Shelly Williams, Director of Community Corrections, said she and another staff member were attending a specialist class in Yoder, KS, on ways of assisting offenders in making decisions about their education, work and life situations. They are learning ways to help offenders realize the extent of and overcome the barriers for felons in society--to help them become more resourceful and develop the ability to work under pressure. The class is a full two weeks, 60 hours. They discovered after enrolling that they could have signed up to receive 3 hours of graduate credit for the course. Ms Williams said they are now out-sourcing some of their educational classes, at a savings in salaries and benefits. Their finances continue to be of concern. They face a 10% cut after 18 months. Since over 90% of their budget is salaries, the cuts must inevitably result in loss of services. She pointed out the obvious fact that with less community corrections service, the crime rate inevitably rises. One practice they are adopting to help meet Constitutional requirement for a speedy trial is use of video conferencing for preliminary hearings in some cases. Several judges are comfortable using IT, thus saving the County transportation costs. They are cutting caseloads by requesting that "payment only" offenders (those low risk offenders who have only to pay court costs and fines) be transferred to "collections," thus not requiring supervision. They have put one position on hold pending further data on the impact of budget cuts. This position would deal with Children in Need of Care, juvenile placement services. They average 30 intakes per month in this category.
Lyle Butler, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, introduced their new employee, Trent Armbrust, who will concentrate on dealing with existing local businesses. The Chamber has decided to focus at this time on helping already present businesses to grow and add employees. They will assist all businesses, regardless of Chamber membership. Mr. Armbrust is a doctoral candidate at KSU, and has been associated with the Veterinarian School for years. He has served on the Advisory Board for Law Enforcement. Mr Butler said they are taking an active part in promoting the upcoming ballot proposal for extending the 1/2-cent sales tax for County and City projects. They plan to emphasize that this is not a new tax, but an extension of the present one. Ms McCullogh pointed out that the ballot will contain a State Constitutional Amendment to do with taxation of water craft. This a very long statement, and will be printed in "first place" on the ballot, since it is a State issue. So advocates of the 1/2-cent sales tax matter should emphasize that voters should be persistent. They also discussed the matter of favoring local businesses in awarding contracts after bidding. Ms McCulloh said they of course must take the lowest, best bid, but local businesses could be given the opportunity to match low bids. She reported that all department heads of the County work to give business to local companies on non-bid purchases, whenever feasible.
Clancy Holeman, Counselor/Director of Administration, asked for input on the date for the Legislative Conference. Among the possible dates, Commissioners chose December 3 by consensus. They will plan to have a catered meal and then meeting from 12:00 to 2:00 with all legislative candidates (some elected by then) and County Commission candidates, as well as previously serving Legislators not running for for re-election (Schwartz, Tadiken, and Reitz).
Mr Holeman said since the lease on the Law Library building expires September 30, they are talking with the Public Library, hoping they can provide space for it. The present owner is willing to make 4-6-month lease while they move.
When he meets with the KAC policy committee, he will emphasize that the unintended consequences of the law to restrict public access to information on certain public office holders, can amount to tremendous repercussions (for instance, difficulty in selling or buying a house).
After other routine business, meeting was adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.
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