Pittsburg local news summary

Commission approves $1.1 million data center overhaul

Public safety sales tax to fund IT upgrades

IT director addresses cybersecurity and bidding concerns

City maintains on-premise data storage over cloud solutions

Pittsburg Commission Approves $248K Change Order for New EaglePicher Facility

Taxpayers shielded from industrial park construction costs

EaglePicher construction timeline extended

Economic impact of new industrial facility highlighted

Commissioners approve 2025 budget amendments to cover overages

EMS department faces potential cash shortage despite budget fix

ARPA funds allocated to local organizations

County reviews insurance proposals amid 36 percent payroll increase

Commission considers 'infant-at-work' policy

Wood calls for haul route policies to protect county roads

Efforts renewed to address Highway 69 trash

Commission approves $1.1 million data center overhaul

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg City Commission unanimously approved a $1,139,903 agreement with Heartland Business Systems to implement a replacement data center and disaster recovery solution. The five-year lease purchase agreement covers a new backup environment and switching improvements to replace aging infrastructure. Information Technology Director Jeff Bair emphasized that while the current system is functional, it has reached the end of its projected lifespan and requires replacement to maintain security and reliability through 2030.

Public safety sales tax to fund IT upgrades

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The $1.1 million data center project will be funded through the city's Public Safety Sales Tax rather than the general fund. Officials noted that the tax generates approximately $2.2 million annually and was specifically passed by voters to fund personnel, equipment and network infrastructure for law enforcement and safety services. Because the new data system supports body cameras and critical police operations, it qualifies for this funding stream.

IT director addresses cybersecurity and bidding concerns

PITTSBURG, Kan. — In response to public questions regarding the lack of a sealed bid for the new data center, Information Technology Director Jeff Bair explained that the city utilized a "competitive proposal" process allowed for highly technical systems. While the city received inquiries from multiple vendors, only two provided proposals that met the city's security needs. Officials noted that the selected system meets stringent FBI Criminal Justice Information Services compliance standards required for storing law enforcement data.

City maintains on-premise data storage over cloud solutions

PITTSBURG, Kan. — During the review of the new information technology contract, Bair defended the decision to utilize on-premise storage rather than moving entirely to the cloud. While the city aims to eventually migrate more systems to cloud-based servers, officials stated that maintaining local "air-gapped" backups currently offers better security against foreign actors and cyberattacks. Additionally, staff analysis indicated that on-premise storage remains more cost-effective for the city's current volume of data, including body camera footage.

Pittsburg Commission Approves $248K Change Order for New EaglePicher Facility

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg City Commission voted 5-0 this week to approve a change order increasing the construction contract for the new EaglePicher Technologies facility by $248,654. The approved changes cover necessary modifications to doors, walls, wastewater stations, and concrete work, bringing the total contract amount to nearly $6.7 million. City staff explained to the commissioners that these adjustments were required because EaglePicher has now finalized its specific equipment and layout needs, which evolved after the initial building shell was designed. The new facility is under construction on Research Road, located on the southeast edge of the Pittsburg State University campus, just east of the Kansas Polymer Research Center. Once completed, the plant will produce specialized thermal battery components for use in national defense applications.

Taxpayers shielded from industrial park construction costs

PITTSBURG, Kan. — During discussions regarding the EaglePicher Technologies facility construction at the Montee Industrial Park, city officials clarified that the $248,654 cost increase will not be funded by taxpayers. The city is building the facility to the company's specifications, but EaglePicher is contractually obligated to cover all costs, including principal, interest and construction premiums, through a lease agreement. The company recently provided written confirmation that it will cover the cost of the newly approved change orders.

EaglePicher construction timeline extended

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The approved change order for the EaglePicher Technologies facility includes a 27-day extension to the construction contract. City staff reported that contractors are currently edge-forming slabs and aim to pour concrete during the upcoming week to take advantage of favorable weather. The project is expected to see steel structures raised soon, with a targeted completion date now pushed to late spring.

Economic impact of new industrial facility highlighted

PITTSBURG, Kan. — City officials reiterated the economic benefits of the ongoing EaglePicher Technologies project, noting that the new facility is expected to bring 40 to 50 jobs to the community. Commissioners described the project as an economic development win, emphasizing the importance of supporting a partner with a long-standing local presence to ensure they expand within the city rather than in other jurisdictions.

Commissioners approve 2025 budget amendments to cover overages

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — The Crawford County Commission held a public hearing and unanimously approved amendments to the 2025 budget for the General Fund, Ambulance Fund and Consolidated 911 Fund. County Counselor Jim Emerson explained that the adjustments were necessary because the funds were either currently over budget or projected to exceed their limits by the end of the year, which would trigger a violation of state budget law. The Consolidated 911 Fund, supported by telephone taxes, was increased from $300,000 to $400,000 to cover year-to-date spending of approximately $340,000 and anticipated end-of-year bills.

EMS department faces potential cash shortage despite budget fix

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — While the commission resolved the EMS department's budget authority issues, officials warned that the department remains short on actual cash on hand. Emerson noted that while the department spent $210,000 last month, it currently holds only $134,470 in cash. The commission may need to vote on a transfer of funds on Dec. 30 if incoming deposits and increased fees are insufficient to cover expenses through the end of the year. Emerson stated that tax distributions in January should help stabilize the department's finances for early 2026.

ARPA funds allocated to local organizations

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved three invoices under the American Rescue Plan Act totaling nearly $20,000. The approved payments included $5,532.80 to New Foundations for salaries, $7,672.50 to Sugar Creek Packing for reimbursements and $6,485 to the Adams Jones Law Firm of Wichita for work on the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Carl Wood noted that the county is nearing the end of its ARPA allocations, with the remaining major projects being Sugar Creek, New Foundations and the Family Resource Center.

County reviews insurance proposals amid 36 percent payroll increase

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — The commission opened sealed insurance proposals for the upcoming year, reviewing figures from Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties and Ryan Insurance. The renewal process is complicated by a 36 percent increase in county payroll and a rise in the "experience mod," a factor based on workers' compensation claim history. Wood noted that while the rate per $100 of payroll remains competitive, the total premium is higher due to the increased payroll and specific high-risk classes like the Sheriff's Department and Road and Bridge. The commissioners deferred a final decision until Tuesday to allow the county clerk time to compare the rates line by line.

Commission considers 'infant-at-work' policy

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Wood introduced a draft policy for discussion that would allow county employees to bring infants to work under specific criteria. Wood suggested the policy is necessary following a recent maternity leave situation and news of another expecting employee. The commissioners agreed to review the documentation, which models state-level protocols, and discuss the potential implementation of the program at a future meeting.

Wood calls for haul route policies to protect county roads

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Wood raised concerns regarding damage to county roads caused by heavy construction traffic, specifically citing trucks working on a Highway 400 project using county roads as shortcuts. Wood reported that heavy trucks are damaging recently paved sections, including a road where the county recently spent $100,000. He proposed establishing a policy requiring construction companies to designate specific haul routes and financially contribute to road maintenance and dust control, similar to a recent arrangement with United Services on 250th Street.

Efforts renewed to address Highway 69 trash

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Bruce Blair reported that he has initiated discussions with Oak Grove Landfill, the Kansas Department of Transportation and county personnel to address persistent trash accumulation along the Highway 69 corridor. Blair acknowledged that this has been a recurring complaint from constituents over the last several years. He aims to establish a permanent annual schedule for cleanup and enforcement to prevent the area from returning to a blighted state shortly after mowing.

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