The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services 2018 fiscal year budget. The $635,847.82 budget includes $33,157.82 for prevention and $602,690 for graduated sanctions, Director Marissa Woodmansee said.
Woodmansee said this is a “flat” budget, meaning it is the same as last year. The reason is to allow the juvenile program to adapt to changes in how the state deals with juvenile offenders, such as graduated sanctions and encouraging keeping young offenders in their home communities.
The budget now goes to the Kansas Department of Corrections for final approval.
Funded by the KDOC – Juvenile Services, the budget has been adjusted to allow for working with juvenile offenders at an intervention level to prevent further escalation into the juvenile justice system. As the administrative county for the Judicial District, it is the responsibility of the Barton County commissioners to approve the budget.
In another Juvenile Justice item, the commission approved the purchase of a program car for use by the department. Purchased was a 2016 Chevrolet Impala from Manweiler Chevrolet in Hoisington.
The cost of the car was $7,034, however that included the trade-in of two vehicles. These were a 2011 Chevy Malibu and a 2010 Chevy Impala, both with over 100,000 miles and other damage.
They had sought bids from Barton County dealers looking for a used or program mid-sized car. Manweiler had the bid that best fit the department’s need.
This transaction reduces the department’s vehicle fleet. But, with the changes in juvenile case management, the staff is transporting fewer offenders so fewer cars are needed.
Juvenile Services had money left over in its 2017 budget to purchase the Chevy. Officials said if the funds weren’t spent, they’d have to be returned to the state.
In other business Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:
• Approved the painting of the west and south boundary fence lines at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The work will be done by Warren Brothers, Great Bend, at a cost of $28,917.
This includes removing and cleaning rust from fence surfaces with paint and prime, or powder coating, Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips said. In addition, any cracks in the fencing will be welded and repaired.
“It has a three-year warranty, but it should last longer,” he said. The project will be done between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
The fencing at the county’s other memorial park, Golden Belt, was done last year.
There was some concern from the commission about the cost. But, Phillips said everything requires maintenance, and this will help preserve these fences.
It has only been a few years since the were last painted, Phillips said. This treatment “didn’t last as long as we hoped.”
• Held a 15-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege. Included with the commissioners in the session were County Counselor Carey Hipp and Edward Keeley, attorney for EMC Insurance. No action was taken when the commission emerged.
