County withholds $1.2 million road payment over paving concerns

Thomas County commissioners are withholding a roughly $1.2 million payment for the Gem Road paving project while the county and its contractor determine how to correct a rough section of newly laid asphalt.

Commissioners discussed the project during their Sept. 21 meeting at the Thomas County Courthouse after Commissioner Mike Baughn said he inspected the road in response to a resident’s complaint.

Baughn said most of the project appeared satisfactory, but the first mile north of U.S. Highway 24 had numerous patches and remained noticeably rough. He questioned whether the work should be accepted as complete.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Clair Schrock said equipment problems during construction caused portions of the asphalt mixture to separate. The contractor subsequently ground out and patched approximately 22 affected areas, and county officials initially believed the repairs would hold.

Continued travel over the road, however, has revealed additional roughness in both the patched and unpatched areas.

The county has not released the contractor’s pending payment of $1,222,486.86

Schrock said the project engineer was developing a proposal under which the estimated cost of correcting the defective section would be deducted from the current bill. The contractor would then return with the necessary milling equipment, remove the affected northbound lane and lay new asphalt.

Commissioners expressed reservations about making a partial payment before the project is completed.

“The original agreement was they would get paid when it was completed,” Baughn said during the discussion. “Now it’s not completed.”

Commissioners said any agreement must clearly require the contractor to return and finish the work without exposing the county to additional costs if material or labor prices increase. A representative is expected to present a proposed solution at a future commission meeting.

In other business, commissioners received information about Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and ITC Great Plains’ proposed 345-kilovolt transmission line between Holcomb, Kansas, and Sidney, Nebraska.

The preferred approximately 180-mile route would cross portions of eight Kansas counties, including Thomas County. The Kansas Corporation Commission is reviewing the companies’ application.

An open house will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at Colby Community College, followed by a formal public hearing at 6 p.m. Residents may submit comments to the KCC through Oct. 9. Comments must reference docket No. 27-SEPE-0138-STG.

According to the application, the transmission line would use steel monopoles averaging about 135 feet in height and spaced approximately 1,000 feet apart. Conductors would have a minimum ground clearance of 25 feet. The minimum clearance from buildings would be 14 feet under normal conditions and 11 feet when displaced by a 48 mph wind gust.

Sunflower has said it is notifying landowners whose property is within approximately 1,000 feet of the preferred route.

Commissioners also accepted County Appraiser Rochelle Standley retirement letter. Standley said her final day will be Dec. 21 and offered to assist the county with its search for a successor and provide information about potential candidates.

The commission voted to begin advertising the position.

Standley joined the county appraiser’s office in April 2025 with an initial commitment to serve for one year. By her retirement, she will have held the position for approximately 20 months.

The commission later returned to executive session for an additional discussion of nonelected personnel involving the appraiser’s office.

Commissioners also approved an evaluation form that will be used to score proposals for the county’s managed information technology and cybersecurity services.

The 100-point form evaluates vendors on experience, customer service, local technical support, transition planning, network management, cybersecurity, HIPAA compliance, additional services and cost. The review committee includes representatives of the county clerk’s office, county attorney’s office, IT, emergency medical services, the health department and sheriff’s office.

Proposals are due by 4 p.m. Sept. 28. Vendor presentations are expected Oct. 5, with a selection scheduled by Oct. 19.

Commissioners also designated Connie Davis, chair of the Thomas County Democratic Party, and Mark Wood, chair of the county Republican Party, to witness the destruction of election ballots whose statutory retention periods have expired.

The commission approved accounts payable totaling $1,562,095.46.