ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — Allen County Commissioners Tuesday decided to end for now their practice of holding one evening meeting a month, which has been on the 3rd Tuesday. Commissioner David Lee said participation in the night meetings was not what he had hoped.
In discussion of this, it was noted there are a lot of other evening activities going on through the week which tend to limit participation, especially at certain times of the year. Commissioner John Brocker suggested the county’s budget hearing meeting remain an evening session, and this could be looked at later.
Commissioners Tuesday authorized a $6,100 dollar expenditure with Twin Motors to repair an oil leak on an ambulance. EMS Director Michael Burnett said this issue was initially found after warranty repairs were made on what is the oldest ambulance in their fleet, an issue that has worsened over time.
An update on repairs to a piece of equipment at the Landfill was provided by Public Works Director Mitch Garner, who said they are waiting for a couple more items to be received before they have it picked up. Garner also discussed plans to construct another hangar at Allen County Airport this year, which will probably be the last one to be built for now.
Sheriff Anthony Maness discussed the potential of using a fleet program through Enterprise for sheriff’s vehicles. Maness said he learned about this program at a new sheriff’s school he attended before taking office, which intrigued him at the time, but he had other issues to work through. About six months ago Enterprise approached him about their program which he explained through their market awareness they assist in resale of vehicles and staying on the road quicker.
One question he had dealt with was who would be doing that maintenance, stating a desire to use local businesses whenever possible. Enterprise said this would not be an issue.
Enterprise provides fleet services to a number of cities and counties in Kansas, Cherokee County recently going with them. In some cases, Enterprise provides services that also involve such things as utilities, public works, and other departments. This was brought up primarily as a discussion item Tuesday.
Commissioners signed a letter of intent on behalf of TLC, which is applying for a Kansas Tourism Attraction Grant that would go towards construction of a mini-golf course in Iola that would include a “unique feature.”
They are working with another party on this project, and Thrive Allen County’s Camille Lavon said while there is not a lot she can say about it, there has already been feasibility studies done for it, and they have already worked with the Regional Small Business Development Center and others. That grant application is due for submission by Friday.
Commissioners made multiple reappointments to various boards and committees. This includes the reappointment of Jeff Johnson, Jim Gilpin and Jackie Ensminger to three-year terms on the Allen County Hospital Facilities Board. Mike Waldman was reappointed to the Regional Planning Revolving Loan Committee, with Commissioner John Brocker as an alternate.
Brocker was also reappointed to the board of Iola Industries, to the executive committee of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission and the Juvenile Detention Facility Board. Commissioner David Lee was reappointed to the Bowlus Committee, Allen County Housing Task Force, and Economic Development Board. Helen Moss and Carolyn Kasim were reappointed to the Area Agency on Aging Board. Additional appointments will be made next week.
The Commission also designated the Iola Register as the official county newspaper for 2026, which rotates annually between the Register and The Humboldt Union.
