County hears consolidation study
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 12:48 p.m., January 17, 2008
Updated 12:48 p.m., January 17, 2008
Lyon County commissioners discussed the Springsted proposal for the Law Enforcement Consolidation Task Force during Wednesday’s study session.
Earlier this month, city and county commissioners listened to a presentation by Springsted, the company that examined the city’s potential for consolidating city and county law enforcement. Tom Kaleko, project manager and Springsted senior vice president, outlined his project team’s experience in law enforcement and government, as well as the procedure Springsted used to reach its findings on the procedure for consolidation.
During Wednesday’s Lyon County Commission meeting, commissioners discussed the study, which would cost about $40,000. That amount would be split 50/50 between Emporia and Lyon County.
County Counselor Marc Goodman said the Consolidation Task Force does not have the ability to do that kind of study.
“It’s too complex,” he told commissioners.
Commissioners placed the items on today’s agenda for direction.
In other business:
• Commissioners discussed the payout for the remodel of the Lyon County Extension Office. The total cost was about $318,000. This amount was higher than expected because of change orders throughout the project. The bill could be reduced by $4,300 because of a penalty imposed on the contractor for not finishing the project on the projected date. The penalty was $100 per day. Dustin Ochs said the contract was 43 days over.
• Rick Frevert of Lyon County Emergency Management gave an update on the south communication tower. He said concrete was poured Wednesday evening, but the tower can’t go up until some electrical lines are re-built.
jmb232 (anonymous) says...
Consolidation of law enforcement services is not the answer.
The Sheriff and the Police have different responsibilities. The Sheriff is the keeper of the jail, responsible for service of civil process and general law enforcement in the rural areas and small communities that do not have a police department.
The city police have an increasing amount of work to do and they do very well.
There is no reason for the public to give up their right to elect their top county law officer.
January 18, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )