> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Shawnee County Commission Summary - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/shawnee-county-commission-summary-34/ - Published: 2026-08-28T11:22:18.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-28T11:22:18.000Z - Description: Week of August 28, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: tcj, #summary, dnn # County approves biometric smartwatches for high-risk inmates # Department of Corrections eyes $2 million in federal grants # Public Works addresses windshield damage from new road gravel # Calhoun Bluff Road bridge replacement finishes $200,000 under budget # Public Works secures 5,000 tons of road salt for upcoming winter # Commissioners urge actionable public input ahead of budget hearing # County to pursue claim against city over administration building flood # Design contract approved for $8.5 million Cypress Ridge Clubhouse project # County awards 2026 first responder grants funded by ambulance fines --- ### County approves biometric smartwatches for high-risk inmates SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract amendment Thursday providing 50 biometric smartwatches to monitor high-risk inmates at the adult detention facility. The smartwatches, provided at no cost to the county through Smart Communications, will monitor inmates' heart rates, temperatures and oxygen levels, sending alerts to a control center if an individual is in distress. Corrections Director Brian Cole said medical staff will prioritize the devices for inmates on suicide watch or those experiencing drug and alcohol withdrawals, aiming to reduce in-custody deaths and limit county liability. --- ### Department of Corrections eyes $2 million in federal grants SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Following Monday's grand opening of a new Behavioral Health Unit, the Shawnee County Department of Corrections is anticipating word on nearly $2 million in federal grants later this year. Corrections Director Brian Cole credited the county's lobbyist for working closely with Rep. Derek Schmidt and Sen. Jerry Moran's offices to secure potential federal funding for the jail. The department also recently received a technical assistance grant that will bring experts to the facility to review behavioral health and reentry procedures in order to improve inmate services and operational efficiency. --- ### Public Works addresses windshield damage from new road gravel SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Public Works Director Curt Niehaus apologized Thursday for a recent spike in broken vehicle windshields on northern Shawnee County roads, attributing the damage to a heavier volcanic "trap rock" used for chip sealing. Niehaus explained that a regional supply shortage of the county's standard lightweight limestone aggregate forced the department to use the heavier material to maintain the roads, primarily affecting Northwest 46th and 62nd streets. Officials urged drivers to drastically reduce their speeds and stay in established wheel paths to minimize flying debris while crews continue to sweep the loose rock from the asphalt. --- ### Calhoun Bluff Road bridge replacement finishes $200,000 under budget SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A bridge replacement project on Northeast Calhoun Bluff Road over a tributary to the Kansas River has been completed ahead of schedule and nearly $200,000 under budget. The commission acknowledged a final change order for the project, bringing the final cost well below the initially projected $546,800 budget. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus noted the significant savings were achieved by replacing the aging bridge with a large single-cell concrete culvert, a structural downsizing made possible because past construction of the Soldier Creek Cutoff greatly reduced the waterway's local drainage area. --- ### Public Works secures 5,000 tons of road salt for upcoming winter SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Preparing for winter weather, the commission awarded a contract to Central Salt LLC of Lyons, Kansas, for up to 5,000 tons of de-icing salt. The material, which will support county snow and ice removal operations during the 2026–2027 winter season, was secured at a unit cost of $53.45 per ton. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus noted that while Central Salt provided the lowest of three submitted bids, the cost of salt has still increased by about $2.05 per ton compared to recent years. --- ### Commissioners urge actionable public input ahead of budget hearing SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — With the county's revenue neutral rate and 2027 budget hearings scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, commissioners are asking residents to bring specific suggestions to the podium rather than just general complaints. Acknowledging public frustration over rising property taxes, commissioners encouraged citizens to review the proposed budget online and offer concrete ideas on how the county could restructure its spending or locate alternative operational savings. --- ### County to pursue claim against city over administration building flood SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved the use of $39,398 from the 2026 contingency fund to repair severe flood damage in the basement of the county administration building. Facilities Management Director Nelda Henning reported the drainage issue has been resolved after multiple flooding incidents required water extraction, carpet replacement and structural drying. Because the flooding was believed to have been partially caused by a municipal drain issue, according to Henning, County Counselor Rich Eckert confirmed the county is currently preparing a financial claim against the city of Topeka to recoup the uninsured repair costs. --- ### Design contract approved for $8.5 million Cypress Ridge Clubhouse project SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved a $395,000 contract with a design firm to design a new clubhouse for the Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Tim Laurent, director of Shawnee County Parks + Recreation, said the design fee is based on an estimated $8.5 million total project cost, which includes moving the clubhouse to a new location off 21st Street and constructing a new access road and parking lot. The design phase is funded through a mix of the golf revolving fund, a private donation and the building maintenance fund, though the project drew criticism during public comment from a county commission candidate who argued building maintenance funds should not subsidize golf facilities amid rising property taxes. --- ### County awards 2026 first responder grants funded by ambulance fines SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved the 2026 first responder grant awards, which distribute specialized funding to local fire districts throughout Shawnee County. Ambulance Compliance Officer Nelson Casteel noted the annual grants do not utilize taxpayer dollars; rather, they are entirely funded by fines and financial penalties paid by American Medical Response for documented contractual compliance issues, such as late response times, over the past year. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/tcj-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) [Click here for local jail logs](https://cjus.me/tcj-jail?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)