Reno County commissioners approve $69,200 dome repair, new fire panel and patrol vehicles; district attorney reports staffing and diversion successes

Reno County commissioners on Oct. 23 approved a $69,200 contract to repair long-running leaks in the courthouse dome, accepted a local contractor for a $45,130 fire-panel replacement and authorized purchase of new Ford pursuit vehicles for the sheriff’s office. In a separate presentation, the county’s district attorney updated commissioners on staffing levels, caseload reductions and a first-time felony diversion program that has produced nine successful terminations.

The county’s director of facilities, Kyle Stewart, told commissioners the courthouse has experienced “significant water leaks within the Fifth Floor offices on both sides, the east and west side offices as well as in the dome.” Stewart showed photos of cracked mortar and gaps—he said some openings were as wide as three-quarters of an inch—and said a previous repair left portions of the dome untouched for budget reasons. Midcontinental Restoration of Fort Scott submitted the bid before the board; commissioners voted to accept the $69,200 contract and to pay from the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) reserve fund.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the dome leaks have rendered office space unusable at times and risk long-term structural damage and recurring repair costs if not fixed. After discussion the board approved the contract unanimously, with commissioners noting that temporary fixes had stopped recent leaks but that a long-term restoration was needed.

County facilities and…