Osage County is responsible for maintaining 162 miles of gravel roads and 84 miles of paved roads in the 720 square mile area. Of the 84 miles of chip-seal roads approximately 20 miles are scheduled each year for a new seal coat.Three motor graders are assigned to blade rock roads approximately every 7 to 10 days. Three dump trucks rotate to haul in the three districts.Osage County has 55 RS bridges and 182 off-system bridges. The county is responsible for maintaining approximately 450 county size culverts (25 sq. ft opening). 

Other Department Functions

Maintenance of Roads and Right-of-Way

• Application of Gravel
• Brush Removal: Osage County is trying to remove all brush along county road right-of-ways. 
• Maintenance of paved roads; patching and sealing:

A four year preventative maintenance schedule is followed.  All paved roads in the county were evaluated and priorities were established for annual sealing and patching.  Some roads are scheduled for reconstruction and others for a hot mix overlay.  Proper maintenance provides a safe and economical road system.  Of the 84 miles of paved roads approximately 22 miles are scheduled each year for a seal coat.  Good maintenance of paved roads is more economical than reconstruction or roads when maintenance is not performed.  Rain, snow, heat and traffic loads constantly age asphalt pavement and early damage can go undetected.

• Maintenance of pavement markings
• Mailboxes:  While roadside mailboxes are a necessity in rural areas, they are a potential hazard to a vehicle.  Massive mailbox stands of brick or a stone column can stop a vehicle and pose a hazard similar to hitting a concrete wall.  For this reason, rigid ornamental mailboxes are not allowed on county roads.  Rigid mailboxes located on county right-of-way determined to be a hazard will be removed by county maintenance.  Ornamental mailbox mountings such as wagon wheels, limestone fence posts, cream cans, and plows are also considered road side hazards.  We recommend the following:  Standard mailboxes approved by the post office.  They can be decorated or painted.  We suggest light colors as they show up better at night.  Posts should be no larger than a 4x4 wood post or 2” outside diameter steel pipe and set as far off the road as possible with the box cantilevered towards the road.
• Mowing right-of-way: year round as weather permits
• Sign Maintenance; including 911 signs
• Install Driveway entrance culverts: New approved entrance culverts will be purchased by the land owner and installed by the County.  They will be rocked and maintained to the right-of-way.  Entrances then become property of Osage County.
• Maintenance and construction of bridges: Culverts greater than 25 square foot opening on township roads are maintained by the County.
• Snow Removal Policy:  Paved roads with an average daily traffic count of 400 vehicles or more will be plowed and sanded first followed by paved roads with an average daily traffic count of less than 400 vehicles.  FAS Route rock roads will be cleared first followed by off-system rock roads.
• Dust Control:  Magnesium Chloride can be applied on road frontage a minimum of 300 ft. to help control dust.  This is done at a cost to the landowner.  The prices are determined each year.  It will be advertised in the official county paper, The Osage County Chronicle in May and applied to the roads in June.  With proper road preparation the magnesium will help control dust up to 90 days.

Osage County is divided into 16 political townships.  Each township is governed by a three member board.  The townships are responsible for rocking and grading their roads, mowing and installing driveway entrances.

The main office located at 128 W. 15th offers many services.  Road records and surveys are available, flood plain maps, road closing records and maps of the county bridge plans.

OUR MISSION 

The Osage County Health Department is a public health service dedicated to serving Osage County by providing quality health services and health education to address the needs of the people in our county.

HOURS:

Monday: 8am-6:30pm

Tuesday: 8am-6:30pm

Wednesday: 8am-6:30pm

Thursday: 8am-6:30pm

Friday: 8am-1pm 

CLOSED HOLIDAYS 

Services:

Immunizations: Please call to schedule. Mon-Thurs 8-6

TB Skin Tests: Walk-ins Mon and Tues

WIC: Every Thursday, by appointment only

Toenails and Kan-Be-Healthy Physicals: by appointment only

Child Care Licensing: Call Jamie Roberts (620) 342-4864 ext. 5

COVID testing: Mon-Friday by appointment only

Drug Testing: Coming Soon!

"Don't Spit on Sidewalk" became a popular slogan and was printed on bricks in Kansas in the early 1900's during a campaign by Kansan Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine in his campaign to reduce the spread of tuberculosis. Dr. Crumbine was a national leader in public health and headed several popular campaigns to stop the spread of disease such as "Swat the fly," and he campaigned against the use of a common drinking cup.

Wastewater, Construction, and land divisions require permits.  Permit applications are available online and can be located under the Services/Documents menu.

As of January 1, 2012, all property outside of city boundaries that sale must have a Wastewater Inspection.  The request is also available under the Services/Documents menu.  Any septic inspections are required to have the tank pumped at the time of inspection and paid at the time of inspection.  Inspection fees to Osage County can be paid through closing fees or paid directly to this office. 

Alternative Energy:

Osage County Commissioners to hear Land and Zoning Board Recommendments on Alternative Energy 

Monday, October 24, 2022
8:30 a.m. – Osage County Commissioners Room – 1^st Floor

·        The Commissioner will review the recommendation provided by the Land and Zoning Board. 

·        The Commissioners may vote to accept or deny the Board's recommendations.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEMO TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS FROM THE ZONING BOARD