Thomas County Commissioners Move Forward with IT Service Bid Process
June 15, 2026
The Thomas County Commissioners heard public concerns, reviewed another 2027 budget request, and approved plans to seek options for information technology support for county offices at the Thomas County Courthouse on Monday morning. The meeting began with public comments regarding towing rotation policies and county right-of-way maintenance, before diving into the agenda which entailed a budget presentation from the Thomas County Extension Office, and discussion about the county's future IT support needs.
Chairman Mike Baughn opened the meeting by congratulating David Becker on recent accomplishments, while Commissioner Brad Flipse reported receiving concerns from a resident regarding the health of trees at the Thomas County Fairgrounds. Flipse indicated county staff had been notified to evaluate the situation.
Public comment once again centered on the ongoing discussion regarding towing rotation practices within Thomas County. Representatives from Butch's Body Shop and Recovery were present after missing last week’s meeting. Michael Meyer presented a prepared statement urging the county to consider adopting an ordinance prevent unauthorized tow operators from responding to accident without being requested. Meyer argued that keeping a regular dispatch rotation not only promotes fairness among tow providers, but it improves safety for first responders, motorists, and tow operators working at accident scenes.
Butch Cox followed by asking how such an ordinance would apply to the Kansas Highway Patrol operations, and if a fine was enough to deter someone from violating the ordinance. He noted that a $500 fine is minimal for tow business that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. Commissioners indicated the matter would continue to be reviewed with County Attorney Chris Rohr before any formal action is considered.
Bill Miller also returned to address the commission regarding county right-of-way mowing practices. Miller expressed frustration after wheat planted in a roadway right-of-way was recently mowed a week before harvest. He questioned what he described as inconsistent treatment of right-of-way maintenance throughout the county and urged commissioners to establish a clearer policy moving forward.
Commissioners approved accounts payable totaling $43,459.78 from Road and Bridge and $51,879.62 from the Courthouse General Fund.
A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the Thomas County Extension Office's 2027 budget request. Agriculture Agent Helen Giefer presented an overview of the department's accomplishments during 2025 and outlined plans for the coming year.
The office delivered 48 educational programs, reached more than 3,100 individuals through direct programming, achieved a 7 percent increase in 4-H enrollment, and helped facilitate approximately 1,800 fair entries involving 115 exhibitors.
Giefer also highlighted that the Northwest Kansas crop production extension team was recognized as the National Champion Extension Crop Production Team and noted that Caleb and Shanda Mattix’s family was recently selected as one of only six Kansas Master Farm Families.
Giefer reported conducting 106 agricultural consultations during 2025, assisting residents with crop, livestock, tree, lawn, garden, and agricultural production concerns. She also discussed licensing assistance, soil and feed testing services, crop insurance documentation, and numerous educational opportunities offered through the extension office.
The extension office requested $170,000 in county appropriations for 2027, unchanged from the previous year. Giefer explained that savings generated during a period of understaffing allowed the office to carry forward funds that will help absorb rising costs. Planned increases include upgraded technology and equipment, expanded educational programming, travel expenses, and employee compensation adjustments.
Commissioners also reviewed plans to seek proposals for a new county information technology provider. Emergency Management Director/ IT Director David Becker explained that the county's current one-year contract with Corsica expires at the end of 2026, and county departments have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the level of service being provided. Becker said the proposed request for proposals would seek a two-year agreement and place greater emphasis on having local, on-site technical support available.
Several department heads shared frustrations with the current arrangement. County Clerk Keesa Mariman described delays in setting up new employees and difficulties obtaining timely responses to service tickets, while Sheriff Tom Nickols expressed concerns about unknown remote technicians accessing department computers. Commissioners generally agreed that while the county selected Corsica based on cost savings, those savings may have been offset by lost staff productivity and service issues.
Following discussion, commissioners approved issuing the new request for proposals. Responses will be due August 3, with presentations scheduled in October and a final decision anticipated October 19.
The board also approved auditor-recommended fund transfers associated with the county's 2025 financial statements and approved meeting minutes from May 29 and June 1. Two executive sessions related to landfill personnel matters were held during the meeting, with commissioners reporting no binding action upon returning to open session.
The meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m. before commissioners continued with 2027 budget hearings.