Lyon County could pay off more of its courthouse bonds early with surplus sales tax this spring following a discussion by commissioners during Wednesday’s study session.
Lyon County Controller Dan Slater recommended to commissioners that the county pay off and additional $500,000 on courthouse bonds in March. The money comes from surplus sales tax from the county’s 1/2 percent sales tax being used to pay off the Lyon County Courthouse. That amount would still leave the county with $150,000 in surplus sales tax.
In other business, commissioners also discussed improvements to Highway 50 and Road F in front of PrairieLand Partners dealership for acceleration and deceleration lanes on the west side of the highway. Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods said the Kansas Department of Transportation wants to push the project forward and let it as soon as possible. Lyon County was first told it was responsible for design, inspection and letting. However, KDOT has decided it wants to be in charge of the letting process. Lyon County will need to draw up additional plans to meet KDOT’s letting standards.
Woods said KDOT wants to start letting in May, but he doesn’t see that happening.
“I guess they want to get it let as soon as possible but I don’t see how they can get it let in May,” Woods said.
In other matters:
• Rick Frevert, of Lyon County Emergency Management, asked for commission signature on a grant for haz mat training. The grant is about $39,000 and will help offset Emporia Fire Department’s training and the cost of going to other counties to help with their training. The grant is driven by the Local Emergency Planning Committee. It’s a matching grant and matching funds will be paid by the Emporia Fire Department.