July 2024 Leavenworth County Newsletter
The Board of County Commissioners serves as the Chief Legislative and Executive Branch of the County Government. Composed of five members, with each Commissioner representing a district of the County.
The duties of the Board of County Commissioners include:
- Approving the County budget and expenditures
- Appointing the various department heads of the County
- Exercising powers of local legislation
A view from the roof of the Justice Center at 601 S. 3rd Street, Leavenworth, KS, facing North.
The County Attorney’s Office thanked the Leavenworth County Commissioners for approving a revision to the Leavenworth County Veterans Treatment Court's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during their July 3 meeting.
The Leavenworth County Veterans Treatment Court program provides a treatment alternative for diverting Veterans from incarceration into supervised treatment and supportive services, amplifying public safety, and reducing the reentry of offenders into the criminal justice system.
Steven L. Collins, 39, pleaded no contest to charges of unlawfully possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine in a parking lot outside of a school in Leavenworth.
Man found in possession of fentanyl near school awaits sentencing
OFFICE OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY ATTORNEY TODD THOMPSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 5, 2024
countyattorney@leavenworthcounty.gov https://www.facebook.com/LeavenworthProsecutor
CASE NUMBER: LV-2024-CR-000049
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – A Leavenworth man found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine in a parking lot outside of a school in downtown Leavenworth awaits sentencing.
On June 26, 2024, Steven L. Collins, 39, pleaded no contest to charges of unlawfully possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on Feb. 16, 2024, Leavenworth police officers were dispatched to the area of 5th and Metropolitan after a witness reported seeing a man possibly doing drugs inside a parked car. While on the scene, officers arrested Collins. During Collins’ search incident to arrest, he was found to have a container containing a white powdery substance, a substance that would later test positive for fentanyl. Methamphetamine was also discovered.
County Attorney Todd Thompson said, “Fentanyl kills! It’s incredibly dangerous, and we must do everything we can to fight it. The substance poses a significant risk to those who use it and even those who fight to protect us, the first responders. A small amount can be lethal. We must continue to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl and support efforts to keep our communities safe from its effects.” Thompson continued, “This office will continue its fight against the fentanyl epidemic; we will not rest in our pursuit.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 2, 2024, at 11 am.
The Leavenworth County Historical Society celebrated the 170th anniversary of Leavenworth by hosting its History on the Lawn in the backyard of the Carroll Mansion. County Attorney Todd Thompson emceed the event. 
Members of the office participated in Leavenworth’s Juneteenth parade.
JOIN US FOR THIS YEAR'S LEAVENWORTH COUNTY CITIZEN'S ACADEMY
The end of summer marks the start of the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office's Citizen's Academy - starting August 22nd join us for 8 weeks and gain first hand experience and an inside look at the workings of your Sheriff's Office. First you get to meet Sheriff Andy Dedeke himself!! Then learn all there is to know about patrol operations - including road patrol, accident investigation, DUI investigation and participate in a ride-a-long with one of our outstanding patrol deputies. Then it's on to investigations - explore a crime scene using forensics and investigative tools with our detectives. Then tour the jail and learn about the expertise required for detention operations. Also included are insights in to our special operations, disaster response and the advanced technology of our drone program, our virtual training simulator, our mobile command, our training shooting range and tactical assistance group operations. Then learn about the 9-1-1 communications center and what dispatchers do to help people on emergency scenes stay safe while help is on the way.
The goal of the academy is to provide an overview of all functions and create meaningful partnerships with Leavenworth County citizens. The exchange of knowledge helps us to improve and guides us towards better serving the citizens of our county.
Space is limited, participation is free of charge and reserved for adults at least 18 years of age and older. Some restrictions apply regarding criminal records; applicants must agree to a background check before participation. Slots fill in the order applications are received and accepted. For more information on applying or to apply please contact Sergeant Ari Ailin at aailin@lvsheriff.org or give him a call at (913) 758-4082.
Sheriff Office Job Openings
Deputy Sheriff (Patrol Division) - $23.35/Hour, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible, Pay Consideration for Experience/Education
Deputy Sheriff Job Description
Detention Officer - $20.76/Hour, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible
Detention Officer Job Description
To apply click here.
Are you looking for a new career?
Leavenworth County is a great place to work!
You can find all of our current job openings on our job opening section of our website.
One of our greatest resources at Leavenworth County is our hard-working employees. We would like to congratulate each employee celebrating a work anniversary milestone during the month of May! We are proud to have dedicated employees on our team!
Emergency Management
JULY'S SAFETY TIPS FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The Leavenworth County Fair is the last week of July, and our team will be there again this year! It is a great opportunity to talk to the people of Leavenworth county, build those relationships, and build on preparedness. Each year we give out hats for the kiddos, cups, and our fan favorite, emergency go bags with great information on being prepared when a disaster happens and other safety tips! We hope everyone stops by our table to chat and learn!
