Shawnee County commissioners approve a string of year‑end transfers and renew technology and facilities contracts

Shawnee County commissioners approved multiple year‑end financial and procurement items on Dec. 29, authorizing transfers and contracts intended to close out the 2025 fiscal year and prepare for 2026 work.

Key approvals included establishing a process automation project fund for the county clerk's office and transferring remaining 2025 clerk funds into it to support contractor work on automation; moving remaining contingency funds to an elections electronic poll‑book project (Jennifer Sauer said bond funding is unsuitable for poll books given their service life); and transfers within facilities management including $20,000 into a vehicle‑leasing fund, $10,000 for continued building rekeying, and remainder of the facilities budget toward courthouse restroom renovations.

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Lorett requested a transfer up to 1% of the parks and recreation 2025 total budget into a building maintenance/park improvement fund, estimating that 1% would amount to roughly $100,000–$150,000; an assistant clarified the board that the 1% is of total budget, not of remaining funds. The Department of Corrections was authorized to transfer unexpected 2025 detention funds into an off‑site medical expenditures fund that pays bills that can arrive in subsequent years.

In information technology, commissioners approved transferring $150,000 into an IT project fund to buy computers (Mark Price said many current machines cannot be upgraded to Windows 11); they also approved moving remaining 2025 IT budget balances to an IT retirement fund to cover payouts for vacation and sick leave at employee retirement. IT support and licensing renewals approved included Contract C548-2025 with Logicalis for annual Cisco Smart Net support ($38,307.02) and Contract C549-2025 with SHI for Microsoft Exchange Online and Azure prepayment services ($206,865.19). Court administration received approval to encumber up to $54,152 for AV upgrades in the Jury Assembly Room (Contract C547-2025 with Scitech Media Systems Inc.).

Human Resources was authorized to transfer $5,000 to the wellness fund. Commissioners approved all items by unanimous vote (3-0).

The actions are intended to carry the county through year‑end needs, support upcoming procurement and capital projects, and address equipment compatibility and operational requirements for 2026.