[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6665609,"mediaKeyId","2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9","parentId",2347195,"title","County staff to draft rules for alcohol at SUP events: licensed vendors or certified bartenders and law-enforcement presence recommended","audioSeconds",868,"startMs",2244000,"endMs",3112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9&start=2244&end=3112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9/thumbnail_2244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6665609/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/County-staff-to-draft-rules-for-alcohol-at-SUP-events-licensed-vendors-or-certified-bartenders-and-law-enforcement-presence-recommended","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665609-985633d33e451f716a6fb374e45c5e89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197279&Signature=FvvTAtKfhKIDgXNrct-2rL2is173c3gq2Flf07g2KHwa6TLHZ1~jmUEoAElHLGsDeVWFzg7G4tADeXhaA4IPz0zmagunLh1E5GD1UwEp7iIjpzJYeT51P4CcEw36jMc7IypkKTm0~PdIowoXuP9iWO98JlsihCv054y7EYRDfJNeTp1U7BzmdPshv2EGgE7-jn1tgb3q6TTaHq-~eFWQMxWAwcDpjIGQb3Fq8s4ecOAM-oPRGxwugwQVkftKglw4OC-VQJDw~LcpZpKdGO2kusADO691phgtdiImr3CKoE1fUxji5oUio4uaS-RpIZrGc~xmkHpE-ryKFHzKdtONBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-02-19T20:34:17.893Z","article","Leavenworth County planning staff and legal counsel briefed commissioners on possible regulations for alcohol service at special-use permits (SUPs) and asked whether the board wanted to require certified bartenders, licensed vendors, or law-enforcement coverage for events that include alcohol.

Staff reported Kansas state law does not mandate statewide bartender licensing; rather, certification courses are provided by a range of third-party providers and the state recommends but does not require certification. Planning staff said many third-party courses are offered (\"20 to 30\" providers identified in staff research) and that typical certification courses take a few hours and certifications commonly expire after about three years, depending on the issuer. Staff also said neighboring Kansas counties (Johnson, Douglas and Miami) do not require bartender certification for SUPs and typically rely on state licensing and temporary CMB/caterer credentials.

County Counselor Misty Brown and planning staff stressed that enforcement options exist even if the county does not condition SUP approval on certification: staff can require events to use licensed vendors, send planning and zoning personnel for unannounced compliance checks, or require certified law-enforcement officers to be present at higher-risk events. Commissioners asked staff to prepare draft policy language that would: (1) permit alcohol only if distributed by a licensed vendor or by a certified bartender at a designated distribution point, and (2) require certified law-enforcement presence for certain TSUPs/SUPs where enforcement is likely to be necessary.

Staff noted practical matters commissioners should consider, including availability of officers from a pool of jurisdictions (not only Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office) and potential insurance or dram-shop liability considerations tied to certification and vendor licensing. Commissioners instructed staff to return with proposed text amendments and enforcement language and indicated they preferred to adopt a policy promptly rather than wait for the annual text-amendment cycle.

Why it matters: upcoming and recurring special events that include alcohol require consistent enforcement to prevent sales or distribution to minors and to reduce public-safety risks. Draft policy language could standardize requirements across all event centers and special events in the county.

Next steps: staff will draft proposed ordinance/text amendments and enforcement protocols for review by the board and legal counsel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting for February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County planning staff reported Kansas does not mandate bartender certification, neighboring counties do not require it for temporary events, and commissioners directed staff to draft policy options that would require licensed vendors or certified bartenders and law-enforcement presence at certain special event permits (SUPs/TSUPs).","taxTitle","Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665614,"Commissioners vote to hold $85,000 scheduled for Port Authority pending work session and governance assurances",692,1456000,2148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9&start=1456&end=2148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9/thumbnail_1456000.jpg","/articles/6665614/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commissioners-vote-to-hold-85000-scheduled-for-Port-Authority-pending-work-session-and-governance-assurances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665614-94f6a018c9afeb3d327a34a6fbf54fd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197279&Signature=ftuQKdbWQnr4b08ONi2rFShsdkh7i1csKw3JGIZPFt6Z9ZkRgx9mKxq3Mn1Ut1DDEn6eSotT~iK8wmVMv9ni-W0KF97kTdFtToZTiQsjxmeRU6y-YSSHuXVYhree6y6hgeM8Q2PxeNJRHwrXav3MhsEIMgZM7BIUQGErfkZXzJ0pd9wzNu2TX-z2S71QV1wFprRMrbtfJgUsDYmKHlX436KrBq017qiBbLK2gzhH68pboXg~aeuRsrWcaeEGahmWvXQxS7enVdOV0LF2zT02LGrw6SPV8AccwIU1mh4Wxa~D71Xk4eqnk5H41ZGQ2hNGvykTY-10EN48wNyZVaOjoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners voted to delay distribution of an $85,000 county allocation to the Port Authority after commissioners said they want a work session and stronger governance assurances before providing further funds to the Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC).

Commissioners discussed a recent newspaper article and public concerns about how money routed through the Port Authority supports the LCDC. County staff confirmed the requested $85,000 for 2025 had been received and, absent direction from the Board of County Commissioners, would be disbursed under current policy. Commissioners said they were concerned that, because money flows from county coffers through the Port Authority, the county is effectively the primary funder of the LCDC and should have greater oversight when the county comprises a large share of an outside agency's budget.

A commissioner suggested postponing additional funding until a joint work session with the Port Authority and the LCDC and asked that future funding be contingent on the county having a designated representative on the LCDC executive committee. A motion to hold the distribution until the requested work session and governance assurances passed on a motion and second; a roll call recorded unanimous aye votes.

