Allen County Economic Development and the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce are working to promote shopping in businesses being impacted by a waterline replacement project along the Madison Street side of the Square.
Economic Development director Camille Lavon discussed this with Allen County Commissioners Tuesday, saying they are thinking of some creative ways to know the stores are open and ready for business.
The idea she and Chamber Executive Director Kelly Sigg came up with involves signage on the south side of the Square, two large ones and four smaller ones.
The smaller signs would have a fun, funny theme. “The idea being we don’t want them to see just one sign, we want to really reiterate the idea that yes these businesses are open,” Lavon explained, adding they want people to see them regardless of which way they are going.
Lavon also met separately with the Commission in executive session to discuss attorney/client matters and trade secrets of third parties. No action was taken out of that session.
Commissioners were informed the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has approved the county’s annual Solid Waste Management Plan. Public Works Director Mitch Garner said in his report concrete crack repairs at a hangar have been completed and weather is holding up drainage work at the moment.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Jeremy Hopkins said there was a little bit of damage from Monday night’s storm, mainly tree damage, He said county crews have reclaimed a number of streets in Moran and will be doing similar work in the Savonburg area. Hopkins also reported they have completed their part of the Monarch Cement entrance project near Humboldt.
Iola Seniors president Dimity Moore gave the Allen County Commission an update on their Shop Thrifty store. Moore said they have a goal of donating at least ten thousand dollars a year in store sales back to the community.
After it was able to acquire their current location, without incurring any debt by the way, she shared what they have been able to do. In 2025, their total impact reached $95,000, covering things ranging from personal needs to school support and supplies
This year they are providing scholarships at each Allen County high school, assistance with school supplies, a tri-fold contest, and expand their online auction site to support non profit organizations and community fundraising partners, along with funding support for the SAFE BASE summer program.
Moore added their goal is to make sure every donated dollar in Allen County creates opportunity locally. “We are proud Shop Thrifty continues to be more than just a thrift store. It is a place where donations become opportunity, volunteer hours become impact, and partnerships become real community change,” she said.
Thanks to new legislation approved this year, County Treasurers in Kansas will now be able to add a local transaction fee for motor vehicle transactions. Allen County Treasurer Cricket Maley told Commissioners this has been the top legislative priority for the Kansas County Treasurer’s Association over the past five years, as existing funding it receives from a portion of tag and registration fees does not, in many counties cover the cost of these services, funding that has to be made up by local taxpayers.
Under the law, Treasurers can impose a fee of up to five dollars per transaction and can go as high as ten dollars if the County Commission approves. Maley said her office is closer to a break-even position than some, and she is planning to set this fee locally at two dollars, which would generate about 32 thousand dollars a year.
During the meeting Iola High School Principal Scott Carlson was reappointed to the 31st Judicial District Community Corrections Advisory Board as it’s education sector representative. The Commission also approved requests to use the Bandstand for Iola High School’s practice-a-thon Saturday, and to place a banner for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
