Menu
Interest in assistant county attorney job less than expected
So far, there have been no takers on a newly created position at the Bourbon County Attorney's office.
Commissioners included an additional full-time assistant county attorney in the 2015 budget.
During the Friday Bourbon County Commission meeting, Bourbon County Attorney Terri Johnson reported there have been no applicants for the position which was recently posted.
"No applicants at all," Johnson said. "What we'd like to do (now) is offer it as part-time position with benefits. We are trying to split out the duties of the office."
"I'm concerned about the volume in the office," Justin Meeks, assistant county attorney said. "I was shocked by the volume."
Johnson said in 2014 the Child in Need of Care volume was high, as it was in 2013, "and they are twice-a-month and have lengthy dockets."
Those cases, along with juvenile offender and also care and treatment cases, would make a part-time job, Meeks said.
"So maybe somebody retired or already in practice (would be interested in the job)?" Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright asked.
Johnson and Meeks nodded.
"We can't manage that office with two attorneys," Meeks said.
Johnson said she and the former assistant county attorney "were pretty darn experienced."
"But you can't do everything," Johnson said. "You always have to balance what you can get done. This (additional) part-time would better serve the citizens, be able to address the cases better."
"We'll advertise for the position and see what's out there," Meeks said.
Albright said Sixth Judicial District Judge Mark Ward came to the commission while they were preparing the budget.
"He gave us a clear picture that the Child in Need of Care in 2014 was high," she said.
Johnson is leaving her current position and will be sworn in as District Judge of Linn County at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in Mound City.
"She's been a good county attorney, very diligent," Third District Commissioner and former sheriff Harold Coleman said later. "I didn't always agree with her, but she's a good one."
Community survey on possible new jail
Sheriff Bill Marin presented the commissioners with the December 2014 Citizen Telephone Survey Final Report. Martin asked the commissioners to look over the jail survey "to review and come up with questions." Patron Insight of Stilwell contacted 400 Bourbon County residents randomly by phone -- landline and cell -- for the 10- to 12-minute survey in December.
The county signed a $16,000 contract with Patron Insight in November for the survey work to determine if residents are in favor of a jail project and whether they would support a bond issue that would be paid with a sales tax increase. The size and location of a proposed jail has yet to be determined.
At 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Patron Insight will come to the commission with an "informal" presentation, Martin said.
"They'll be here to answer questions," Martin said.
Project 17
Heather Morgan, Project 17 executive director, a regional economic development initiative, handed out a 35-page informational packet for the commissioners to look over.
Welfare/poverty cycle, need for leadership, workforce development, localism versus regionalism and readiness to work have been identified as primary issues affecting the southeast portion of Kansas, she said. Project 17's areas of focus are economic development, education/workforce, health and leadership.
More than 1,000 citizens from the region are engaged to make progress on these issues, she said.
Morgan quickly went through the 35 pages, which included data on unemployment, poverty rates, health outcomes, broadband speeds, high-speed Internet and E-commerce.
Morgan said that Circles, a national program of skills development, has partnered with Project 17.
"Fort Scott has recently come into Circles," Morgan said. "It's a 12-week program --it can't be a court-ordered program -- to work on budgeting, work skills... with a goal to get out of poverty.
A Circles meeting is scheduled for noon on Jan. 15 at Papa Don's.
"Fort Scott already has meals on Wednesday night at the First Methodist Church and you have child care," Morgan said.
In other business the commission
* The commissioners approved Public Works Director Jim Harris' recommendation to raise the construction and demolition fees at the county landfill to $23 from $20 per ton.
* Commissioners held a 20-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the two commissioners (outgoing Commissioner Allen Warren wasn't present), Harris and incoming commissioner Lynne Oharah. No action followed.
* A constituent reported that 75th and Soldier Roads needs grading and ditched.
* Harris reported there was a state surprise inspection at the landfill recently and zero violations given.
"We need to praise our people out there," Harris said.
* Oharah reported on a landowners dispute over a newly erected fence on 45th Street. Johnson said the first thing to do is see if any of 45th had been vacated and if so, what part.
* Martin said Sheriff's Office Secretary Karen Roacher's last day in the office is Jan. 30.
* Commissioners held a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the two commissioners, and Oharah and Johnson. No action was taken.