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Commissioners ask for more information before approving midyear funding for expanded protection-order legal help
Summary
Judicial staff requested $25,000 annually to expand Kansas Legal Services representation on protection-from-abuse and protection-from-stalking dockets; commissioners approved a one-month deferral to gather KLS funding details and options rather than approve midyear funding immediately.
Court officials asked the Sedgwick County Commission on April 8 to expand funding for Kansas Legal Services (KLS) so protection-from-abuse (PFA) and protection-from-stalking dockets can be heard across more days, which county judges and court staff said would spread caseloads and reduce security and scheduling pressure.
Joanie Wilson of the 18th Judicial District explained that PFA and related cases must be set for hearing quickly under state statute and that the court has seen a rise in filings (a net increase of roughly 1,000 combined PFA/PFS cases since 2022). She requested $25,000 per year — raising annual KLS pay from $30,000 to $55,000 — and asked the county to start midyear to allow expanded dockets beginning in May.
Several commissioners supported the policy goal but asked technical questions about KLS funding sources, whether KLS applies means testing, and whether clients who can pay already contribute fees to KLS. County legal staff and court representatives said state law prohibits docket fees for PFA proceedings and that KLS provides representation under contract; commissioners asked for more information about KLS finances, fund balances and alternatives before committing county dollars midyear.
Lindsay Perso, county CFO, said the immediate funding could be moved from the county’s public-safety contingency if commissioners approve now, and that the 2027 budget cycle is the normal place for a permanent decision. Given lingering questions, the board voted to defer the funding decision for one month so staff and KLS can provide further detail. The deferral passed 5–0.
Court staff said services would continue under current arrangements while the county obtains more information; if the board later approves funding, KLS would expand representation and spread dockets to reduce congestion and increase safety for litigants and staff.
The board asked court staff to return with clearer documentation of KLS funding, any sliding-scale or means-testing the provider uses, and whether alternatives can reduce reliance on county midyear funding.
