Franklin County commissioners approve bridge design work, IT invoices and set 2027 budget hearing

Chair Sabrina Meador called the Board of Franklin County Commissioners to order at 8:30 a.m. on July 15 at the Franklin County Annex Building. The board took unanimous action on several routine but budgetary items, ranging from infrastructure planning to software maintenance and publication of the county’s 2027 budget notice.

The commission approved the consent agenda, moved by Commissioner Colton Waymire and seconded by Commissioner Rod Harris. The consent package included approval of the July 8, 2026 minutes, ambulance adjustments totaling $105,024.14 and awarding a culvert bid to Welborn Sales, Inc. for $55,521.11. All five commissioners voted yes.

Jeff Welton, public works director, presented a proposed agreement with CFS Engineers to provide design surveys, plans and cost estimates for replacement of Bridge No. 17.4-8 (4.5 miles east and 1.9 miles north of Pomona on Indiana Road). Welton told the commission that funds have been awarded to Franklin County by the Kansas Department of Transportation to replace the bridge; the design agreement is for $78,400. Commissioner Ianne Dickinson moved to sign the agreement; Commissioner Donald Stottlemire seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Dustin Coureton, information technology director, described annual invoices for ERP Pro 10 hosted with Tyler Technologies and related services from Tyler University and CivicPlus, explaining those costs are budgeted in the IT fund’s software maintenance line. The board voted to approve the invoices, totaling $91,468.06, on a motion by Commissioner Colton Waymire and second by Commissioner Rod Harris.

Janet Paddock, county clerk and finance officer, presented the 2027 budget summary page to be published ahead of the budget hearing and recommended Aug. 5, 2026 as the hearing date. The board voted to set that public hearing and authorized the county clerk to publish the budget notice in the Ottawa Herald with an estimated mill rate not to exceed 42.803. The motion was made by Commissioner Colton Waymire and seconded by Commissioner Ianne Dickinson.

Staff reports were given by Derek Brown (county administrator), Paul Bean (FCDC director), Jeff Richards (sheriff), Jeff Welton (public works director) and Janet Paddock (county clerk). The meeting adjourned at 8:44 a.m. after a unanimous vote to close the session.