The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, February 5, 2026. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Okema Galston, Deputy Clerk. Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission, was out of the office.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.
Month-end department reports were reviewed and approved.
The commission continued discussion regarding SB 3 and Section 137.1055 about how the requirements of the statute could adversely affect the county and political subdivisions within the county. Presiding Commissioner Livengood has been in contact with Chris Burns, Nodaway County Commissioner, as they have the same opinion on SB 3. After lengthy discussion and advice from the county’s legal team the commission still stands to take no action currently.
Jessica Shefferd with the Soil & Water Conservation Department was in to discuss funding that the department receives from the state and federal level. She also mentioned that the employees’ insurance and training are paid for by donations from local funds. Shefferd understands that the county has already completed the 2026 budget but wanted to be on the commissioners’ radar for future years for county funds to help offset the cost of insurance and training. They feel that funding from the county would help with employee retention. Shefferd also stated that employees of the Soil & Water Conservation Department are not state employees, they are their own county department.
Deputy Clerk Galston reminded the commission that the Extension’s annual meeting is Monday, February 9, and the Cooper dress rehearsal is Tuesday, February 17.
Sheriff Andy Riley was unable to be present and sent his Chief Deputy Travis Cochenour to present the law enforcement agreement with the City of Rock Port. The commission reviewed the contract between Atchison County and the City of Rock Port for the purpose of enforcing criminal and traffic ordinances. After review, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
Chief Deputy Cochenour asked if he could discuss matters regarding an employee in closed session.
The commissioners voted unanimously to move into closed session according to RSMo 610.021 subsection (2).
They then voted unanimously to move out of closed session.
Deputy Clerk Galston presented Flood Plain Permit #2026-01 for review. The permit was for a BNSF Culvert 0016-132.04: Napier Subdivision – culvert replacement. Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley has reviewed the permit and recommended approval. Presiding Commissioner called in Road and Bridge Supervisor Kenny Wallace and Road & Bridge Deputy Allison Cherry to discuss past projects with BNSF and if the county was charged any fees for flagging or other items. Supervisor Wallace was unaware of anything but will call Olson and check. After discussion, it was decided to wait on signing the permit application until the commissioners hear back from Supervisor Wallace.
Emergency Management/911 Director Wiley was in to see if the commission had signed the Floodplain Permit Application #2026-01. She was informed that the commissioners are waiting to hear from Road and Bridge Supervisor Kenny Wallace to get back with them after he speaks with Olsson. Wiley also discussed department updates and that the newest employee was doing great and picking things up quickly. There was also some discussion regarding preparing for Rhonda’s retirement.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
––
The Atchison County Commission did not meet Thursday, February 12, 2026, due to President’s Day.
––
The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, February 19, 2026. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Deputy Amy Meinecke. Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission, attended training provided by the State Tax Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.
Month-end department reports were reviewed and approved.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Kenny Wallace reported back to the commission at 9:00 a.m. regarding being charged to flag for railroad repairs. He found that the work was completed approximately 1.5 years ago and BNSF failed to contact the county.
Supervisor Wallace will bring the BNSF flood plain ordinance back in and Flood Plain Administrator Rhonda Wiley also has a copy.
Wallace presented state bid contracts from Murphy Tractor for a mower for the 210P Excavator for $65,000.00 and mower attachment for $18,425.00. Both items were included in the 2026 budget and approved. Purchase agreements were signed by Presiding Commissioner Livengood.
The commission met with Emergency Management/911 Director Rhonda Wiley at 9:30 a.m. She reported that her recent new hire quit via email. She presented the 2026 Region H hazmat agreement for review. The commissioners voted to approve and sign the agreement in the amount of $1,326.00. Director Wiley noticed an error on the invoice and called the required party to get a corrected invoice. The agreement stated $1,326 and the invoice showed $1,316.
A bid opening was held at 10:00 a.m. for new equipment at 911 and the Sheriff’s office to move to voice over IP. Director Wiley reviewed why the need to move to the new equipment was important.
Present for the bid opening were Emergency Management/911 Director Wiley, Sheriff Andy Riley, a representative of Midwest Mobile Radio, and a representative of InDigital.
Bids submitted were:
• Bid for Sheriff’s Radio Console
Midwest Mobile: Equipment and installation, $38,557; maintenance, $8,575.24 for five years, includes everything.
• Bid for 911 Radio Console
Midwest Mobile: Equipment and installation, $132,834.09; maintenance, $60,040 for five years, includes everything, covers tower repair labor but not parts.
• 911 Voice Recorder
Nelson: Equipment and installation, $54,236.97; maintenance (first year included), $6,039 – $7,463 for years 2-5.
• 911 Digital Call Handling
Commenco: Equipment, installation, and maintenance, $192,843.39 for five years.
INDigital: Equipment and installation, $137,393.07; maintenance, $9,076.13 for year 1, $19,326.71 per year for years 2-5.
• 911 CAD
INDigital: Equipment and installation, $58,789.42; maintenance, first year included, $9,808.68 per year for years 2-5.
Discussion was also had about a mobile 911 call center (Suitcase) for $6,000.
The commissioners voted unanimously to table a decision to allow time to look over the bids carefully and make sure the equipment would meet the needs of the department for the future.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood requested that the commission meet again with Director Wiley to go over the bids in detail. Director Wiley suggested meeting at the 911 center so she could better demonstrate how the new equipment would work. A tentative date of March 5 was set.
Bids for the new outside entrance on the south side of the courthouse were opened and read at 11:00 a.m. Smith Brothers submitted the only bid, which was $8,700.00 for materials and installation. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve and accept the bid.
Ben Aldrich with Murphy Tractor stopped in to give the commission a plaque and a plate for the new road grader.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
