Grant County Commissioners met at 9 a.m., Monday, October 6, with the Pledge of Allegiance opening the session. The meeting featured a full agenda of county business. Commissioner John Martin was absent.
Sheriff James Biddle presented information on the purchase of a new 2025 Dodge Durango for the department. The total estimated cost to equip the vehicle is $46,000.
The commissioners also discussed the purchase of an AI-powered voice recorder to assist the County Clerk’s Office with recording and transcribing meeting minutes.
Shaun Minks of Grant County Road and Bridge provided updates on recent oil truck repairs and requested approval to roll over one week of vacation time for three department employees. The department also discussed potential property purchases for county use.
Josh Sullivan and Bob Dale addressed Kansas House Bill 2304, recently signed into law. The bill requires local governments to report information about local economic development incentive programs to the Secretary of Commerce. The data will be made public through an online database maintained by the Kansas Department of Commerce, increasing transparency on local incentive programs.
Mary Honstead requested approval to purchase 50 chicken pens for the fairgrounds at a cost of $4,500. Commissioners chose to table the decision for further discussion, it was noted possibly limiting entries might allow for only 25 pens to be needed instead.
Commissioners also heard a proposal for updated stage and sound equipment for the Civic Center. The request included a power amplifier, microphone drawer, sound console rack, and related equipment at a total cost of $1,866.49. The upgrades are intended to modernize and improve audio performance for community events.
Sabrina Gaddis from the Grant County Community Foundation shared updates on the organization’s recent activities, noting that approximately 70 people attended the Chamber Coffee hosted at their new location.
The meeting concluded with discussion of ongoing projects at the Grant County Airport, including fencing, air conditioning, and roofing improvements. One recent bid for the fence came in at $897,000, with the county responsible for 5 percent of the total cost. No decision was made as commissioners continue to review bids to determine the most cost-effective option.
Commissioners will meet in a special session at 6 p.m., Thursday October 9.
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