Shawnee County commissioners weighed $4.4 million carousel renovation, 2027 budget hearings, and revenue-neutral rate resolution
Shawnee County commissioners had a packed two weeks, with agendas covering a $4.4 million guaranteed maximum price for the Gage Park Carousel renovation, 2027 budget work sessions across nearly every county department, and a resolution signaling intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate.
Minutes have not yet been published for any of the three recent Board of County Commissioners meetings, so what follows reflects what was scheduled for consideration — not confirmed outcomes.
Gage Park Carousel and park projects (July 9)
The commission was set to consider a Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment of $4,441,026.00 for the Gage Park Carousel Project renovation. That same agenda included a public hearing for Resolution R2026060 to establish a fire station on NW Topeka Boulevard in Soldier Township.
Other items on the July 9 agenda:
- Sheriff's Office maintenance agreement with CBS Manhattan, LLC for $38,857.00.
- Contract C2026249 for Chaplain Services with Everett Ledbetter at $500.00 per month plus mileage.
- Payment of $3,310.00 to Brown's Tree Care for stump removal at Gage Park.
2027 budget hearings (July 13)
The board held a work session on the 2027 fiscal year spending plan, with departments presenting proposed budgets in three time blocks. A public comment period preceded the hearings. No final votes were expected.
Presentations were scheduled for:
- 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: District Attorney, Courts, Dept. of Corrections, Community Corrections, Sheriff's Office.
- 10:30 a.m.–Noon: Emergency Management (including AMR, Safe Streets, Stormont Vail Events Center, Fair Association), Parks and Recreation, Land Use and Development, Elections Office.
- 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.: Appraisers Office, Register of Deeds, Public Works, Solid Waste Dept., Weed Dept.
Revenue Neutral Rate and contracts (July 16)
The commission was scheduled to review Resolution R2026061 regarding the Notification of Intent to Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate — a procedural step required when a local government plans to levy more property tax revenue than the prior year.
Also on the July 16 agenda:
- Contract C2026255 with KanEquip for a New Holland W80D Loader at $107,143.88.
- Contract C2026257 with SouthWind Contracting LLC for North Annex parking and sidewalk repairs at $29,069.00.
- Change Order #2 with Meri-Crete LLC for concrete slabs at Gage Park Play Land for $12,977.00.
- Contract C2026253 with SHI International Corp for computer server support at $4,308.85.
Coming up
The Board of County Commissioners meets Monday, July 20, for a work session on drone technology with the Sheriff's Office. The agenda includes a presentation, public comment, and an executive session. The meeting will be streamed live online.