County staff and commissioners also noted the Port Authority itself holds reserves (staff cited approximately $750,000) and that the funds in question are routed to the Port Authority rather than paid directly to the LCDC. Staff explained the county's policy for outside agencies requires certain stipulations for funding, including local banking, nonprofit status, provision of audits where required, and board representation when county funding exceeds a threshold.

Why it matters: the decision affects how the county directs taxpayer funds for economic development and clarifies the county's expectations for oversight when county support represents a significant portion of an organization's operating budget.

Meeting action: the board made and seconded a motion to withhold the $85,000 scheduled to be distributed to the Port Authority pending a work session and assurances on executive committee representation for the county. The motion passed with unanimous aye votes recorded during roll call.

Next steps: commissioners directed staff to schedule a work session with the Port Authority and LCDC, and elements of the county's funding policy will be used in that review. Several commissioners said they want to draft a policy requiring designation of a county representative on the executive committee of outside agencies that receive substantial county funding.","Leavenworth County commissioners instructed staff to withhold the county's $85,000 disbursement to the Port Authority until a work session on relationships with the LCDC and until the county secures an executive committee seat requirement for future funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665617,"Residents and shelter warn Leavenworth County commissioners of shelter strain as sheriff contract shifts",573,118000,691000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9&start=118&end=691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347195-3b7437497c5f29b86f59f291ef0372c9/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6665617/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Residents-and-shelter-warn-Leavenworth-County-commissioners-of-shelter-strain-as-sheriff-contract-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665617-5675d4ce5818b711ef2b3ebbe612acf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197279&Signature=GE8DOBGQYBKYNlQfxS4t25W5Mn7cZBeUypIRRQa2Cg3dBWVQ-8YBEFFZYjO55JZn9xOAUiDzJon7hTRgNftjKUVsplSeDGHvSGH0GuiviJfijT6A7M9CSRjYRDkE1CP6nCau3Zw47GR2e7oVCb80RK5qV0u4Um5JA6CB9XpFDVS2rJwx-aqTIVnuSbqVRSF8HoOkHcRAQ4WoqVWpwW4F-6QGT81TspuNU46ZnSrhXW7ehXbK3-KpP0evO~LF7CIJNn~ncagO5UmCmeVDoX0Zf~2KMNERTzHIxQqNMLIhvG4v-d~ZANnTmXj23N8HlNrRHoyfBFilVa1eB51Liav9-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and Leavenworth County Humane Society leaders told the Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners on an agenda item that volunteers and a contract change at the sheriff's office have left the county's only no-kill shelter under strain and facing a potential closure.

David Clifton, a county resident of more than 25 years, said county residents rely on county-funded animal control because many live outside city limits. He told commissioners there is a dispute about how sheriff's funding and responsibilities for animal control are being handled and that the shelter is an important no-kill resource for stray and abandoned animals in the county. \"As far as I know, the humane society is one of very few no-kill shelters within Leavenworth County,\" Clifton said.

Crystal Blackdeer, executive director of Leavenworth County Humane Society, said the shelter has worked with the sheriff's office on cases with criminal case numbers but that most strays and abandoned animals are handled by volunteers or brought directly to the shelter by residents. Blackdeer said the shelter received county contract support previously at $1,250 per month (with annual increases to $1,474.03 at the contract's fifth year) but that the organization requested $8,333 per month (about $106,000 per year) to cover intakes from the county, Basehor and Lansing. Blackdeer said the shelter placed a deadline of March 31 to avoid closure if the situation does not improve, and that recent community donations have extended operations only through that date.

County staff told commissioners that Sheriff's Office communications to the board said the sheriff has a contract with Debs Riverview Kennels and Rescue to shelter dogs and cats caught in the county; that contract runs through May 2026 and uses the same terms previously used with Lorimer County Humane Society, the staff memo said. Blackdeer said Debs is inspected under state Department of Agriculture standards as both a kennel and a rescue, but that the kennel may not have sufficient capacity for the volume of strays brought in by residents or handled by volunteers.

Speakers and shelter staff described a large volunteer response in the county, naming one frequent volunteer, Sierra Jost, who they said individually brings dozens of animals to the shelter each year. Blackdeer said volunteers and residents often transport animals after finding them; she said the sheriff's office typically handles animals that come with a cruelty or neglect investigation (criminal case number) but that deputies are generally not allowed to transport animals in patrol vehicles. \"Most of the deputies aren't allowed to transport,\" Blackdeer said.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the shelter during the meeting. Several commissioners said they will look at the budget and the sheriff's upcoming presentations to determine whether funding or a revised approach is feasible; one commissioner noted the earliest practical review could come during the county budget cycle in a few months.

Why it matters: local shelter capacity affects animal welfare, public safety (road hazards, livestock risk), and volunteer time; if the shelter closes, residents and volunteers said they fear increased euthanasia or unmanaged strays.

Community members and shelter officials asked for clearer county-sheriff coordination and for the county to consider funding levels that match the shelter's intake from unincorporated areas. Officials and residents provided data on last year's intakes: Blackdeer said 52 dogs came from county areas last year and only 18 were reclaimed by owners. She also said the shelter is assessing temporary operations limited to Basehor and Lansing while the board considers a county contract.

The board encouraged further individual follow-ups with the shelter director and sheriff's office and signaled it would review the matter during the budget process if necessary.","Public commenters and Leavenworth County Humane Society officials told county commissioners volunteers and a contract change are straining shelter capacity; the shelter says it may close by March 31 without more support and county staff said the sheriff has a contract with Debs Riverview Kennels through May 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff to draft rules for alcohol at SUP events: licensed vendors or certified bartenders and law-enforcement presence recommended

Commissioners vote to hold $85,000 scheduled for Port Authority pending work session and governance assurances

Residents and shelter warn Leavenworth County commissioners of shelter strain as sheriff contract shifts