The Lyon County Attorney’s office will donate $2,000 to help Kansas law enforcement and attorneys learn how to interview children who have been abused.
Marc Goodman, Lyon County Attorney, requested approval from Lyon County commissioners during their Wednesday study session to donate the money to “Finding Words Kansas” training. Finding Words teaches law enforcement interview techniques specifically aimed at abused children.
“Historically, it’s well known in the last 20 to 30 years there’s age-appropriate language ... that you have to pattern your interview to the age of the child,” Goodman said. “There are certain ways to get the child to talk to you.”
Goodman said the donation money will come from the Diversion Fund. The money will be used to help fund scholarships for smaller law enforcement agencies and counties.
“When this request came in ... I thought that was worthy of trying to help them,” Goodman said. “I think these services are due regardless of the size of the (county).”
Goodman said he has sent some attorneys to the training who are more specifically involved with juveniles in the court system.
Goodman also asked for approval to spend $1,800 from the Diversion Fund to purchase 2008 Kansas Criminal Code and 2008 Kansas Traffic Code pocket-size books for all law enforcement in Lyon County. Commissioners approved both requests during Thursday’s action meeting.
In other business, the artwork that now hangs on the Lyon County Courthouse’s walls will soon be switched out. Rachel Downs, of Emporia State University, spoke to commissioners and said she has a group of students who will formulate a proposal to the commissioners. The new artwork will include pieces from ESU’s permanent collection.
“A lot of the public doesn’t know that ESU has such a large and permanent collection ...,” Downs said.
The students would come up with a proposal based on their assessment of the space, what kind of people use the space and what direction people are looking when they visit certain spaces.
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” County Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said.
Also on Thursday, commissioners approved an $11,000 expenditure for the Motor Vehicle Department. Dora Hartig, Lyon County Treasurer, asked for the funds to replace five computers, five printers and five scanners. The equipment will be paid for through the county’s multi-year fund. The money will be reimbursed to the fund later this year when a transfer from the Motor Vehicle Department is put into the general fund. The money then will be transferred to multi-year, Hartig said. Hartig said after salaries and other expenses are paid, money left over from motor vehicle fees is transferred into the county’s general fund.
“This should be in excess of $20,000 this year,” Hartig said.
The equipment Hartig requested to be replaced is about eight years old, she said. Dan Slater, Lyon County controller, said the equipment needs to be replaced. He said the county, even though it will be spending $11,000, will still be ahead because of the transfer.
“Long-term the county comes out ahead of the deal,” Slater said. “You’re not using taxpayer money to pay for state functions.”