Rock garden waterfall set for $123,000 reconstruction

Local business donates brass lighting system for rock garden feature

New fencing approved to separate Gage Park playground area from mini-train

$20.3 million in bonds approved for pet food manufacturer expansion

County advances $6 million in bonds for southwest Topeka duplexes

Commission approves hiring for new behavioral health unit

Health department seeking new pharmacist following 40-year retirement

Engineering firm selected for roundabout design

Commission clears $5.1 million in vouchers for bridges, trucks and IT

Rock garden waterfall set for $123,000 reconstruction

TOPEKA, Kan. — Doran Rock Garden in Gage Park will receive a completely reconstructed waterfall and creek feature after commissioners approved a $123,727 contract with Nature's Image Aquatic Design LLC. Funded by the Gage Park sales tax, the project will implement a recirculating water system for the first time in the feature's history. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent noted the upgrade is expected to significantly improve pond water quality and address persistent blue-green algae issues.

Local business donates brass lighting system for rock garden feature

TOPEKA, Kan. — Doran Rock Garden in Gage Park will soon be illuminated at night following an advertising sponsorship agreement with local business CWC Electric and Plumbing. Owner Chuck Hogan volunteered to fully fund, install and maintain approximately 50 solid brass pathway lights and various tree accent lights throughout the garden to extend park hours and improve security. In exchange, the county will allow the company to display advertising banners at local aquatic and sports facilities.

New fencing approved to separate Gage Park playground area from mini-train

TOPEKA, Kan. — Commissioners approved a $51,413 contract with a fencing contractor to install new iron fencing and stone columns at a playground area in Gage Park. Also funded by the Gage Park sales tax, the fence will run along a nearby park roadway to safely separate the playground area from the mini-train tracks. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent indicated that additional fencing on the opposite side of the playground may be requested in the future to further protect children from nearby road traffic.

$20.3 million in bonds approved for pet food manufacturer expansion

TOPEKA, Kan. — Following a public hearing that drew no comments, the commission approved a resolution of intent to issue $20.3 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds for a pet food manufacturer. The funds will be used for improvements at the company's manufacturing facility in northwest Topeka. The developer will purchase the bonds to secure a state sales tax exemption on construction materials and services.

County advances $6 million in bonds for southwest Topeka duplexes

TOPEKA, Kan. — Commissioners approved the issuance of an estimated $6 million in taxable multifamily housing revenue bonds to support the construction of 10 duplexes on Southwest Villa Drive. The project will create 20 individual family units. Bond counsel clarified that the county is not financially obligated for the bonds; instead, Gen 3 Construction and Development LLC purchases them to obtain an exemption from sales taxes on building materials, a move expected to eventually increase the county's assessed property tax value.

Commission approves hiring for new behavioral health unit

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners approved a request to post and fill 23 corrections specialist positions in preparation for a new behavioral health unit at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Each position carries an estimated salary and benefits cost of $85,285, funded through the fiscal year 2026 detention budget. Department officials noted that while recruitment remains a challenge, these initial hires represent roughly half the staff needed to fully operate the upcoming facility.

Health department seeking new pharmacist following 40-year retirement

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Health Department will issue a request for proposals for a new pharmacist in charge following the upcoming retirement of its current pharmacist, who has served the county for more than 40 years. A clinical services manager explained that the position is required for the department to maintain compliance with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy and involves conducting quarterly reviews of medications distributed to patients.

Engineering firm selected for roundabout design

TOPEKA, Kan. — The intersection of Southeast 40th Street and Southeast Adams Street is slated to become a two-lane roundabout, with commissioners approving a $295,000 contract with Professional Engineering Consultants for design services. Public Works Director Courtney House said the roundabout will eliminate the need for traffic lights and will accommodate heavy truck traffic with a specialized low-curb apron. Construction will be delayed until ongoing work on Interstate 70 is complete to avoid congesting alternate local routes.

Commission clears $5.1 million in vouchers for bridges, trucks and IT

TOPEKA, Kan. — The commission approved more than $5.1 million in county voucher payments. Notable expenditures included $339,000 to the Kansas Department of Transportation for a bridge replacement project on Northwest Valencia Road over the Silver Lake drainage ditch, $218,412 to Rush Truck Centers for a replacement dump truck and $119,700 to VC3 Inc. for information technology backup and disaster recovery services.

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