Barton County Commissioner Don Davis warned taxpayers Monday morning that when it comes to the charges against Sheriff Brian Bellendir, the other shoe will eventually fall. Bellendir was charged last October with one count of mistreatment of a confined person, Nathan B. Manley. The charge is a misdemeanor.

“I want to make it known to everyone that these frivolous charges against our sheriff are going to cost the county,” Davis said. He was not only referring to Bellendir’s legal expenses and those the county will incur as it will have to pay for the work of Chase County Attorney William R. Halvorsen.

“They will be billing us,” he said of Halvorsen. The county just doesn’t know when that will be or how much the county will owe.

Halvorsen has been assigned as a special prosecutor the case. Barton County District Judge Mike Keeley recused himself after approving the appointment of Halvorsen at the request of Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor.

“This is nothing we’ve budgeted for,” Davis said. “It’s a slap in the face, in more ways than one.”

Davis was not only commissioner upset. Homer Kruckenberg called the matter “an inexcusable deal.”

The case itself was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, also at the request of Mellor. Senior Judge Edward Bouker from Hays has been assigned to preside over the case.

Mellor told commissioners later in the morning that she didn’t know if Halvorsen would be billing Barton County or not. She said he serves as the Chase County Attorney on a part-time basis.

Davis said he got his information from a Chase County commissioner.

She did note that it is not uncommon for there to be a conflict of interest with the local county attorney and for a special prosecutor to be involved.

Bellendir’s trial is now set for Nov. 14 in Barton County District Court.