County approves IT, corrections and HR contracts, reusing CIP funds and renewing inmate-work agreement

The commission approved several operational contracts and a price adjustment during its Jan. 29 meeting.

Mark Price, director of information technology, presented contract C2026025 to purchase four Ruckus network switches for $43,512.87. Price said the county is reallocating CIP Project 124 funds because a planned conduit installation by the city removed the county cost; the purchase preserves CIP funding for immediate network needs. "This is for the replacement of 4 network switches throughout the county. Some of these are hitting end of life and this will allow for the replacement," Price said. Commissioner Mays moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Cook seconded; the vote was 3-0.

Brian Cole of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections presented renewal contract C2026022 with the City of Topeka to provide an inmate work crew and supervisor for 2026. Cole said the city covers staff salaries, benefits and inmate compensation, and the program has been a useful partnership. The commission approved the renewal 3-0.

Angela Lewis, director of administrative services, described addendum C2026026 implementing the first Compliance 1 rate increase since 2003: a $0.20 per-member monthly increase for random-selection drug testing; a $1 increase (from $55 to $56) for the five-panel specimen, evidential breath alcohol and saliva tests; and a $2 increase (from $88 to $90) for hair tests. The commission approved the addendum 3-0.

All three items were presented as routine renewals or capital replacements and were approved by voice vote.