Landplan Engineering will be hired by Douglas County to round out the remaining design services for the proposed improvements to the county fairgrounds.

Sarah Plinsky, the assistant county administrator, said once Landplan’s responsibilities are complete, the county can submit its entire design proposal for the $6.5 million worth of improvements to the city of Lawrence for approval. She said she hopes to submit it by the end of December.

The county will pay the firm $115,000 to provide civil engineering services, such as a storm water drainage study, traffic impact analysis and waterline designs.

The fairground renovations include a new open pavilion, expanded parking and a new public meeting hall.

The Douglas County Commission voted to waive its formal process of requesting proposals from other firms since Landplan has worked with the county on fairgrounds improvements since 2006.

A method of paying for the improvements has yet to be established, Plinsky said. However she expects the commission to discuss options at its Nov. 19 meeting. Plinsky also said county officials are working to hold public meetings to solicit feedback on the renovations before the end of the year.

If all goes according to plan and the design proposal receives city approval — a requirement since the fairgrounds are within city limits — Plinsky said the county could begin searching for a construction manager in spring 2015.

In other business Wednesday, the commission also recognized Edna Brubaker, a line supervisor for Douglas County Emergency Communications. She recently won the 2013 Supervisor of the Year award from the Kansas Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

Brubaker has worked within the department since 1993. Deputy director Lori Alexander called her a “great asset to the department.”