The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, August 28, 2025. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and South District Commissioner Richard Burke. Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission, was absent. Deputy Clerk Okema Galston sat in to record the minutes.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.
Matthew Fazio, Great River Engineering, met with the commission to provide an update on the current BRO projects with Road and Bridge office assistant Allison Cherry present. Matthew Fazio also presented three contracts for the additional bridges with scour issues: BRO-002 (K Avenue Bridge over Rock Creek), BRO-003 (T Avenue Bridge over Tarkio Tributary), and BRO-004 (T Avenue Bridge over Little Tark).
The commission reviewed and approved all three contracts.
Sheriff Andy Riley met with the commission to request the commission set up a combined meeting with school boards and administration from all three schools regarding a School Resource Officer (SRO).
The commission opened and reviewed bids for the pasture ground. Chad Ottmann submitted the only bid, for $76.51 per acre for the 38 acres. This being the current price he is paying and the only bid received, the commission voted to accept the bid.
The commission opened and reviewed bids received for the repaving of the Pleasant View parking lot. There was one bid from J-Mac Asphalt Paving along with their proof of insurance. The commission decided to table the bid as they wanted more information.
The commission began the 2025 property inspections.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, September 4, 2025. Present for the meeting were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Clerk of the Commission Susette Taylor.
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.
John Hickman with HIC was present to review renewal rates for county employee health insurance for 2026. Human Resource Deputy Amy Meinecke was present for the presentation and review. John reviewed claim history to date, provided renewal rates for 2026, as well as presenting rate quotes from Blue Cross and explained an opportunity to join a new group option. Final rates will be provided before the next commission meeting. The county is currently on November 1 renewal for health insurance and January 1 for all other benefits.
Clerk Taylor reported that all levy rates have been certified by the state for the 2025 tax year, and requested the commission set the 2025 ag rock levy. The commissioners voted to approve the ag rock levy at .7000 per ag acre.
The commission reviewed the bid for resurfacing the Pleasant View parking lot. The only bid received was from J-Mac Asphalt Paving in the amount of $55,200.00. After review and discussion, the commissioners voted to accept the bid.
Sheriff Andy Riley and Administrative Assistant Amy Fergusen were present for a meeting with HMN Architects. Adam Kuehl, architect, and Shawn Harding, senior associate director of business development, gave an overview of who HMN is and services they offer. HMN is a full-service architectural, interior design, and planning firm based in Overland Park, Kansas. They connect with their clients and work to transform the way communities see architecture and inspire them through great design. They have sustained a good reputation as being a successful justice design firm specializing in the Midwest region. They understand the unique hurdles counties face today. This is the third firm that the commission and Sheriff Riley have met with as they continue to thoroughly research the best options for the citizens of Atchison County.
The bid opening date for fuel, propane and rock was set for September 25.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
