Lots of approvals by Pottawatomie County Commissioners

Monday was a busy day full of approvals for Pottawatomie County Commissioners, with three projects awarded contracts. Public Works Director Peter Clark says work on the Elbo creek subdivision in the Blue Township area will begin, awarded to Larson Construction of Manhattan.

Other projects that saw bid approvals include construction on Flush Road and a new roof at the Wamego Senior Center. According to Clark the Flush project should be done in the next few months. County Commission Chair, Dee McKee says safety is a top priority, especially with so many teen drivers traveling to nearby Rock Creek High School.

An entranceway to a facility near Belvue created some discussion at Monday’s Pottawatomie County Commission meeting, with County Public Works Project coordinator Janell Ralph addressing commissioners. Commissioner Stan Hartwich spoke to the 60 feet needed for semis. Commissioners finally agreed to the 60 feet proposal, with the cost going to the owners. The county does pick up a 75 dollar installation fee.

Toward the end of the meeting, Commissioner Pat Weixelman suggested more negotiations on the Jim Moore property across the street from the county building, formerly known as the Westmoreland Clinic and the group decided to have Administrator Robert Reece pursue the possible sale and come up with a price all could agree to. While the building could be used for storage, opinions differed on the value of the building. All seemed to agree the property might be nice to have though for future needs of Pottawatomie county.

And County Appraiser Lois Schlegel shared activities in her office lately, with personal property staff busy answering phone calls or walk-ins with the personal property renditions that were mailed January first. All renditions need to be filed with her office on or before March 15th to avoid having a penalty applied.

While the numbers are just preliminary,  Schlegel shared the figures with county commissioners Monday, adding final values have been set and are to be mailed March first or will be available on-line.