Prior to presenting his proposed 2027 budget Tuesday, Allen County Sheriff Anthony Maness discussed with County Commissioners the Enterprise Fleet proposal, during which he said a presentation from Enterprise’s Ken Olsen “gave him pause,” largely because of the aggressiveness of his proposal.
I’m not saying I’m out or anything like that,” Maness told Commissioners, noting Olen has sent a less aggressive proposal to the three departments that would be involved in the first phase of the fleet plan. “I’d kind of wished he’s started out that way, because that’s what I’d told him, they’re going to want something less aggressive,” Maness stated.
Maness has also spoken with the Cherokee County Sheriff, which uses Enterprise, and reviewed some of what he learned from him, Commissioner Jerry Daniels said he will be keeping an open mind on this as they move forward.
Related to vehicles, Maness discussed the potential of selling one of his patrol pickups to the Maintenance Department. This is the only long bed pickup in his fleet and has 68,000 miles on it. This would replace a 1998 pickup with very high mileage. Cost of the truck would be $20,000, and Maness and Maintenance supervisor Ron Holman will work out details.
On the budget, Maness also touched on vehicles and said what he has planned in his budget is for any replacement pickups to be “pursuit rated” for safety and liability reasons. He also discussed salary increases, which department heads are figuring at 5%, and discussed the potential of using any amount above what the Commission approves for a cost-of-living adjustment to provide merit increases. Overall, the Sheriff’s budget increase will be less than five percent.
Regarding the jail, Maness said its overall budget proposal will be slightly higher than 2026, noting organizational changes will provide a slightly lower salary line item, and the food budget is projected to also slightly decline. The big worry Maness said right now deals with jail medical expenses, which he said may increase due to changes in bond laws approved in this year’s legislative session which may keep more people in custody longer.
During his presentation Maness also discussed long-term maintenance needs for the jail, and a long-range idea for a training facility in Allen County, which would, if it came to pass would ideally be in the vicinity of their existing range near the Allen County Landfill south of La Harpe.
County appraiser Danielle Louk also presented her proposed 2027 budget, which does not have a lot of changes, the chief one being reallocation of funds from the postage line tiem to other purposes. Her main item on the agenda was the presentation of a draft Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, which is also being provided to the school districts in the county and to Allen Community College. Once the final plan is complete, a public hearing on the plan will be scheduled, which requires a legal publication notice once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to the hearing.
Public Works Director Mitch Garner told Commissioners work is progressing on rebuilding of one of the compactors at the landfill, but it will still be a few months for that unit is back from the shop. There was also a brief discussion on recycling based on the Iola City Council’s Monday action to place roll or trailer next to the 911 Center on State Street. Garnet is working with city officials on logistics for this site, which would focus on cardboard.
Marcia Davis from Thrive Allen County provided a review of the last Community Conversation held in La Harpe and told Commissioners the community priorities agreed to during the meeting included improving law enforcement coverage, housing options, upgrades along La Harpe’s main street and establishing a place in the community for people to eat.
