[{"_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",6466214,"mediaKeyId","5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a","parentId",5824624,"title","Leavenworth County commissioners press KDOT on K‑7 planning, debate Port Authority funding and LCDC role","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",542000,"endMs",632000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a&start=542&end=632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a/thumbnail_542000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466214/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-commissioners-press-KDOT-on-K7-planning-debate-Port-Authority-funding-and-LCDC-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466214-ad6dfd7cd3bc2097993f6263b94eb5ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448357&Signature=hKk9N9NhLTx8aMANko4~3beCZ7MB9EErH0tHl82eL4hLzVkrtCkEDFHBacPdS8Pxi1zYX3bn3cLSv0-I1Npu6etZ-vtza8dhUXZC8YXUiiTdSmY79PFpNIMA084KknAdPg-GU-ATEEYVWl4PBYFTFqjxR7jzoSBUVNEaQSvifFOKmEx7qEdCgJ8RqfSuLANKKwwZOeckQgEWN6m1OSGLNmzRvG40OjVibd-u3hc4E5pXjGJ5deCoq~alOsDBkrwoR5gQcY99O1VRqeE1xxYM4R13Qz3-dBcNWQbxqKcdczgVYlmSUPyoIMJyfl2Ax6JF5VN8zj-Mos~e0m3hYbhguA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-09-24T21:30:20.93Z","article","A group of Leavenworth County commissioners expressed frustration with Kansas Department of Transportation planning and funding decisions and opened a wider discussion about how county economic development money is being held and spent.

Commissioners raised the K‑7 corridor as a long‑running example. A member of the commission said Leavenworth County has had a corridor study for more than 20 years and that projects identified locally have not been carried through by KDOT. Commissioners said KDOT placed work on other corridors, and pointed to large planned spending on K‑10 (referenced in the meeting as roughly $1.2 billion) while they see little progress on K‑7 projects inside Leavenworth County.

Why it matters: commissioners said project selection and grant awards rely heavily on official traffic counts. One commissioner said the K‑7 traffic counts used by KDOT (reported in the meeting as about 20,000 vehicles per day) are too low and asked whether the county may legally deploy its own counters; county staff said state law and KDOT rules generally prohibit placing counters in the state right of way. Commissioners said undercounting can affect eligibility for projects and grant funding.

County staff and commissioners discussed practical recourse: county staff offered to pass a reported pothole and location to the district engineer and encouraged documentation so the state will respond. The board also discussed informal options for independent traffic studies that avoid placing equipment in the state right of way, including camera systems placed off the right of way (offered by a resident during public comment).

Separately, commissioners debated oversight and purpose of two entities that work with the county on economic development: the Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC) and the Port Authority. Commissioners said the Port Authority’s reserve accounts contain funds derived from county contributions and asked whether those reserves should be directed toward projects such as an industrial park rather than funding ongoing LCDC operations. Several commissioners urged a clearer, countywide plan for industrial development and closer communication among the county, the Port Authority and LCDC.

The board discussed a recent LCDC vote to decline a county request (described in the meeting) related to industrial‑park funding and criticized what at least one commissioner described as limited communication and lack of explicit alternative proposals from LCDC when it voted against the county’s request. Commissioners asked county staff to schedule a fuller briefing and suggested asking Port Authority and LCDC representatives to appear at a future meeting.

Other infrastructure updates recorded in the meeting: county staff announced County Road 30 construction will begin earlier than expected and that an appropriation letter from Congressman Moran’s office said $6,000,000 was included in the next appropriation for Dempsey Road to U.S. 92; the meeting also referenced an additional $2,000,000 toward County Road 30 contingent on matching funds.

What the county will do next: commissioners asked staff for a packet on Port Authority and LCDC finances, requested a future agenda item to clarify whether the county can retrieve or reallocate funds, and asked staff to coordinate direct contact with state legislators to press KDOT for better follow‑through on locally identified K‑7 projects.

Ending: a resident at the meeting offered to provide contacts for off‑right‑of‑way camera options for independent traffic studies; commissioners said they would follow up with staff and the district engineer as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting for September 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A group of Leavenworth County commissioners expressed frustration with Kansas Department of Transportation planning and funding decisions and opened a wider discussion about how county economic development money is being held and spent.","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},6466204,"Votes at a glance: Leavenworth County commissioners approve consent agenda, equipment lease, disaster abatements, grants and plats",102,1522000,1624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a&start=1522&end=1624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","/articles/6466204/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Leavenworth-County-commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-equipment-lease-disaster-abatements-grants-and-plats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466204-2eb0c31ae564db558b0a175c9f1e5dcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448357&Signature=Bv~iNYxce7-67-HCcQV1OJZeKW6U~t8Hmexltni1xouQAaFAnFH9esm0scZkkkz6odJkEovV14fPbxxHbnk3KU~f~4Vc~at~VYlgDW8I2DUugHXyP6Rth0xrRNvwNJiNYteJFfztfLKYgTXCYv3XLCUK-RfyUMukJZKlY0x0-zL4dK-C8jlpFMYasj40W2XJWVkJsMqcVrV9bnm0MDsKSWHgPkKvHq4SO0r~jw-HAdnwgA8Bn17~2q4WZYU7KL5-amjU3QoGzzG79c9fY3H35T8IJ4v43LmGuLBvJdVWvTxLZAYjWTslahowBgZpXZLY7csTbpecFfH~MHAWIG1FCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners took formal action on a series of consent and staff‑recommended items. The board recorded motions and approvals on equipment leasing, property tax abatements for fire losses, grants and planning matters.

