Shawn Linenberger

Tonganoxie City Council members heard from an applicant for an open seat on the council Monday, but the governing body will wait until its Aug. 26 deadline before making a final decision.

Matt Partridge, a Tonganoxie accountant, applied for the position and spoke to the council during Monday’s meeting.

He was the lone applicant as of Monday, as the council looks to appoint someone to finish the unexpired term of Rocky Himpel, who died last month. Himpel was serving in his second term.

An appointee will take that seat through January 2024, when the current term expires.

Partridge said he believes strongly in public service.

“That position requires someone willing to listen to the needs of the community, experts and other council members,” he said. “I will do my very best to meet the high standards that might require.”

He also spoke about fiscal responsibility and using local funds properly. He has a background in working with government entities as an accountant as well.

Council Member Jake Dale said he wanted to wait until Aug. 26 before making a decision, as that was the date the council had advertised that as the deadline date for applications.

“I would think willing applicants would apply by now,” Dale said. “But I’d prefer to provide as much time as we’ve said.”

Fellow Council Member Jennifer McCutchen agreed, joking “myself a procrastinator.”

The City Council’s next regular meeting is Sept. 6. A decision will need to be made by Sept. 16, per state statute.

Council Member Chris Donnelly was absent, while Council Member Loralee Stevens participated via conference call.

Council approves $620.5K bid for Church Street bridge project

Council members approved a bridge project for the Church Street Bridge at Monday’s regular meeting in City Council Chambers.

The winning bid went to Linaweaver Construction from Bonner Springs for $620,546.

Overall there were five bids, with Linaweaver’s being lowest.

Others were from Kansas Heavy Construction ($624,513.40), Ebert Construction ($703,715.70), RD Johnson Excavating ($715,910) and Klaver Construction ($787,835,50).