Lyon County commissioners approved entering contract negotiations Thursday with Kirkham Michael and Associates for engineering services on a federally funded road safety project that will update passing zones, replace signage and restripe county roads.
County Engineer Wayne Schritchfield said Lyon County received funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation's High Risk Rural Roads program last fall. The project includes evaluating existing passing zones on county asphalt roads, updating pavement markings and replacing traffic signs where needed.
Because the project is funded entirely with federal dollars through KDOT, engineering firms had to be selected based on qualifications rather than cost. Schritchfield said seven engineering firms were invited to participate, four submitted qualifications and a three-member committee consisting of Road and Bridge employees independently evaluated each proposal.
The committee unanimously ranked Kirkham Michael as the most qualified firm.
Commissioners discussed whether additional consideration should be given to companies with offices in Lyon County because of their local economic impact. Schritchfield said one of the competing firms indicated portions of the work would be completed through offices outside the county, meaning much of the work would not necessarily be performed locally.
Commissioner Doug Peck said while he preferred supporting local businesses whenever possible, he believed the county should rely on the expertise of the engineering staff who evaluated the proposals.
"I don't like leaving the hometown people out one bit," Peck said. "But four people knowing what they're doing versus me, I don't want to second-guess them on engineering, so I'm going to take your expertise and your education."
The commission unanimously approved entering negotiations with Kirkham Michael. Schritchfield said KDOT will review the firm's proposed hours and fees during negotiations. If an agreement cannot be reached, the county could begin negotiations with the second-ranked firm. He estimated engineering costs at roughly $60,000 as part of a project expected to total about $642,000, all funded through KDOT.
In other business, commissioners accepted the county's 2025 financial audit presented by A&G Consultants.
Auditor Harold Mayes reported Lyon County's unencumbered cash balance increased by approximately $4.5 million during 2025, primarily because of bond proceeds. The county's general fund, however, decreased by just over $1 million during the year.
Mayes said the audit found the county's financial statements were fairly presented under the Kansas Municipal Audit and Accounting Guide and identified no significant issues with county accounting practices or internal controls.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 11-26 declaring certain uncollected personal property taxes from 2002 through 2005 dormant. County Counselor Molly Priest said the resolution removes approximately $35,400 in long-uncollectible taxes from the county's books for accounting purposes while preserving the county's ability to pursue collection if circumstances change.
During his department report, Schritchfield updated commissioners on several ongoing road and bridge projects, including shoulder work on Americus Road, replacement of a culvert on Road 70 and plans to redeck a bridge on Road 150. He also said county staff continues researching options to address agricultural drainage being directed into county road ditches, noting current state law does not clearly prohibit the practice and the county may need to consider adopting its own resolution.
The commission also approved payment of $1,174,361.37 in warrants, $398,023.81 in payroll and $295,905.37 in payroll withholdings. Commissioners were also informed the county's unemployment tax rate will remain at 0.1%, the lowest rate allowed by the state.