Shawnee County Commission Summary
Week of June 5, 2026
Elected county officials set to receive pay raises
County approves wage increases for employees and department heads
Shawnee County launches comprehensive wage study
Commission approves intent for Hotel Topeka revenue bonds
Commission approves permits for 24 summer fireworks stands
Health department renews nursing contract with TARC
Commissioner set for D.C. trip as board alters June schedule
Gage Park Playland nears completion with grading contract
Kossover Tennis Center completed ahead of Jayhawk Open
Elected county officials set to receive pay raises
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Several elected county officials will receive salary increases starting in July following a unanimous commission vote. The approved resolution grants a 3 percent pay bump to the district attorney, sheriff, election commissioner, county clerk, county treasurer and the commissioners themselves. The register of deeds will receive a 5 percent increase, while the county appraiser will see a 7 percent boost.
County approves wage increases for employees and department heads
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County department heads and classified employees will see larger paychecks starting next month after the commission approved a pair of salary resolutions. Most county department heads will receive a 3 percent raise, though Weed Department Director John Landon will receive a 4 percent increase. Additionally, classified and unclassified county employees, along with corrections and sheriff's command staff, will receive a 3 percent pay scale adjustment and an applicable one-step wage increase.
Shawnee County launches comprehensive wage study
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Following recent compensation concerns raised by elected officials, Shawnee County officially launched a comprehensive pay classification study on Tuesday. County Administrative Services Director Angela Lewis confirmed the wage study kicked off that morning and will evaluate the salaries of directors, elected officials and both classified and unclassified employees to ensure alignment with similar external positions. The study will exclude union-covered positions, as those wages are negotiated separately.
Commission approves intent for Hotel Topeka revenue bonds
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Commission unanimously approved a resolution of intent Tuesday to issue taxable industrial revenue bonds for renovations at Hotel Topeka. Endeavor Hotel Group, represented at the meeting by CEO Roy Arnold, requested the bonds to secure a point-of-purchase retail sales tax exemption on improvements while finalizing the property's purchase from the city's Topeka Development Corporation. The developer is also seeking a 10-year ad valorem tax exemption from the Board of Tax Appeals next year, provided the bonds are successfully issued.
Commission approves permits for 24 summer fireworks stands
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Fireworks enthusiasts will have a nine-day window to purchase pyrotechnics this summer after the commission approved 24 fireworks stand applications. Vendors can operate in Shawnee County from June 27 through July 5, generating $12,000 in permit fees for the county. Despite a recent state law allowing for extended sales, Land Use and Development Director Joni Thadani said the county opted to maintain its traditional local sales window.
Health department renews nursing contract with TARC
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Health Department will continue providing specialized nursing care to residents with developmental disabilities through a renewed contract with TARC. The $11,500 annual agreement, which runs from July 2026 through June 2027, dedicates a county nurse to assist TARC with weekly team meetings, client evaluations and direct participation on specific care teams.
Commissioner set for D.C. trip as board alters June schedule
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Kevin Cook announced he will represent the region in Washington next week alongside a coalition of Topeka business and community leaders to meet with the state's congressional delegation. Cook plans to participate in next Thursday's commission meeting by phone. Additionally, the commission unanimously voted to cancel its June 25 meeting due to scheduling conflicts among the board members.
Gage Park Playland nears completion with grading contract
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The highly anticipated Gage Park Playland project moved one step closer to completion with the approval of a $68,353 grading and gravel contract. The commission awarded the contract to a playground contractor via a purchasing cooperative using Gage Park sales tax funds. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent noted that this finished grade work is the final required step before crews can install specialized safety surfacing and turf.
Kossover Tennis Center completed ahead of Jayhawk Open
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The county authorized a final payment of $74,759 to Mammoth Sports Construction for the Kossover Tennis Center construction project, officially closing the books on the facility's major renovations. The approval came just ahead of a scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony and barbecue at the courts, marking the completion of the project and the start of the 86th annual Jayhawk Open tennis tournament.
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