[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6485235,"mediaKeyId","5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894","parentId",5444974,"title","County elections early voting, hotel talks and staff anniversaries noted during Shawnee County administrative communications","audioSeconds",175,"startMs",3322000,"endMs",3497000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894&start=3322&end=3497","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894/thumbnail_3322000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485235/Shawnee-County/Kansas/County-elections-early-voting-hotel-talks-and-staff-anniversaries-noted-during-Shawnee-County-administrative-communications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485235-b78635e50f90a292d561868a4ae7cc6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948964&Signature=iMRft1qm5FoD91NtpREAO7VM7CZwtFQfMQJ5C8P7lode13FG6CVQ3Q6Ir0It6kNPTIbbWpUubC7oFoMkhQ8uMgywEECsoNjwabPIrGk4MfMDPElS65sM~Bl~cr6DctwR2HG9EgiMq1K1xXryYNPbSRXTX3wHq8L9gLnj6VZDQde~c3Jo7Xo91NoQECNk8Cs17TnJ2qR2OBidV6RWT2RV0Nb8EfutwrOesd0s9weg4L059J-X7OlAdIVe1lTVBg~5GVfD9n2-w9FzwiK3DkB9uf5gM6~tsZDerXBEgPc4iVrlLLYskFssaGUSyQivSdsN-jsL-2OzMg0ink6LFtpOQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shawnee County","date","2025-07-22T02:54:45.753Z","article","During administrative communications at the July 21 Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, county elections staff reminded the public that early voting had started and commissioners addressed local reporting about a hotel contract and upcoming staff events.

Jake Fisher of County Elections told commissioners early voting began that day with times set for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for the next two weeks and 8 a.m. to noon on the Monday before election day. Fisher said voters living inside city limits should expect city contests (including mayoral and district races where applicable) on their ballots.

Commissioner Kevin Cook addressed local media inquiries concerning a contract between the City of Topeka and the Endeavor Hotel. Cook said Shawnee County had not participated in or been asked to join any contract negotiations between the city and the hotel. He told the public the county had not been included in those discussions and said the county remains committed to renovating the Manor Conference Center at some point; he said the county had delayed renovation work until it understood the future of any hotel partnership because the hotel and conference center have often been linked in past arrangements.

A final administrative note: commissioners reminded the public that a Thursday work session would honor county employees’ anniversaries and retirements.

The items were informational; no formal actions were taken on the matters reported in administrative communications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shawnee County Kansas Commission Meeting 2025/07/21","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 21 meeting commissioners received an elections early-voting reminder, heard Commissioner Cook say the county was not part of Topeka-Endeavor Hotel talks, and were reminded of a Thursday work session celebrating employee anniversaries and retirements.","taxTitle","Shawnee County, Kansas","taxId",2886,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485240,"Shawnee County holds 15-minute executive session on potential employee litigation and conference center contract; no action announced",1713,3477000,5190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894&start=3477&end=5190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894/thumbnail_3477000.jpg","/articles/6485240/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Shawnee-County-holds-15-minute-executive-session-on-potential-employee-litigation-and-conference-center-contract-no-action-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485240-12facd71ef09286cce72643fbe0b8350/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948964&Signature=n0rRWW8Hbvn6Ys-85maeSoG4bBxpfpR~kQqgwCKwjxp1WShQVLsi3WF5u9V~vsbHZtPtXHx4WQ1IauNKcCBXiopeNfDK1SRWOvxkvOJvRTSCWsRmGSvR6kz6ZBeheZpYbmHv9C7Qj4W9WydbMu7wtzdCHt2Qrbqy~EO~KthICJ6klDlNupIOBOUbGdLKYH95JlaFXZHrPjHqUlhZbv~d4q6voxyF4Mx3Dwecu8B4gvvWCJcOH-q0jn9uN5wxzxdLn9NDZXmBiyKzRDO2wSSRG2BFvyJJuRN~FkX3ChGyaIGHRuzae~DqNinwDNddLbYyxY8wPbb3j8TN2qm~7AJ5AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners adjourned into a closed executive session at the July 21, 2025 meeting to receive attorney-client consultation on two matters: a possible settlement involving a former county employee and legal direction regarding a possible contract for the Manor Conference Center.

