HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With only two commissioners present Tuesday, they made quick work of their agenda approving all items including allowing the maintenance department to begin the process of purchasing a replacement pickup at a cost not to exceed $18,000.
They also approved the purchase of two commercial washers and dryers for the new Reno County Correctional Facility. They chose Midwest Commercial Laundry Equipment in Salina, in part because of the success the Saline County jail has had with this company and their products according to Sheriff Randy Henderson. He says this will be an upgrade with them using private home washers and dryers in the current jail. The cost of $33,756 is well below what they had budgeted for the new jail, which was $50,000.
The commission also came close to approving an agreement between Union Pacific Railroad, the county and the Kansas Department of Transportation for the construction and maintenance of highway crossing signals at two locations near Arlington. One will be at Hodge Road and K-61, and the other at Broadway and K-61. Commissioner Brad Dillon was ready to approve the agreement on Tuesday asking “why wouldn’t we?”, but Commissioner Dan Deming thought it would be appropriate to wait until next week when Commission Chair James Schlickau is present.