Commissioners Begin 2026 with Organizational Approvals and Infrastructure Planning
January 2, 2026
The Thomas County Commissioners opened the 2026 calendar year with an efficient and procedural first meeting on Friday, January 2, setting the framework for county operations, financial oversight, and committee assignments for the year ahead. The meeting was held at the Thomas County Courthouse in Colby and was chaired by Mike Baughn.
Following the call to order and announcements, commissioners noted there were no public comments. The board then moved into its first order of business for the new year, electing a chairperson for 2026. The election was approved unanimously, continuing established leadership as the commission transitioned into the new year.
Several annual organizational resolutions were then considered and approved. Resolution 2026-1 designated the official banks for Thomas County for the 2026 calendar year, maintaining a range of local and regional financial institutions to handle county business. Resolution 2026-2 formally appointed Keesa Mariman as the county’s Freedom of Information Officer. The appointment aligns with Kansas open records requirements and designates Mariman as the primary point of contact for public records requests, educational outreach, and dispute resolution related to open records law.
Resolution 2026-3 addressed the preparation and finalization of the county’s 2025 financial reports. Commissioners approved the resolution confirming that the county’s financial statements would be prepared on a cash basis in accordance with Kansas statutes, allowing the county to remain compliant with state reporting standards. Resolution 2026-4 designated the Colby Free Press as the official newspaper of record for Thomas County for 2026, authorizing the publication to carry legal notices and other official county business.
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With organizational resolutions complete, commissioners approved the list of county-appointed department heads for 2026. No changes were made to department leadership, and all appointments were approved as presented. Officials noted the continuity would provide stability across county operations, including emergency services, public health, road and bridge, landfill and recycling, and administrative offices.
The commission also reviewed and approved committee assignments for 2026. One notable change was made to the Local Environmental Protection Group, with Mike Shultz appointed as the county’s representative and Mike Baughn named as the alternate. All other committee assignments remained unchanged from the previous year, ensuring continued representation on regional and advisory boards.
Inventory reports for 2025 were received from county offices, with commissioners noting that all required inventories had been submitted except for the Commissioners Inventory, which remains outstanding. The board acknowledged receipt of the completed inventories and moved forward without issue.
In infrastructure planning, the commission authorized the Road and Bridge Department to solicit bids for an asphalt overlay project covering approximately 12 miles of roadway. The project will involve U.S. routes and county roads, and commissioners approved the department’s request to move forward with the bidding process as part of ongoing road maintenance and improvement efforts.
Additional reports included the December Road and Bridge report and the Noxious Weed report, which were provided for informational purposes.
With no further business to address, the meeting adjourned, marking a formal and methodical start to the 2026 year for the Thomas County Commission.