The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, September 10, 2026. Present at the meeting were: Curtis Livengood, Presiding Commissioner; Jim Quimby, North District Commissioner; Richard Burke, South District Commissioner; Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission; and Okema Galston, Administrative Assistant of the Commission.

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 following additions to the tax books were approved: Personal Property (August 2026) – Additions to the tax books: 2025, $2,919.17; 2024, $471.90.

The current lease holder of the county’s hay ground has asked about changing the next bid date and contract dates of the hay ground to coincide with fertilizing timeline. Most farmers will fertilize hay ground in March. The current lease is set to expire in May 2027. If the dates are moved, the current lease agreement will end on February 28, 2027, and new lease will start March 1, 2027. The commissioners voted to approve the change of bid dates and contract dates for the leasing of 11.5 acres of hay ground. The bid will be posted in January.

Jack Wiley, building maintenance supervisor, provided three bids for applying sealant on the lower parking in front of the courthouse. The concrete is eroding and flaking off. The quotes under review were: Larkin Sealants & Waterproofing, L.L.C, $8,400; Thrasher, $17,000; and Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. $19,920. Larkin and Mid-Continental use the same product, ProSoCo Salt Guard WB, and Thrasher has their own product. In review and discussion of the quotes, the commission brought in Building Maintenance Supervisor Wiley to get his thoughts on the best avenue. Not knowing if sealing of the concrete will stop the current issues, all decided that spending the lesser amount for sealing was the best option at this time. The commissioners voted to accept and sign the bid from Larkin Sealants & Waterproofing L.L.C.

The commissioners received a bid for the old SUV from the Sheriff’s Department. After discussion the commission decided to keep the SUV for county use.

County Clerk Taylor presented the commission with the 2025 financial preliminary audit report performed by McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC. There were no significant findings.

The commissioners reviewed the 2027 health insurance proposals provided by HIC. Amy Meinecke, deputy clerk, provided health benefit cost summaries for three separate options. The commissioners voted to accept the new proposal for 2027, giving the employees one option that will be 100% paid by the county and additional options with lower deductibles they can select at their own cost.

Discussion was held regarding creating a committee of community members to aid in the feasibility study of a new law enforcement facility.

The commission has decided to move forward with changing the county’s agent of record and utilizing a company that specializes in public entities. Mike Keith Insurance, Inc. (MKi) provides insurance coverage to public entities. The commission decided to sign with MKi to try and optimize coverage for Atchison County. The commission feels that MKi can offer more assistance to limit liability and that the citizens’ tax dollars are being spent with a broker that specializes in public entities and county government. The commissioners voted to sign the necessary forms to change the agent of record for Atchison County’s property and liability coverage.