photo by: Journal-World

The west side of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

Douglas County commissioners will be considering a change that would make it easier for them to remove a road’s minimum maintenance designation on Wednesday.

With county staff’s proposed changes, commissioners could remove a minimum maintenance designation — which is given to a public road that may only occasionally be used and doesn’t require regular maintenance — through a vote or resolution without a formal viewing of the road.

Residents living along affected roads would still receive notice via mail ahead of any votes, but the proposal is expected to make the process faster and less expensive, according to a memo in the agenda.

Under the current process, removing a minimum maintenance designation requires a recommendation from the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission along with a formal public hearing, requiring a published notice in the newspaper. The changes commissioners are considering on Wednesday would remove these requirements.

Wednesday’s vote will not automatically change the maintenance level of any roads. The county has the designation as an option to reduce maintenance responsibilities for townships and warn drivers about potentially adverse road conditions.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS WILL:

• Consider consolidating the purchase of cybersecurity software from Softchoice for Douglas County and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office totaling $123,009. The software, known as endpoint detection and response, monitors computers, laptops, servers and other devices for suspicious activity.

• Consider approving an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation to replace and upgrade approximately 1,610 feet of guardrail surrounding the intersection at North 950 Road and East 550 Road. The county was awarded $258,000 from the federal High Risk Rural Roads Program, and they are required to provide a 10% local match and any additional expenses that exceed the federal award. Construction is scheduled for 2028.

• Consider approving a funding commitment with KDOT to install high-friction surface treatment on curved sections of Route 1055 and Route 1061 to improve vehicle transaction and reduce the risk of crashes. The cost of the project is $258,072, and the county was asked to provide $29,000 in matching funds. Construction is scheduled for 2027.

The County Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Douglas County Commission meeting room at 1100 Massachusetts St. The meeting will also be available via Zoom.