ALLEN COUNTY, Kan — The cause of water leak issues in the District Court offices of the Allen County Courthouse has been identified, and it wasn’t the roof. Last week testing was done on the roof and flashing the courthouse which didn’t reveal any signs of water penetration using a hose with a shower head attached for a period of time
Cory Boren of Boren’s Roofing said they then began checking the area around windows on the wall of the old jail. After spraying water at it for about 15 minutes they checked inside and found water cascading down behind the windows and interior wall to a concrete floor directly above the office of Clerk of the District Court Dina Morrison. Building and Grounds Supervisor Ron Holman is currently getting quotes for the needed repairs.
Commissioners also accepted a $13,500 quote from Welborn Sales for replacement of a large culvert pipe on 400 Street and related items destroyed after flooding last month. Road and Bridge Supervisor Jeremy Hopkins also presented for Commission signature agreements for a bridge replacement on Nebraska Road west of Moran, which is being funded through federal and KDOT monies.
Tri-Valley Developmental Services CEO Bill Fiscus presented Commissioners a 2026 budget request Tuesday requesting the same $78,000 allocation from the county as it has received for the past several years.
Fiscus reviewed the number of clients served in various programs in Allen County and organization-wide. In Allen County they have 22 clients in day rehabilitation programs, 19 in residential programs, and 57 case management clients. 20 people in Allen County and 74 across their area are on waiting lists for services, up one system-wide from last year, but they were able to move 17 people off those lists.
Clerk of the District Court Dina Morrison presented court’s 2026 budget request, which is seeking more funds for legal services, mostly related to increased numbers of child in need of care cases. CASA of the 31st Judicial District, funded through District Court is not asking for a funding increase for next year.
911 Director Chelsie Decker discussed an upcoming replacement of the voice recording system used to record all radio traffic, 911 and other calls that come through the dispatch center. She was recently informed by the current vendor that equipment there would have to replace the hardware with the existing system, which would incur a cost of around $25,000.
Decker obtained quotes from a number of vendors including current vendor Voice Products and indicated another vendor may have a better product, which her quality control team will look at. She anticipates a decision on a new system before the end of the year and has enough budget authority to be able to make this purchase.
Public Works Director Mitch Garner provided an update, saying a landfill compactor is back from repairs, with only a rear latch yet to be installed and that is en route. A backhoe is currently being worked on at Foley Tractor in Chanute. The airport’s new hangar also arrived last week, though a pad for it still needs to be built and recent rains are delaying that.
