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OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK Book V Page 121
February 9, 2026
The Board of Brown County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members present: Chairman Lucas
Heinen, Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and Commissioner William Pollock. Also present was Brown County Clerk, Nicole
Lee. County Counselor Austin Parker was present for a portion of the meeting via Zoom. Commissioner Heinen opened the
meeting at 1:00 p.m. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Chairman Heinen.
COUNTY PERSONNEL / PUBLIC COMMENT
Executive Session
Services for the Elderly Director Tami Lehmkuhl requested a 10 minute executive session to discuss non-elected employee
duties. Motion by Lucas Heinen to recess into executive session for 10 minutes with the three commissioners, Services for
the Elderly Director Tami Lehmkuhl, and County Clerk Nicole Lee present for the purpose of discussing duties of non-
elected personnel, to protect the privacy of the employee. The open meeting will reconvene in the Commissioner’s Room at
1:14 p.m. Seconded by William Pollock. Motion carried. No binding action was taken.
Road and Bridge
The Commission discussed FAS-22 being submitted for the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program and OS-116 for
the Off-System Bridge Grant.
Motion by Lucas Heinen to submit OS-116 for the KDOT Off-System Bridge Grant. Seconded by Richard Tesoriero.
Motion carried.
County Counselor
County Counselor Austin Parker gave updates on: alternative bridge meeting last week, working on vacate road notice of
hearing, and Thursday meeting scheduled with the City of Hiawatha to discuss dispatch services.
Executive Session
Lucas Heinen requested a 5-minute executive session to discuss a potential non-elected employee interview. Motion by
Lucas Heinen to recess into executive session for 5 minutes with the three commissioners and County Clerk Nicole Lee
present for the purpose of discussing potential interviewee for a non-elected position to protect the privacy of the individual.
The open meeting will reconvene in the Commissioner’s Room at 3:25 p.m. Seconded by William Pollock. Motion carried.
No binding action was taken.
Commission Discussion
Commissioner Pollock discussed township intangible taxes. Commissioner Heinen discussed reports of hunting on Brown
County Landfill property, reviewing the grant application process, completion of the Peterbilt overhaul, requesting the
County Counselor contact Evergy regarding the new transmission line, and creating a video to promote the upcoming
Coffee with the Commissioners. Commissioner Tesoriero gave updates on ongoing discussions with fire chiefs, the search
for Planning Commission members and responses to KCAMP inspections.
PROSEAL
ProSeal Representative Sean Bentz was present to discuss how ProSeal, a pavement sealer product, can extend the life of
asphalt roads.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Emergency Management Coordinator Don Pounds was present to discuss the duties of Emergency Management Coordinator
such as fire air support, serving as the Floodplain Administrator, response to weather disasters and pandemic situations,
railroad incidents, and chemical or hazardous material spills.
ONEDIGITAL
OneDigital Benefits Principal Greg Watkins was present to review the up to date BCBS claim summary and discuss possible
cost savings strategies. Moving forward, Greg Watkins will serve as the primary point of contact, including potential Direct
Care options with Amberwell Hospital.
MINUTES 02-02-2026
Motion by Richard Tesoriero to approve the February 2, 2026 minutes with one correction. Seconded by William Pollock.
Motion carried.
ROAD AND BRIDGE
The Commission was presented with a permanent right-of-way agreement with Macjane Farm LLC to purchase 0.25 acre in
the amount of $1,509.79 for the replacement of bridge FAS-51.
Motion by Richard Tesoriero to approve the permanent easement agreement for FAS-51 as presented. Seconded by William
Pollock. Motion carried.
PAYROLL 02-04-2026
The February 4, 2026 payroll was approved as follows: Motion by William Pollock. Seconded by Richard Tesoriero. Motion carried.
General $105,689.71
Road & Bridge 10,901.90
Technology 387.00
Appraiser 8,687.26
Noxious Weed 1,960.01
ACC 11,121.03
JJA Core 8,875.46
Services for Elderly 3,418.74
Solid Waste 5,181.93
Special MVT 1,840.00
Employee Ben FICA 10,163.28
Employee Ben KPERS 13,884.70
State Unemploy/Work Comp -200.63
Insurance -2,774.07
TOTAL $179,136.32

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OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK Book V Page 122
February 9, 2026
A/P 02-09-2026
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The February 9, 2026, claims were approved as follows: Motion by Richard Tesoriero to approve accounts payable. Seconded
by William Pollock. Motion carried.
001 General $25,745.78
103 Road & Bridge 1,766.75
125 Employee Benefit 87.90
131 Conservation 7,500.00
143 Appraiser 35.50
147 Noxious Weed 500.00
155 Diversion 924.87
160 911 SB50 58.08
165 ACC 2,726.44
167 JJCR 5,424.75
201 Services for Elderly 1,342.73
211 Solid Waste 65,923.98
TOTAL $112,036.78
KWORCC AUDIT
Motion by Richard Tesoriero to approve payment of the KWORCC 2025 audited premium in the amount of $1,594. Seconded
by William Pollock. Motion carried.
FIXED ASSETS
The Commission was presented the 2025 Fixed Assets Inventory for approval. Motion by William Pollock to approve the
2025 Fixed Assets Inventory with one correction. Seconded by Richard Tesoriero. Motion carried.
ANNUAL TOWNSHIP REPORTS
The Commission was presented with the 2025 Annual Township Reports with the exception of Morrill Township. including
potential Direct Care options with Amberwell Hospital. No action was taken.
END OF MONTH REPORTS
The Commission reviewed the January 2026 end-of-month summary reports.
Motion by Richard Tesoriero to adjourn. Seconded by William Pollock. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m. The
next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
WORK SESSION: COFFEE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS—FEBRUARY 12, 2026
The Brown County Commissioners convened at 5:30 p.m. on February 12, 2026, at the Bruning Barn for an informal work
session with Chairman Heinen, Commissioner Tesoriero and Commissioner Pollock present, along with County Clerk Nicole
Lee. Also present were county residents and employees. Topics discussed included burn ban resolution and current process,
possible alternative bridge structures and road maintenance, lowering speed limit on county roads, tax foreclosure sale process,
employee health insurance cost and alternative solutions. No action was taken. The work session adjourned at 7:31 p.m.