County Commissioners DiscussedWastewater System Permits;ApprovedTo Exceed RNR
During their Aug. 25 meeting, the Greenwood County Commissioners discussed various issues surrounding building permits, inspections, and compliance requirements for new construction projects within the county.
Commissioner Judd Everitt inquired about wastewater system permits as he believes several new projects have been started and he was curious if permits had been obtained. The discussion emphasized that in cases where a project is planned within the county, permits must be obtained.
The current protocol requires that a contractor coordinate with the County Road and Bridge Supervisor at the beginning, during, and after wastewater system projects. While building permits are available from the County Appraiser’s Office, it was noted that the appraiser’s office usually receives a few permits; however learn about new projects as builders need an address for utilities to begin. It was noted that outof county contractors often call the Clerk’s Office for guidance and are then directed appropriately. Signs indicating zoning regulations are posted around the county, but enforcement and awareness remain ongoing issues. Moving forward, communication between the Appraiser’s Office and the Road & Bridge Office will be improved. The Appraiser’s Office will begin providing address information to help ensure permit requirements are being met, particularly for lagoon systems. Additionally, permits for wastewater lagoons will now be available through the Appraiser’s Office.
The importance of being up to code was reiterated, with Everitt stating, “Allen knows the regulations. We just need to make sure the public understands that permits are required to ensure systems are installed correctly.”
During the meeting, County Counselor Paul Dean researched potential penalties for not obtaining the permits, noting that land use penalties were in place and could be used in this fashion. Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood plans to bring the sanitation code book to the next commission meeting for review.
Separate discussions among commissioners were held during the meeting. Although hard to decipher, the discussion touched on coordination efforts and ways to better streamline communication across the departments.
Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor Greg Rawlings shared that the county has 44 file cabinets in surplus and is looking to part with them. The commission made a motion that the surplus equipment would be free to tax-supported organizations (school districts, townships, churches, etc.), with those interested contacting Rawlings for pick-up. The commission also approved selling file cabinets to the general public if they aren’t acquired by in-county tax-supported organizations. They will be $10 each or $8 if 10 or more are purchased.
The commission held a 20-minute executive session with Counselor Dean and Road and Bridge Supervisor Greenwood for legal matters (no subject was given). No action was taken.
Greenwood County EMS Director Brian Mongeau presented a Utilization Of Non-Certified Drivers policy, which was suggested by the state board of EMS. The county EMS department has been utilizing this system for several months, but didn’t have the policy in place. The commission and County Counselor approved and signed the policy. Mongeau noted that the department has seen an increase in transfers, stating that the department has almost completed more transfers this year than they did during 2024. Mongeau also noted frustrations with one of the units as it continues to throw the same engine code. He shared that he would like to look into other options, rather than continue to spend money on the issue that continues to be unchanged after returning to the county. The commission was in favor of Mongeau looking into other options.
Fire Chief Glen Collinge provided an update on Truck #46, out of the Severy Division, noting that to see if the turbo was good would cost approximately $3,200. The commission approved for Collinge to proceed with the needed diagnostic work.
Special payables for Aug. 25, for $224.63, and the Aug. 11 meeting minutes were approved as presented After adjourning from their regular meeting, the commission held their annual budget and Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) hearings. During the RNR hearing, the commission heard from county resident Frank McCollum who stated that spending money is a habit and a new habit of doing with less should happen. He continued to note that the past year has been hard on many and seeing the county budget increase by 20% in a year was a lot to absorb. He believed that running the county for a year costs $2,000 per resident. McCollum then noted that the county’s budget continues to increase year after year and noted that he could see a 2-3% increase, but felt a 20% increase was excessive. He also inquired about the Sheriff’s Office and Road & Bridge budgets as he felt the general public should be able to see what they are spending. These budgets are available for public view by submitting a written Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) request to the Greenwood County Clerk’s Office. Both were presented to the commission during department head presentations for the 2026 budget preparation. McCollum expressed appreciation to the commission for allowing him to speak. No other comments were voiced regarding the county exceeding the RNR. The commission approved to exceed the RNR to move from 76.534 to 81.271. The county approved its budget, as well as the Greenwood County Fire budget, as published in the Aug. 6 edition of
The Eureka Herald.
The commission will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 9 a.m.
