$1.8 million approved for next phase of Gage Park carousel project

$123,000 payment cleared for Gage Park waterfall installation

County splash pads open for the season with upgrades at one site

Free summer symphony concert series coming to Ted Ensley Gardens

Peer navigator program expanded for inmates awaiting release

$57,000 transport vehicle approved for juvenile detention

Engineering bids sought for deteriorating jail loading area

Safety concerns prompt new four-way stop at Soldier Township intersection

State adds honeysuckle to noxious weed list, county warns of high treatment costs

Nearly $20 million reported in outstanding property taxes

$1.8 million approved for next phase of Gage Park carousel project

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A $1.8 million guaranteed maximum price amendment with KBS Constructors for the structural package of the Gage Park carousel renovation was approved Thursday. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent said the phase includes the demolition of the current structure, concrete foundations, a retaining wall and the steel shell for the new building, which will eventually house the restored carousel, party rooms and a new mini-train stop. The project is funded entirely by the Gage Park sales tax.

$123,000 payment cleared for Gage Park waterfall installation

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — As part of Thursday's consent agenda, a $123,727 payment to Nature's Image Aquatic Design LLC was approved for the installation of the Gage Park Doran Rock Garden waterfall feature. The payment, included in the county's weekly $3.4 million voucher approval, is funded entirely through voter-approved Gage Park sales tax revenues.

County splash pads open for the season with upgrades at one site

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — All Shawnee County splash pads and spray parks officially open to the public on Friday, including one county splash-pad site, which was offline all of last year for infrastructure repairs. Parks and Recreation officials noted the splash pad has been upgraded from a recirculating system to a flow system, which will save the county money on pool chemicals. The renovated park also features new amenities, including tables, benches and fencing.

Free summer symphony concert series coming to Ted Ensley Gardens

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County Parks and Recreation announced a new "Garden Groove" series that will bring a local symphony to Ted Ensley Gardens for eight free performances this summer. The concerts will take place on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. throughout June and July, utilizing the garden's pagoda area. Parks officials selected Tuesdays to purposefully fill a gap in the community's free live music schedule.

Peer navigator program expanded for inmates awaiting release

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A $92,497 contract with Mirror Inc. was approved to provide two additional peer navigators to work with adult inmates at the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center. Department of Corrections official Tim Phelps said the navigators assess inmates and arrange for substance use treatment upon their release, creating a "warm handoff" back into the community that lowers recidivism. The contract is fully funded by a federal substance-use treatment grant, utilizing no county funds.

$57,000 transport vehicle approved for juvenile detention

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Department of Corrections will purchase a new transport vehicle for juvenile detention from a local auto dealer for $57,514. Corrections official Tim Phelps explained that the purchase, funded through the approved fiscal year 2026 capital improvement budget, was slightly delayed while a private company designed the custom caging required for the vehicle's interior. The purchase was approved without objection.

Engineering bids sought for deteriorating jail loading area

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Public Works Director Curt Niehaus received approval to issue a request for qualifications for professional engineering and design services to repair or replace heavily degraded concrete pavement at the Shawnee County Adult Detention Facility. Niehaus noted the 8-inch concrete in the facility's secure loading and unloading area is severely cracked and faulted, requiring a formal engineering plan to ensure a proper base and jointed pavement are installed. The project will be financed through the county's roof and parking lot funds.

Safety concerns prompt new four-way stop at Soldier Township intersection

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The intersection of Northwest 86th Street and Northwest Wilson Road will be converted from a two-way stop to an all-way stop. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus recommended the change following a citizen request, a review of crash reports, traffic counts and a site visit that revealed significant sight distance reductions. Soldier Township will be responsible for installing and maintaining the new stop signs.

State adds honeysuckle to noxious weed list, county warns of high treatment costs

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County Weed Department Director John Landon warned Thursday that the Kansas Department of Agriculture added five new plants to the state's noxious weed list, including the highly prevalent bush honeysuckle. Landon noted that treating the invasive plant will carry a massive financial impact for both the county and private landowners, estimating the cost of chemicals at roughly $89, though the county offers a 25 percent cost share. The department will focus entirely on education and public notification for the remainder of the year before beginning formal enforcement actions.

Nearly $20 million reported in outstanding property taxes

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Following Monday's deadline for second-half property tax payments, preliminary reports indicate that millions of dollars remain uncollected. It was reported that approximately $14.9 million in second-half payments and $4.9 million in first-half payments are currently outstanding. The treasurer's office plans to send out official delinquency letters to property owners next month.

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