County Counselor Rich Eckert told commissioners that state law now requires a specified reason when a public body moves into executive session for attorney-client privilege. He said the two reasons for the closed meeting were to discuss a possible settlement with a former employee and to obtain legal direction on a possible conference-center contract. Commissioner Bill Rippon moved the board into executive session beginning at 9:30 a.m. for 15 minutes; Commissioner Kevin Cook seconded the motion and the board voted 2-0 to go into executive session.

The board reconvened in open session later the same morning and announced that no action had been taken during the executive session.

Because executive sessions are confidential by statute, the board did not disclose details of settlement negotiations or the contract discussions in open session. The motion to go into the executive session and the stated reasons were recorded on the public meeting record.","Commissioners met in executive session July 21 to seek attorney-client consultation on a possible settlement with a former employee and to get legal direction on a conference-center contract; they reconvened with no action reported.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485245,"Shawnee County approves $3.89 million in vouchers, parks lighting and pump contracts and fills IT position",75,3189000,3264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894&start=3189&end=3264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444974-baf0f157f9252e45d6bd89841d05b894/thumbnail_3189000.jpg","/articles/6485245/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Shawnee-County-approves-389-million-in-vouchers-parks-lighting-and-pump-contracts-and-fills-IT-position","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485245-517acb63806262397ae87b124bd34176/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948964&Signature=hlXGD--zNhfkNkX1Hkk78oy6WNLyAbjc2fZeIGnIuEpvX1tcSZ5mAdqyURJb9JN90DSsl5EIzrCK9Qz4iloe1L5isuL~saygohgNXrlbq8XZWbWhXpKxgYGy5TQfMIAxJzsbApeOF8RoE3OZUtlQqZhwtkOtYv9MSMAuxhV~K2BUT30vEB39EfrAU~Ba-udlrPJTbX9JGHQ9lPU1V9X5DBT~WFKTMKsrwdCZZEBPYHKmFChjaLtYVgM8eMiTU8Bkz2HcJvkqH2CXl1eS1IAil4F08ozInd8nPRZtH04ih4QHWlfg7k7Quz9i8t5aprey3AOdZBuBCiJQ88uqkSWMhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shawnee County commissioners approved vouchers totaling $3,886,046.43, awarded two small capital contracts for parks and facilities, and authorized hiring a chief network engineer during the July 21, 2025 meeting of the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners.

The county presented vouchers totaling $3,886,046.43. Among the larger items identified was a $280,996 payment to TLG Operations for a 2026 Peterbilt 520 side-loader; that purchase was charged to the county’s solid waste fund. Commissioners moved to approve the vouchers and the motion carried 2-0.

The board also approved contract C291-2025 with Musco for a light-structure system to illuminate a new sand-volleyball court at Gage Park. The contract, procured through the Sourcewell cooperative, is for $49,500 and will be funded from the Gage Park sales-tax fund. Tim Laurette of the Parks and Recreation Department told commissioners the package covers the lighting equipment now, and poles and installation will follow in a separate procurement; he said the fixtures will be LED and underground electrical work will be used. “All LED,” Laurette said when asked by a commissioner.

Separately, the board awarded bid 028-25 and approved contract C292-2025 with Alliance Pump and Mechanical Services to replace a pit pump at the Great Overland Station. Alliance was the low bidder; the contract amount is $29,271 and will be funded from the department’s building maintenance fund. Parks staff said the winning bid came in below the department’s estimate and that references were checked.

On personnel, Mark Price of Information Technology asked the board to approve hiring a candidate for chief network engineer at range 71, step 3. Price said he had coordinated the step level with human resources and budget staff; the board approved the hire 2-0.

Other routine business approved on the consent agenda included correction orders and standard agenda items. Most motions were made by Commissioner Bill Rippon and seconded by Commissioner Kevin Cook; vote tallies recorded at the meeting were 2-0 in favor on the items described above.

The approvals were procedural and routine, with commissioners describing the procurement and staffing moves as standard departmental actions. No additional public comment was recorded on these items at the meeting.","At its July 21 meeting the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners approved $3,886,046.43 in vouchers including a $280,996 solid-waste payment, awarded contracts for park lighting and a pit pump replacement, and approved hiring a chief network engineer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County elections early voting, hotel talks and staff anniversaries noted during Shawnee County administrative communications

Shawnee County holds 15-minute executive session on potential employee litigation and conference center contract; no action announced

Shawnee County approves $3.89 million in vouchers, parks lighting and pump contracts and fills IT position