New court docket system approved
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission agreed Feb. 1 to cover expenses for new software and equipment for the county attorney's office that will streamline court cases.
The new system costs $4,000 for the program and training, plus $1,800 each for three licenses that will allow users to operate.
County attorney Susan Robson said there was a grant available that would reduce the cost to $900 per license.
Robson said there was $3,000 in her budget at the present time and thinks there will be more funds available from diversion money but wanted the commission to agree to cover the expenses in case those funds are not available.
The new program will allow Robson and her office staff to check cases from the attorney's office instead of contacting the court clerk's office.
Eighth Judicial Chief Judge Michael Powers said the program also "meshes with the standard offense report."
"The program gives menu options to speed up the filing process," he said.
The information also could be shared with court services instead of the file being taken from the office.
— The commission approved the purchase of a copier from Business Systems, Inc. of Wichita, for the treasurer's office for $3,851. The machine also is a fax and printer.
Funds were encumbered from the 2005 budget to cover the purchase.
Other bids were $4,990 from Image Quest and $6,758 from Sunflower Business Solutions.
— Letters will be sent to the congressional members regarding proposed property tax exemptions for business owners when new equipment is purchased.
— Following a 10-minute executive session with county clerk Carol Maggard, payroll clerk Tina Spencer, and Sheriff Lee Becker, the commission approved family insurance coverage for new deputy James Philpott effective Feb. 1.
— Kevin Fruechting has agreed to serve another four-year term as Marion County representative as a non-lawyer member of the state judicial nominating committee.
— Warrants in the amount of $1,144,002 were approved by the commission. Maggard attributed the large amount to an annual health insurance payment, annual payments to outside agencies, and allocations to Marion County Fair Association and Marion County Economic Development Council.
— Sales tax revenue collected in November was $49,622, the highest since 2000.
— A policy was established by the commission to have payday on the last working day of the month.
