Rawlins County Commissioners recap 4/1, Tackle Roads, Taxes, Grants, and Land Deals

by Derek White

ATWOOD, Kan. — The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners gathered for their regular meeting on April 1, 2025, addressing a range of issues from road maintenance and township taxation to law enforcement needs and economic development.

Road and Bridge Update

Mark Loop of Road and Bridge reported on plans to begin hauling rock and maintaining trail roads, as well as a potential chip seal project for the Beardsley and McDonald areas. Discussions also included the possibility of sealing McDonald's Main Street, pending city approval. Commissioners deferred final decisions on the project until their next meeting.

Atwood Township Raises Taxation Concerns

Tyrel Prideaux and Dakota Dunker from Atwood Township raised concerns over township properties—including the golf course, ballfield, and Depot—being taxed. They argued it was counterproductive for one governmental body to tax another, especially when the township only receives a fraction of the funds. County Appraiser Alicia Baumfalk indicated a previous denial of tax exemption by the Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) may still stand, but agreed to review the issue further. County Attorney Chris Rohr will also investigate the matter alongside Baumfalk.

Sheriff's Office Equipment Approval

Sheriff’s Office representative Katie Wright requested approval for a payment to JR Audio for outfitting the department’s new 2024 Ford F-150. Commissioners approved a motion to pay $11,000 from the Public Safety Equipment Fund, with any remaining balance to come from the Sheriff General Fund.

Land Sale and Grant Project Updates

Diana Skiles of Pine Branch Real Estate presented a $40,000 offer for county-owned property along Highway 36. The commissioners accepted the offer, noting the property had been listed at $45,000. Skiles also reported a separate land sale on 4th and Vine had closed, with the county receiving $51,221.25 in proceeds.

Commissioners also approved Miller and Associates’ final payment request for work on the Landfill Cell 5-6 Closure and Cell 7 Development.

Health Plan Savings and Insurance Review

Will Arthur from Nestled Insurance updated the board on the county's third year with a self-insured medical reimbursement plan, which reportedly saved $12,000 last year. Arthur plans to visit each department for open enrollment.

Fairgrounds Equipment Use Approved

Delbert Warning requested use of Road & Bridge equipment to help with fairgrounds maintenance, including removing a tree and post and moving dirt. Commissioners approved use of a skid loader and loader with an operator for the job.

CVR Grant and Special Meeting Scheduling

Corina Cox, attending via GoToMeeting, updated the board on a CVR Grant timeline tied to Pochop Farms' portable corral purchase. The board scheduled two special meetings to stay on track—April 29 at 1:30 p.m. and tentatively May 30 at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners also approved equipment purchase quotes for Finley Construction and Atwood Lumber LLC, part of a separate CVR grant.

Other Business

• The board approved minutes from the March 14 meeting, March 2025 vouchers, and tax abatements from the Appraiser’s Office.

• Attorney Rohr presented a revised Resolution 2025-05, amending landfill dumping fees, and discussed the need for clarity around exempt versus non-exempt entities.

• Commissioners were reminded of the upcoming Northwest Kansas Officials "Little KAC" Meeting on April 9at Colby Community College.

Looking Ahead

The next regular meeting of the Rawlins County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the county courtroom. Community members are encouraged to attend or follow up with the County Clerk’s Office for updates.