Staff writer
A controversy last fall over funding for Families and Communities Together was settled by county commissioners Monday.
In August, health department administrator Diedre Serene asked to remove $6,000 earmarked for FACT from her budget.
Serene wanted FACT’s allocation to instead come from the county’s general fund, and redirect funds in her budget to address health issues.
At the time, commissioners took no action. A budget approved Monday had that money coming from the general fund.
FACT director Ashlee Gann submitted a request Monday for $6,000 for 2016. She said problems last year with receiving quarterly payments from the county had been resolved.
“We have already received funds for this year,” Gann said.
Commissioners had limited conversation about the issue from last year, and then approved the budget allocation for FACT for 2016 for $6,000.
Other budget allocations approved included: Kansas Legal Services, $4,000; Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center, $2,500; Prairie View, $62,000; Harvey/Marion County CDDO, $62,000; Marion County Fair, $16,700; and Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank, $3,000.
Commissioner Randy Dallke also asked Gann if she would be able to recruit someone from the program to report with how FACT has been a positive presence in Marion County.
“I think (anti-poverty group) Circles would be good,” Dallke said, “because they are willing and ready to share what has positively impacted them.”
After the commissioners voted 3-0 for the budgets, Dallke joked with Gann, saying that “if we cut your money, we will write you a letter.”
Mike Beneke, who has spoken to commissioners before about county road conditions, asked them during the public comments if they were planning on letting landowners fix their own roads if road crews couldn’t get to them in time after a big rain.
Chairman Dan Holub said he had gone to Topeka to speak with KDOT officials and was still trying to figure out liability issues.
“You put down rock, spread it out, that’s one thing,” Holub said. “Building roads is a whole different thing.”
In other business:
- Holub signed permits to allow Mid America Pipeline to repair existing pipeline on 340th Rd. between Mustang and Nighthawk Rds. and on 360th Rd. between Sunflower and Timber Rds.
- Commissioners approved a request from park and lake superintendent Steve Hudson for a Girl Scout and Boy Scout point camping site to repair four electrical boxes for $5,000 to $5,500.
- Holub asked to go into a 5 minute session with Crawford to discuss non-elected personnel performance.