Dickinson County Commission Summary
Week of June 5, 2026
County secures $740,000 from KDOT for road detour damages
Dickinson County misses out on state bridge funding grants
Uncertainty looms over future solid waste rates
Central Kansas Mental Health Center requests funding increase, touts same-day access
Extensive list of local election candidates announced
County secures $740,000 from KDOT for road detour damages
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — The Dickinson County Commission approved a $740,000 agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation to compensate for damage to local roads used as an unofficial detour during the K-15 bridge replacement project. Because the official state detour is lengthy, a significant volume of traffic has been diverted onto local routes. According to Dickinson County Public Works Director Martin Tannehill, the funds will be used to repair nine miles of paved road and more than three miles of gravel road impacted by the increased traffic.
Dickinson County misses out on state bridge funding grants
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County's applications for the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program and the off-system bridge program were denied this cycle due to intense statewide competition. Out of more than 180 total applications requesting over $220 million in state funding, the Kansas Department of Transportation was only able to award a fraction of the requested projects. Dickinson County officials plan to reapply for the competitive grants in the spring to help fund future local bridge replacements.
Uncertainty looms over future solid waste rates
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County officials face potential rate increases for solid waste disposal following the acquisition of Hamm Inc. by Republic Services. The Dickinson County Environmental Services Department currently pays $75 per ton for waste transfer under a contract that expires in July 2027. Dickinson County Public Works Director Martin Tannehill warned the Dickinson County Commission that the buyout will likely lead to a substantial increase in future disposal rates, which could require the county to re-evaluate its fees, equipment and facility operations ahead of the 2027 budget cycle.
Central Kansas Mental Health Center requests funding increase, touts same-day access
ABILENE, Kan. — Central Kansas Mental Health Center officials requested a 3 percent funding increase from the Dickinson County Commission during a recent meeting in Abilene. Officials highlighted significant improvements in service delivery, noting that wait times for initial appointments have dropped from six to eight weeks to same-day access. The center provided care to 5,039 individuals last year, including 876 local residents, and is currently evaluating future plans for a local crisis stabilization unit to divert individuals in crisis from emergency rooms and law enforcement.
Extensive list of local election candidates announced
DICKINSON COUNTY, Kan. — Dickinson County Clerk Jennifer Gaytan presented the official list of candidate filings for the upcoming Aug. 4 primary election, highlighting numerous contested races for local offices. The filings include candidates for the Dickinson County First District commission seat. The expansive list also features dozens of candidates vying for township clerk positions and precinct committee roles across Dickinson County.
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