Commission approves a bundle of public‑works contracts, petitions and gym upgrades

Geary County commissioners approved a series of petitions and contracts at their meeting, and allocated up to $18,000 from the 1% transient guest tax fund for gym upgrades.

The most immediate financial action authorized the county to pay up to $18,000 from the 1% TGT revenue to buy a scoreboard and fold‑down seating for a community gym to support sporting tournaments. A presenter asked the commission for seating and scoreboard money to enable the facility to host volleyball, basketball and pickleball events; after discussion a motion to fund the improvements was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Public Works Administrator Jeremy Myers recommended and the commission approved several routine petitions and maintenance contracts. The commission approved Cox Communication’s petition to install customer drops in the Cedar Estates area with coordination required with the local water district. Commissioners also approved a petition to install fiber along Old Highway 77, with a requirement that contractors keep infrastructure toward the edge of the right‑of‑way to avoid ditch flow lines.

Myers advised the commission on a retroactive petition process for a new entrance installed on Easy Jack Road. He said the property owner used properly sized concrete pipe and was advised to file the request so the county maintains an official record; the commission approved the filing.

On facilities contracts, the commission approved renewal of Thermal Comfort Air (TCA) preventative‑maintenance HVAC contracts for county buildings (PM pricing unchanged for 2026–27; out‑of‑scope hourly rate adjusted from $78 to $80). The commissioners also authorized a one‑year auto‑renewal of the Siemens fire‑system contract for the sheriff’s office (annual cost stated as $17,490.85), noting the system’s proprietary nature.

Myers reported a failed surge protector at Sewer Number 4 (Laurel Canyon). Shelly Electric determined the originally specified protector was not suitable for the site’s higher voltage; the commission approved replacing it with individual line protectors at an estimated cost of $4,300 and a 15‑year warranty.

The commission moved forward with an East Street repair plan after Wildcat Construction provided a $10,000 check to cover construction‑related deterioration. Myers presented an estimate of $44,020 for a leveling course and two‑inch overlay on the county’s portion; commissioners agreed to apply the $10,000 toward that cost and pursue a maintenance‑swap agreement with the city to coordinate contracting and traffic control.

Actions taken were routine approvals to keep county infrastructure and services operating; next steps include drafting needed intergovernmental agreements, scheduling preconstruction meetings and executing the listed contracts.