Staff writer
Marion County Law Enforcement and Public Safety Center Committee voted Thursday to send its recommendations to Marion County Commission.
Its recommendations include two possible architects and a financing plan for a possible new jail, sheriff’s department offices, and 911 dispatch. The committee is recommending the commission select either Treanor Architects, P.A., of Topeka, or HMN Architects, Inc., of Overland Park, for the project.
The committee voted to recommend financing any facility with a flat assessment per house in Marion County. It is still unclear whether the county can use that financing method, but the committee decided to let commissioners sort that out.
If the attorney general’s office nixes that plan, the county could seek statutory authorization for the plan from the Kansas Legislature.
Committee members Mike Kleiber, JoAnn Knak, Dan Peugh, and Dan Kinning will work with Sheriff Rob Craft to verify the cost of transporting inmates to other counties.
The next committee meeting will be announced at a later date, sometime after Marion County Commission reviews the recommendations.
Flynn resigns from committee
Committee Chairman Danny Flynn resigned from the committee, because he has taken a job in Hutchinson.
He thanked the other members for their efforts and recommended the committee select either Kleiber or Ed Wheeler to become the new chairman. Kleiber was selected by unanimous vote.
Several committee members expressed gratitude to Flynn for his work with the committee.
Committee addresses open meeting issue
Committee members signed a letter to Assistant Attorney General Michael Smith, agreeing that the committee is subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.
The letter stated the committee’s intentions to proceed according to the act’s standards.