Lyon County approves purchase of Kretsinger property for law-enforcement training and 911 relocation

The Lyon County Commission on April 10 voted 3-0 to purchase the Kretsinger property on West South Ave for $206,070 to house a law-enforcement training range and to relocate the county’s 911 dispatch center. The purchase will be paid from account 044-00-9001 (COVID funds); commissioners emphasized no ad valorem (property tax) dollars will be used for the acquisition or the described project.

Controller Dan Williams and Sheriff Jeff Cope told commissioners the current 911 location was intended to be temporary and no longer provides adequate space for staff or on-the-job training. Sheriff Cope said the purchase would allow emergency vehicles to be housed and stocked on-site, provide 24/7 security for those assets and centralize training. Roxy Van Gundy, LCECC, described cramped working conditions and long shifts at the current dispatch location; she said additional space would aid training and staff wellbeing. Commissioner Chris Bartel summarized the project’s expected public benefit and fiscal approach and said, "The value of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts."

Commissioners noted a federal grant award tied to a targeting system for the proposed range requires that the range be operational by May 2026 or the grant funds could be forfeited. The sheriff’s office said an anonymous donor has already provided a check toward the project and that Emporia Police Department and Emporia State University Police have signaled support and possible collaboration. County Counselor Molly Priest will draft a certified letter to the current leaseholder to end the lease after current crops are harvested; a closing date will be set afterward.

Motion: "To Approve the purchase of Kretsinger property on West South Ave for a total cost of $206,070.00 to be paid from account 044-00-9001." (Mover: Doug Peck; Second: Chris Bartel). Vote: 3-0.