Shawnee County Commission Summary
Week of October 23, 2026
Commissioners greenlight $8.6 million Maple Hill Road Bridge rehab
$820,000 pavement replacement approved for Croco Road
Commission approves winter sand purchase despite 20 percent price hike
Public open house scheduled for regional transportation study
County extends lease agreement with Pro Hockey Topeka through 2031
Irrigation system approved for Felker Park soccer fields
Commissioners authorize $15 million in bonds for multifamily housing
County approves $814,821 purchase for new trash trucks
County finalizes $787,270 payment for corrections mental health unit
Early voting sees record turnout in Shawnee County
Commissioners greenlight $8.6 million Maple Hill Road Bridge rehab
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A major rehabilitation project for the Northwest Maple Hill Road Bridge over the Kansas River is slated to begin in early 2027 following the commission's unanimous approval of an $8.6 million project budget. Public works director Curt Niehaus said the project will include both deck replacement and superstructure painting, consolidated into a single year of work. The elevated cost is largely attributed to the required encapsulation and safe disposal of lead-based paint. The project, funded by sales tax revenue, is a joint effort with Wabaunsee County, which will cover 5 percent of the total cost.
$820,000 pavement replacement approved for Croco Road
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved a budget of approximately $820,000 and authorized the public works department to solicit construction bids for a pavement rehabilitation project on Southeast Croco Road. The project will address the north and southbound lanes immediately north of the Kansas Turnpike Authority's I-70 bridge, including the intersection with Southeast Sycamore Drive. Construction is expected to take place in mid-2027.
Commission approves winter sand purchase despite 20 percent price hike
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The county will purchase up to 5,000 tons of sand for winter road maintenance from Martin Marietta for $77,500, though commissioners noted a steep 20 percent increase in the unit cost over previous years. Public works director Curt Niehaus attributed the $15.50-per-ton price to a combination of normal construction material inflation and a recent change in ownership at the supplier's physical plant. The county uses the sand in combination with salt to provide traction on steep grades and intersections during snow and ice events.
Public open house scheduled for regional transportation study
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on a regional transportation study regarding a potential new turnpike interchange near the city of Auburn during a public open house Tuesday, Oct. 27. The come-and-go event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new Auburn-Washburn Middle School. Public works director Curt Niehaus encouraged residents who regularly drive Auburn Road and Southwest 93rd Street to share their perspectives with the study team, noting that this is the first of several planned open houses on the matter.
County extends lease agreement with Pro Hockey Topeka through 2031
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved an extended license agreement with Pro Hockey Topeka, keeping the team at the Stormont Vail Events Center through the 2031 hockey season. Event center general manager Kasey Hanney said the new contract supersedes the current agreement — which was set to expire in 2028 — and provides budgetary stability for both the venue and the team. Several hockey players and staff attended the meeting to express their commitment to the community, highlighting their extensive youth hockey involvement and local public appearances.
Irrigation system approved for Felker Park soccer fields
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Soccer facilities in Topeka will receive a significant upgrade following the commission's unanimous approval of a $63,600 contract with Topeka Landscape Inc. to install a new irrigation system at Felker Park. Parks and recreation director Tim Laurent noted that soccer continues to grow as one of the county's most popular programs, and the irrigation will allow for the maintenance of a flexible open-space area that can accommodate up to six youth fields or two full-size fields. The improvements align with the department's ongoing master plan recommendations to rebrand the area as the Felker Sports Complex.
Commissioners authorize $15 million in bonds for multifamily housing
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $15 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds. The bond proceeds will finance the construction of a new multifamily housing complex by developer AMD Partners, located just north of a Lowe's store in Topeka. A public hearing and a resolution of intent for the project were previously passed in 2025, allowing the final approval to pass without debate.
County approves $814,821 purchase for new trash trucks
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The solid waste department will add three new front-loader trash trucks to its fleet after the commission approved an $814,821 bid from Truck Component Services. Solid waste director Bill Sutton said the approved contract includes a trade-in allowance and will be funded entirely by user fees rather than tax dollars. While the chosen vendor was not the absolute lowest bidder, Sutton explained the county rejected the lower bid because the proposed equipment lacked a required third axle, falling short of the county's necessary bid specifications.
County finalizes $787,270 payment for corrections mental health unit
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — As part of routine voucher approvals totaling more than $2.7 million, the county issued a final payment of $787,270 to KBS Constructors Inc. for the completion of the department of corrections' mental health unit. The payment was funded through a combination of county project funds and a federal grant. Department of corrections director Brian Cole highlighted the new unit's success during administrative communications, noting the early achievements of the behavioral health honor module.
Early voting sees record turnout in Shawnee County
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County Election Office representative Jake Fisher reported record-breaking early voter turnout for a non-presidential election year as residents continue to cast their advance ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
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