Kansas Legal Services supported by county
Staff reporter
Kansas Legal Services received $2,500 Monday from Marion County Commission to offset expenses when representing Marion County residents.
Ty Wheeler, managing attorney with the firm, explained to the commission the firm is a private, not-for-profit entity.
"We're the 'attorney of last resort'," Wheeler said. "We don't compete with local attorneys."
There are 12 offices in the state, with the office for the county located at Emporia.
Fifty Marion County residents are assisted annually, Wheeler said. The majority of cases are disability claims and domestic violence cases.
Wheeler explained the firm was successful with eight disability cases which brought $575 in income per month per person, totaling $55,700 in direct income.
Successful cases have averaged an annual overall income increase for the county of $200,000, Wheeler said.
More than 50 people applied for services but were not eligible for various reasons to receive the services. Local residents serve on an advisory board.
The firm receives funding from private funding sources, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services, area agencies on aging, United Way, Department of Justice, and other counties.
Wheeler represents seven counties, including Marion County.
"The people we help are people who really need our help," Wheeler said. Clients have to meet specific income guidelines and be in a position of not being able to afford an attorney.
Since 1998, the county has provided $2,000 per year for the service. Wheeler asked for $2,500 to cover a cutback in funds.
In other business:
— An official Marion County Park & Lake map was certified by the commission.
The purpose was to provide official addresses to Dig Safe/ Kansas One Call for lake residents when utility lines need to be located.
Currently, it is time consuming for residents and utility companies to order locates with Dig Safe because addresses for the lake are not on the company's computer system.
— The commission approved two grant applications to benefit the county health department.
Shirley Burkholder of the county health department presented the applications on behalf of Diedre Serene, county health department administrator.
Grants are being sought for state reimbursement of WIC (Women, Infant, Children) expenses and maternal and child health programs.
— Eugene Konecny has resigned from Marion County Improvement District #3, a sewer improvement district in the Pilsen area.
Remaining district board members will make a recommendation to the commission for his replacement.
— Commission chairman Bob Hein signed a mortgage release for lake property formerly owned by Dawn Herbel.
The county held a position on property owned by Herbel because she had obtained a Marion County microloan for her tax preparation business.
The business defaulted, the property was surrendered to a bank, and the county released the mortgage.
— The flag pole located on the courthouse lawn will be repainted for $488 in the coming weeks. County clerk Carol Maggard said the pole had not been painted since 2000 and needed a fresh coat.
— Maggard provided a report indicating more than $157,000 of accrued sick leave and compensation time for county employees.
The report was compiled to be used in planning the 2006 budget.
— Dallke requested and received a 10-minute executive session with David Brazil, county zoning administrator, environmental health officer, and transfer station director.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