Key actions taken (motions and outcomes as recorded in the meeting):

- Consent agenda approved. Motion to accept the consent agenda was made and seconded; the board voted to approve the consent agenda.

- Equipment lease: The board approved a five‑year lease agreement with VLP Equipment Share for a skid steer with an annual lease payment quoted in the meeting as $8,873.25. Staff said the county’s existing JCB skid steer reached end of life and the lease was the low bid after solicitation. Motion made and seconded; vote recorded in favor.

- Disaster relief abatement (board order 2025‑12): The board approved a motion to grant disaster relief abatement for multiple tax IDs tied to properties destroyed by fire. Staff reported three properties were destroyed by fire and described assessed values, inspection and insurance estimates; the motion to approve board order 2025‑12 passed.

- Council on Aging: The board authorized the chairperson to sign the Council on Aging second amendment to the Older Americans Act Title 3 programs grant for fiscal year 2025. Staff said the amendment reflects the required mid‑year revision and state approval; the motion passed.

- Community corrections reports: The board approved the FY25 community corrections year‑end outcome reports for both the adult comp plan and the juvenile comp plan after staff presentations and Q&A.

- Planning: The board followed staff and the planning commission recommendation to conditionally approve the final plat for Maples Meadows Subdivision (case DEV25085086) subject to the conditions in the staff report; the planning commission had recommended approval 8–0.

How the votes were recorded: motions were made, seconded and each item was put to a voice vote. Commissioners recorded “aye” for the approved items; no recorded “no” votes appeared in the meeting segments where formal votes were taken.

Notes: staff provided details for each item in the meeting packet and during presentations; several approvals were routine and described as consistent with staff recommendation. Commissioners asked questions during some items (notably about project necessity and procurement for the skid steer and inspection documentation for fire losses) before approving votes.

Ending: Commissioners closed administrative business after the approvals and continued the meeting to presentations and discussions on planning, infrastructure and economic development.","The board approved several routine and substantive actions including a consent agenda, a five‑year lease for a skid steer, disaster relief tax abatements for fire‑destroyed properties, grant signature authority for Older Americans Act Title 3 funds, approval of planning plat and community corrections reports.",{"_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},6466209,"Leavenworth County reports lower recidivism trends, opens first Oxford House for women",369,1867000,2236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a&start=1867&end=2236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824624-e0d263a696f27e6c2d69fb86691a138a/thumbnail_1867000.jpg","/articles/6466209/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-reports-lower-recidivism-trends-opens-first-Oxford-House-for-women","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466209-b8088a212bb22009d35e512d87683888/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448357&Signature=BK3dY7v0B86EHnx3Bh05H5-plNzPgkFB6vQmSZP4LrlJhhh4d7nsiH8kffhizdPltCJ4kCPWXS1yF3WmBTaodT16~yqDXSYRAL~ccF8DIbpxdd3zJtZ01AXNTAaQUKHhxsGA7jo2AmQVVhWdfduseQMmcL3pscIMAhpvzYSACz6JV321U0S1orC-AFqiVd-5LAOw3Q2ivaRx2TWVEbeKlt7mOvk9J7uGrV6abUbV0c7XLXpgKOI3rFpTQMMk2RXr9F-NniXYQG-dvcB7w9Gv2cjEgos8mQSnhsjZR6kbkYx0wlhzxxPO4TQpF5oPL7K~iuy6e34MIVe3O-wsSc9Sig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community corrections staff in Leavenworth County told commissioners the county’s programs reduced recidivism and cost taxpayers substantially less than incarceration, and presented a new housing option for people in recovery.

Jamie, a community corrections presenter, summarized key points from the FY25 year‑end outcome reports and asked the board to approve both the adult and juvenile comp‑plan outcome documents. Staff said community corrections programs improve outcomes by addressing criminal thinking, substance use, education and employment in the community rather than through incarceration.

The presentation included prior‑year cost comparisons cited by staff: pre‑COVID prison costs quoted at about $190 per day per offender versus community supervision costs quoted at about $6.50 per day per person. Staff told the board that every dollar invested in mental health and addiction treatment produces large returns in reduced recidivism and improved community stability.

Jamie reported several program successes: Leavenworth County established its first female Oxford House on Aug. 1; the house can accommodate nine women and uses a self‑governed transitional model that requires participation in recovery supports, employment or community service and weekly rent payments. Staff said the county received a grant to help cover establishment fees for additional Oxford Houses and is working with partners including a local attainable housing group and Friends of Recovery Association to find a male house.

Jamie said that as of the meeting the community corrections office was fully staffed and reported an approximate 30 percent improvement in some outcomes over five years across adult and juvenile programs. Commissioners discussed recidivism measures, juvenile caseload trends (Jamie said juvenile caseload rose from about 12 to 43 in five years) and asked for follow‑up details on specific metrics, which Jamie said she would provide.

Why it matters: commissioners said community corrections can keep people working and connected to family and community supports while saving taxpayer dollars and improving public safety. The board voted to approve the FY25 adult and juvenile year‑end community corrections outcome reports.

Ending: commissioners encouraged continued partnership across law enforcement, behavioral health and community providers to build on sequential‑intercept mapping and centralized resource efforts already under way.","County community corrections staff presented FY25 year‑end outcome reports showing improved outcomes and described a new Oxford House transitional residence for women; commissioners voted to approve adult and juvenile community corrections reports.","actionData","errors"]

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Leavenworth County commissioners press KDOT on K‑7 planning, debate Port Authority funding and LCDC role

Votes at a glance: Leavenworth County commissioners approve consent agenda, equipment lease, disaster abatements, grants and plats

Leavenworth County reports lower recidivism trends, opens first Oxford House for women