STATE CUTS THREATEN COUNTY DRUG TESTING SERVICES

The elimination of a $750,000 state grant program likely will result in a
reduction of community corrections services here next year, Ellis County
commissioners learned Monday.

John Trembley, Northwest Kansas Community Corrections director, said the
state might eliminate the program used to help deter higher-risk offenders
from returning to crime.

The program provided $15,635 to local community corrections efforts.
Trembley said the loss of those funds will mean his office will perform
about 500 fewer drug tests and 330 fewer surveillance contacts.

"Surveillance has always been a real key component of community
corrections, and so has the amount of drug testing," he said. "We'll have
to figure out a way, some way, somewhere, to come up with something, but I
don't know what it is at this time."

The funding reduction comes at a time when it seems community corrections
is becoming more and more difficult, particularly with the substance abuse
issues associated with methamphetamine, Trembley said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do at this point in time. I'm down to three
officers and me being the fourth. Two years ago we had seven," he said.
"The number of offenders haven't decreased. Actually, it's gotten to be the
other way around with the methamphetamine problems that we currently have."

Another budget recommendation being considered by the state is to reduce
statewide community corrections another $1 million.

Trembley said he would have to cut drug testing and surveillance so he has
enough to pay rent, salaries and other fixed costs.

On another issue, Trembley said the public is invited to attend a drug
identification training program sponsored by community corrections at 8
a.m. May 4 at the Country Kitchen convention center in Hays.

Trembley said 52 people have signed up so far for the event, which will
focus on identifying common drugs and discussion of drug issues that
parents, schools, and law enforcement and parole officers are faced with.
There will be a limit of 80 people who can attend.

The event is free of charge. However, in order for community corrections to
offer it for free, Trembley said, the restaurant asks people to eat and pay
for their lunch.

Those interested are asked to contact Karen in Trembley's office at (785)
625-9192, extension 101, so he can get a count of how many will attend.

In other business at Monday's commission meeting:

- - By consensus, commissioners agreed to begin the process to vacate two
2-mile portions of 100th Avenue along the western county line between
Schoenchen Road and Chetolah Gold Road and between Butterfield Trail Road
and Mount Pleasant Road.

Commissioners will coordinate the process with Trego County, which intends
to vacate its half of the road. Other steps likely will include legal
publication and notices sent to affected property owners that indicate the
county's intention.

- - Commissioners want to know whether the city of Ellis, the Ellis Railroad
Museum or some other entity would be interested in the county road and
bridge shop at Ellis.

"I think we should give Ellis first shot at that building, see if they're
interested or not," said Commissioner Vernon Berens of the former Union
Pacific railroad property.

If the city or any other entity is not interested in acquiring the building
and repairing it, Berens suggested demolishing it and building a new shop
on that site.

Mike Graf, public works administrator, said having a county shop in Ellis
is an asset because additional property there can be used for storage of
material and road material mixing.

Another reason is the quicker response time, especially during snow and ice
storms, to roads on the west side of the county.

"I'd like to be able to continue to have some presence over there," Graf said.

Commissioners agreed that having a shop in Ellis is an asset, but the
condition of the building, which used to be the old railroad roundhouse, is
in such bad shape that something needs to be done soon.

Commissioner Chris Channell said he will contact Ellis and request the item
be put on a future city council agenda.

- - Commissioners approved the purchase of a three-quarter ton pickup,
chassis only, for the noxious weed department from James Motor Co. for a
bid of $22,289.

- - Commissioners tabled bids received on flooring replacement, laundry
services and oxygen supply services for emergency medical services to allow
EMS director Kerry McCue an opportunity for review them.

- - Mike Werth, emergency management coordinator, told commissioners that
March 11 to 15 is severe weather awareness week and that a tornado spotter
training program has been scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the Hays High
12th Street Auditorium.

- - Commissioners appointed Mari Kirkman, Mike Walker and Errol Wuertz, all
of Hays, and Peter D. Johnson, Ellis, to represent the county commission on
the CARE Council.

The commission also approved entering an agreement with the United Way of
Ellis County for participation in the CARE Council funding partnership for
this year.

- - Commissioners entered a private discussion closed to the public for 20
minutes to discuss a department head evaluation.

State law allows but does not require the commission to enter closed
session to discuss a limited number of topics. The commission cannot take
action behind closed doors. No action was taken after returning to regular
session.

- - Commissioners also entered a private discussion closed to the public for
15 minutes to discuss personnel with health administrator Butch Schlyer.

After returning to regular session, Schlyer announced that Eileen Parks had
been hired as a registered nurse in the department.