ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — During Tuesday’s Allen County Commission meeting, Commissioner David Lee was appointed as one of the two Allen County Representatives on the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center board. Commissioner John Brocker was appointed as Lee’s alternate.
Commissioners discussed other board appointments that will be coming in 2026, and at this point it’s known there will be a vacancy to fill next year on the Hospital Board.,
Concrete work connected with a new hangar to be built by a private individual at Allen County Airport will, weather permitting, begin around Jan. 19. Public Works Director Mitch Garner told Commissioners tearing out of old concrete and pouring the new should take about a week, with another week to allow it to cure. This also involves a minor relocation of a taxiway in the vicinity.
Allen County Commissioners Tuesday deferred action on striping bids for Old Highway 169 north of Iola and 1600 Road south of Delaware Road. Road and Bridge Supervisor Jeremy Hopkins said he only received one bid for that work, at a cost of just under $32,000 for about 10.5 miles of striping. Another company contract had already put away their striping equipment for the year. In the interim Hopkins said he could down flex markers.
Hopkins and Commissioners also discussed chip seal plans for 2026, with Commissioners asking that a list of roads to be sealed be put out so residents have an idea as to what work will be done and when.
The Commission approved a contract with Jared Gilmore and Phillips for audit services related to bonds issued through the Hospital Board.
Commissioner David Lee brought up a concern passed on from one of the Bourbon County Commissioners regarding days when the Allen County Landfill is closed, which Garner said he will furnish.
Commissioners also discussed cost of living increases for county employees, with a decision to be made later this month. The county provided for an up to five percent raise in the adopted 2026 budget.
