Public works opens demolition and culvert bids, approves repairs and ARPA truck purchase
March 02, 2026 | Linn County, Kansas
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Jesse Waddell, public works director, told the commission staff opened multiple competitive bids for the old jail demolition and for culvert materials and delivery; commissioners asked staff to qualify the bids and return with recommendations next week.
Waddell said landfill trucks under construction will be paid for with ARPA funds and that he will request $243,473.80 in ARPA money within the next one to two weeks. "I did send out an email to the treasurer's office and the clerk's office, letting them know I'd be requesting funds here in the next week or 2, for the amount of $243,473.80," Waddell said.
The commission approved several maintenance and repair items brought by public works. It authorized payment of $5,599.85 for an overhead door repair at the Pleasanton shop after a motion and voice vote. It also authorized staff to spend up to $19,000 to replace brakes and a transmission clutch pack on a county tractor; Waddell had provided an estimate of about $18,109.47 and requested authority to approve up to $19,000 to cover the repair.
Waddell described diagnostic work on a grader that identified a motor problem. He recommended using a rebuilt motor with warranty considerations; the commission approved up to $57,000 to cover the initial cost of pulling the pump and rebuilding/replacing the motor, to ensure warranty coverage through a wider dealer network if the county chooses a Caterpillar warranty.
On hauling, Waddell presented a comparison that showed a roughly $1.50-per-ton difference and noted road/haul conditions; commissioners agreed to continue hauling county waste to the Allen County landfill.
Commissioners also discussed community spring cleanups and a Tanglewood Lakes request for a landfill charge account; they generally preferred not to rent roll-off dumpsters or create routine charge accounts except for high-volume commercial customers.
No procurement awards were finalized at the meeting; staff will qualify bids and return with recommendations.
Waddell said landfill trucks under construction will be paid for with ARPA funds and that he will request $243,473.80 in ARPA money within the next one to two weeks. "I did send out an email to the treasurer's office and the clerk's office, letting them know I'd be requesting funds here in the next week or 2, for the amount of $243,473.80," Waddell said.
The commission approved several maintenance and repair items brought by public works. It authorized payment of $5,599.85 for an overhead door repair at the Pleasanton shop after a motion and voice vote. It also authorized staff to spend up to $19,000 to replace brakes and a transmission clutch pack on a county tractor; Waddell had provided an estimate of about $18,109.47 and requested authority to approve up to $19,000 to cover the repair.
Waddell described diagnostic work on a grader that identified a motor problem. He recommended using a rebuilt motor with warranty considerations; the commission approved up to $57,000 to cover the initial cost of pulling the pump and rebuilding/replacing the motor, to ensure warranty coverage through a wider dealer network if the county chooses a Caterpillar warranty.
On hauling, Waddell presented a comparison that showed a roughly $1.50-per-ton difference and noted road/haul conditions; commissioners agreed to continue hauling county waste to the Allen County landfill.
Commissioners also discussed community spring cleanups and a Tanglewood Lakes request for a landfill charge account; they generally preferred not to rent roll-off dumpsters or create routine charge accounts except for high-volume commercial customers.
No procurement awards were finalized at the meeting; staff will qualify bids and return with recommendations.
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