sheriff, gave report on the Sheriff’s Office, Jail and Dispatch. The county currently has 14 inmates; 5 are housed here in Morris County, 4 in Wabaunsee County, 2 in Chase County, 2 in Dickinson County and 1 in Osage County. The departments passed their recent inspection with the State Fire Marshall.
Discussion was held regarding updating Morris County’s election equipment. Morris County utilizes the “central count” process, meaning that ballots from multiple precincts are tabulated at a central location (Morris County Courthouse). The current OpenElect Mini Central Scanner that is used at the courthouse was purchased in 2017. The past several years the scanner has had increasing difficulty scanning the ballots and it has become a very slow process on election night as all precincts arrive at the courthouse. Two FreedomVote Precinct Scanners were purchased in 2024. These precinct scanners are used for early in-person voting and at the Council Grove and White City polling locations.
A quote was presented from Adkins Election Services and Unisyn Voting Solutions for the purchase of two FreedomVote Precinct Scanners and one FreedomVote Tablet Ballot Marking Device in the total amount of $15,165.00; there is a three- year, interest free, financing option available. Chelsey Schmidt, Morris County Clerk & Election Officer, reports that there is $5,000.00 budgeted in the proposed 2027 Capital Outlay Election Budget.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the quote from Adkins Election Services and Unisyn Voting Solutions for the purchase of two FreedomVote Precinct Scanners and one FreedomVote Tablet Ballot Marking Device, in the total amount of $15,165.00. Three annual payments, with 0% interest, will be made in the amount of $5,055.00. Funds are to be paid from the annual Election Capital Outlay Budget. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve minutes from the August 18th, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $33,761.59. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $28,912.27 Road & Bridge: $2,321.36 Special Bridge: $800.00 Reappraisal: $65.46 Noxious Weed: $15.00 Solid Waste: $85.00 Morris County 911: $136.48 DARE Program: $240.00 Treas Special Auto: $1,186.02 Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve payroll liabilities as presented; in the total amount of $47,371.63. Motion carried.
Shelly Lautt and Brett Wright gave the following public works report for the week of August 17th -21st: Road & Bridge: Slough Creek Quarry road rock was hauled to 1700 Rd. from J-P, Old Hwy 4 from 300-600, J Ave. from 900-1050, 1050 Rd. from J-K, K Ave. from 1050-1100, H Ave.
from 1900-2000, K Ave. from 20002100, 2200 Rd. from D-F, 2600 Rd. from A-B, 2800 Rd. from F-G and 1050 Rd. from M-Q Creek gravel was placed on 500 Rd. from J-K Ditch work was completed on 625 Rd. from M-P and riprap was placed at the culvert Ditch liner was placed in the east ditch on 2800 Rd. between D-F to add stabilization Two new crossroad culverts were installed at 1050 Rd. and K Ave.; the north ditch on K Ave. to the new intersection was also cleaned and realigned Box culvert replacement work was done on 1050 Rd. between J-K; two 48” culverts were installed Shoulder and ditch work was done on 3100 Rd. from K-M (minimum maintenance) Low water crossing washout was repaired on 1100 Rd. between G-H Routine sign work was done across the county Mowing was done on the Burdick, Delavan, Latimer and White City routes Shelly filed the request for reimbursement to KDOT for the Federal Fund Exchange Program Recycle: A load of cardboard was sent out Emergency Management: Brett responded to a fire incident in White City Working with CrossWinds on an active shooter drill Working with USD 417 on a relocation drill Two bids were received for various types and sizes of grader and trailer tires. The bids are as follows: 14.00 R 24 Bridgestone Rock Lugs - The Tire Shop: $1,300.00/ each, POMPS Tire Service Inc.: $1,339.35/each; 14.00 R 24 Bridgestone Turf - The Tire Shop: $1,200.00/each, POMPS Tire Service Inc.: $1,586.93/each; 14.00 R 24 Galaxy Rock Lugs - The Tire Shop: $1,050.00.each, POMPS Tire Service Inc.: $763.00/each; 14.00 R 24 Galaxy Turf - The Tire Shop: No Bid, POMPS Tire Service Inc.: $869.00/each; Carlisle 235/80R16 Trailer Tires - The Tire Shop: $160.00/each, POMPS Tire Service Inc.: $135.00/each.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the bids from The Tire Shop, for the purchase of (20) Bridgestone Rock Lug Tires at $1,300.00 each, (6) Bridgestone Turf Tires at $1,200.00 each, and (8) Carlisle Trailer Tires at $160.00 each; for a total of $34,480.00. Funds are to be paid from the Road & Bridge Fund. Motion carried.
Commissioner Barber (Kohler) moved to approve the permit as presented, from Wardcraft Home to transport through Morris County. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
--Meeting minutes will be published on the county website: www. morriscountyks.org