Lonie Addis was sworn in Monday for his eighth term, giving him the possibility of serving 32 years as a Labette County Commissioner.
Assuming he completes his new term in office, he will become the longest-serving commissioner in the county’s history.
The late Dale Westervelt also served seven terms in office from 1953 to 1981. Read more

Surplus sale brings in $20,950

A STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) participation with Kansas Department of Transportation was signed at the Monday’s county commission meeting.

Sheriff William Blundell told the commission that this allows overtime pay on seat belt “click it or ticket” program. Sheriff Blundell said that the county had a check for $20,950 on a recent sale of surplus vehicles on Purple Wave Auction. It will be divided up within three departments that contributed to it.

See this week’s Labette Avenue for the complete story.

Two tire bids were accepted at Monday’s county commission meeting. Sandy Krider, Road and Bridge Supervisor presented bid sheets to the three commissioners. Ozarko Tire of Joplin, Mo., received the low bid for six 16-ply Michelin tires for the Mack truck at $411.40 each making the total $2,468.40. This will be paid out of the special bridge funds.
The other low bid was awarded to Cross Midwest Tire of Pittsburg for 10 steer tire Michelin for a dump truck with a bid of $400 each making the total cost $4,000 for the 20-ply tires.

See this week’s Labette Avenue for the entire story.

Labette County Commissioners were able to hold their mill levy for the upcoming year to approximately its current level, according to the proposed budget printed elsewhere in today’s Labette Avenue.
The county is seeking a .171 (about one-sixth of a mill) increase, Chairman Brian Kinzie told those at the regular meeting on Monday morning. Read more

Tough economic times and a tight budget have caused Labette County Commissioners to reduce payroll by canceling the Office of Emergency Management which is headed by Jim Cook. In addition to his work in emergency management since 2005, Cook also has served as a coordinator for the commissioners. His last day of work will be Aug. 31, according to minutes of the budget meeting held last Friday. Read more

Two employees of Foley Tractor CAT rebuild program talked to the Labette County Commissioners at Monday’s meeting on possible cost-saving measures of rebuilding versus buying new road and bridge equipment.
Sandy Krider, road and bridge supervisor and Richard Johnson and Rodney Warren presented facts and figures regarding rebuilding three of the county’s large equipment, a loader a truck and a motor grader. No decision was made at this time. Read more

Labette County Commissioners directed the county counselor Fred Johnson to file an appeal for unemployment compensation with the Kansas Department of Labor at Monday’s meeting. Read more

An equipment accident was the topic of discussion at the county commissioners and road and bridge supervisor Sandy Krider at Monday’s meeting.
A 2005 John Deere tractor/mower was totally destroyed when an electrical alternator caught fire.  It was totally engulfed the machine last Wednesday at 22000 and Ford. Read more

A financial institution was approved at the ending of the month regular commission Friday at 8:30 a.m., for three dump trucks.
Commercial Bank of Oswego received the bid of a loan purchase agreement for three dump trucks for in the amount of $262,876 at 3.9 percent interest.
The first payment will be due July 1 for $69,763.17.
Two commissioners approved the purchase of three dump trucks from Joplin Freightliner Sales. The trucks should be delivered on June 3.