Chase County Commissioners approve routine business, 2% COLA, and regional dues

The Chase County Commissioners handled routine and administrative business at their Dec. 31 meeting. Speaker 1 opened the session and led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter. The board approved warrants for 12/31/2024, the payroll for the Nov. 25–Dec. 24 pay period, and minutes from the Dec. 16 meeting by voice vote.

Speaker 1 introduced Resolution 2024‑07 relating to a regional solid-waste management plan that covers Chase County, the city of Emporia and Lyon County; the board voted to adopt the resolution. The board also approved a truck-related change order and a wage adjustment for an employee who obtained a commercial driver’s license.

Speaker 5 moved and the board approved additional budget authority for the county attorney to hire an assistant county attorney through the transition period. The board discussed and approved a 2% cost-of-living increase (COLA) for non-elected employees and department heads included on the payroll sheets; the motion passed by voice vote with one recorded dissent during the roll call portion of the discussion.

The board voted to pay Flint Hills Regional Council dues for 2025 (about $1,100) and to charge the payment to Fund 200 (jail excess fund). The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.