Kansas Statutes

Chapter 19: Counties And County Officers

Article 45: Public Works Departments

Statutes:

• 19-4501: Department of public works; establishment; establishment of divisions within department; assignment of functions and duties; division of highways.
• 19-4502: Same; director of department to be county engineer; qualifications and duties.
• 19-4503: Same; county may provide services to political subdivisions within county; agreements; compensation of county.
• 19-4504: Same; financial accounts; use of moneys.

• 19-4501: Department of public works; establishment; establishment of divisions within department; assignment of functions and duties; division of highways. The board of county commissioners of any county may by resolution of the board establish a department of public works to secure the efficient management and coordination of various public works activities and services, including all functions conferred by law on the county engineer. Each department created under this act shall have a division of highways which shall include the construction and maintenance of highways, roads, bridges, culverts, signing and related activities. The board shall by resolution establish such other divisions of the department as deemed advisable and may transfer or assign to the department and divisions thereof any one or more of the following functions, services and activities which they may be authorized by law to perform or provide: (a) The maintenance of public buildings, grounds and facilities; (b) the maintenance of public parks and recreation facilities and other public grounds of the county; (c) the construction and maintenance of any sewers, drainage facilities and flood control projects; (d) the construction and maintenance of airport facilities; (e) solid waste management functions, including refuse collection and disposal services; (f) building, planning and related inspection services to secure the administration of regulatory codes and land use regulations; (g) the maintenance and custody of all machinery, equipment, supplies and other personal property used in connection with the public works services of the county; (h) such other public works functions or services as deemed advisable to secure the efficient and effective performance of county government and which are authorized by law.

        History:   L. 1972, ch. 94, § 1; July 1.

• 19-4502: Same; director of department to be county engineer; qualifications and duties. The director of the department shall be the county engineer and shall be a licensed, professional engineer or qualified under K.S.A. 68-501. The director shall have full authority to manage and direct the department and its employees, subject to the general supervision of the board acting as a governing body. The director shall keep the board fully advised as to the operations of the department, prepare plans and programs for the consideration of the board and make such reports and studies as the board may require.

        History:   L. 1972, ch. 94, § 2; July 1.

• 19-4503: Same; county may provide services to political subdivisions within county; agreements; compensation of county. The board of county commissioners of any county establishing a department of public works under this act is hereby authorized to provide public works service to political subdivisions located within the county, including without limitation water, sewer and cemetery districts. Such services shall be provided under written agreement with the governing body of such political subdivision and only under terms and conditions which will reimburse the county for the direct and indirect costs thereof. The amount charged for such public works services shall include a reasonable amount to cover the cost of general administration. Any moneys received by the county for the performance of public service functions under agreement with political subdivisions therein shall be considered as reimbursed expenses but receipts and expenditures for such services shall be budgeted for informational purposes.

        History:   L. 1972, ch. 94, § 3; July 1.

• 19-4504: Same; financial accounts; use of moneys. Any county establishing a department of public works under this act shall maintain such financial accounts as may be necessary to assure that moneys received by any fund of the county for specified purposes shall be spent only for such purposes.

        History:   L. 1972, ch. 94, § 4; July 1.