ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — A resurfacing project on 1400 Road north of Iola could begin sooner than expected. Allen County Commissioners were informed Tuesday Bettis Construction can start this project Wednesday, as they had an opening on their schedule. It’s expected this work will take between 4-5 days. The Commission gave their approval to proceed, with billing on the project to be arranged in such a way the final payment to be made after the first of the year.
In his report, Road and Bridge Supervisor Jeremy Hopkins said recent rains have slowed chip seal work. On a pavement removal project on old US 54 at Piqua Hill, Hopkins said they ran into a problem with the asphalt there, which is so dry and brittle it’s coming up in chunks that make it difficult to produce millings. Work is scheduled to begin soon on West Virginia Road west of Mildred.
In his quarterly report, EMS Director Michael Burnett mentioned their call volume has been down over the past three months. He reported the ambulance remount is about 2/3rds complete and was given permission to purchase two recliners for the Humboldt station from Westco for $1,199.
Commissioners approved a $1,500 donation to the Elsmore Ruritan Club for the 57th annual Elsmore Day Sept. 13. Ruritan president Bill Fewin said the event includes a parade, pulled pork lunch, kids games and activities, and an evening bean feed.
The Commission approved signing of a new Emergency Operations Plan for the County which had been presented last week after being approved by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. County Counselor Bob Johnson reported the delinquent tax lawsuit has been filed in Allen County District Court. A tax sale at this point is anticipated to take place late this year or early I 2026.
Iola resident Arlyn Briggs discussed a number of issues with the commission, one of which dealt with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, including something that he experienced personally with them, and encouraged them to continue working on this issue. Briggs also discussed road issues, and in that he encouraged the Commission to keep a close eye on this, citing information that the US 54/59 junction at Moran sees the highest concentration of agricultural traffic in Kansas.