During these summer months it is critical to be extra prepared in an emergency, and also in a severe weather. We want to share some good preparedness tips of staying cool and ready this summer.
Update your Go-Bag- Your emergency bag should have clothes that reflect the season’s weather! So it’s time to take out those heavy coats, and replace it with a lightweight long sleeve shirt and shorts! Also, if you don’t have it already, put some sunscreen and aloe Vera in your bag. It is important to block out that sun.
Stay hydrated- It is way easier to get dehydrated in the summer months when your body is working harder to keep itself cool. Make sure to rehydrate with water and electrolytes.
Take a break- Whether it is for work or for pleasure, make sure you are taking frequent breaks from that beating sun, and cool down inside or a shaded area.
Check on pets- Heat not only affects us, but our fury friends too. Make sure you check the concrete before taking them out on a walk, if it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paw. Lastly, it is imperative to know the signs of heat exhaustion in pets, the sooner you recognize they need help, the better chance they could have for recovering.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!
We want to congratulate our very own Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Zach Phillips, on achieving his Kansas Certified Emergency Management certification. He accomplished this through acquiring more than 20 different classes and trainings, dedicating more than 170 hours of Professional Education Training, which 45 of them specialize in Emergency Management.
Not only that, Zach also accomplished the required experience in planning, executing and reviewing various exercises and actively working in an Emergency Management Position for 2 years.
So make sure to give him a congratulations the next time you see him!
Council on Aging
- For the month of July, motor vehicles with owners’ last names starting with the letter “M” “N” or "O"will be due by July 31st.
- All inspection stations have gone to appointment only, you can find and make an appointment here.
- The Tonganoxie Annex will not be taking Driver’s License appointments until further notice.
- The Tonganoxie Annex will now be open from 7:30am-4:00pm.
- Inspection stations will now be requiring an appointment at all locations besides Atchison.
- The 2nd half of personal property taxes were due may 10th, all unpaid property taxes have started to accrue interest.
- Kansas is replacing ALL embossed license plates, they will automatically be replaced. If you mail your registration payment in, we will be mailing you a new registration with a temp tag. You will receive a new plate in the mail in 1-2 weeks.
- Taxpayers may renew their vehicles up to 60 days in advance of their renewal deadline.
- Note: Starting January 2024 we will be giving out different plate styles. You can find them on our website.
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE - July 2024
Bi-State Meeting on Fraud Prevention
Register of Deeds TerriLois Mashburn along with Platte County, MO Recorder of Deeds, Christopher Wright, organized a bi-state informational presentation on deed fraud mitigation that could engage new technology in their offices. According to Recorder Wright, "One of the most common concerns I hear from my constituents is the impact of fraud and their demands for me to do more to prevent it from happening.”
Recorder Wright and Register Mashburn have been on the forefront around both Missouri and Kansas and around the nation advocating for more protections for property owners and stiffer penalties for criminals at the state and national level.
“I’ve tried to stop property fraud for over three years. I was very hopeful after Recorder Wright’s initial explanation we actually could! There are constant demands from my constituents to not record a bad deed on their property,” said Register Mashburn, “But Kansas statutes demand I record what is presented.”
Recorder Wright and Register Mashburn hosted a presentation in Platte County that was attended by representatives from several industry sectors to learn about new technology that will assist in the mitigation of seller impersonation deed fraud.
Along with representatives of Banking, Real Estate, the KS Attorney General’s office, Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners, Basehor City Council, Lansing City Administration, and five law enforcement agencies present was Leavenworth County Sheriff Andy Dedeke. He added, “This tool will allow investigators to have a substantial amount of information before the investigation actually begins. Knowing who we are dealing with from the beginning will help to shape and expedite the investigation.”
“We are working on a regional solution that allows all sectors to work together to chase fraud out of our community,” said Register Mashburn. “It’s secure and we don’t store private information of our citizens – it is used to flag the bad players repeated abuse nationwide and keep them from coming back.”
The vetting process has just started and more in-depth meetings with all sectors of the industry will be conducted, but both Mashburn and Wright chimed in together, “We are finally hopeful we can reduce fraud in Platte and Leavenworth counties even more.”
So far, this technology has not been employed in any other recording office and it appears Recorder Wright and Register Mashburn would be the first government agencies in the nation to employ this technology to mitigate real estate fraud.
Left to right, Christopher Wright, Platte Co. MO Recorder of Deeds, TerriLois Mashburn Leavenworth Co. Register of Deeds,
Andy Dedeke Leavenworth Co. Sheriff, Doug Smith Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners.
Sharing FREE Property Fraud Alert & Services by Register of Deeds
June 11th - 14th Register of Deeds Seminar
June 15th Juneteenth Parade
June 18th Bi-State Fraud Information Meeting
July 4th Easton Fourth of July Parade
July 10th Chamber of Commerce Coffee
July 13th Riverfront Flea Market
If you are part of a club or organization looking for a speaker, I am available to share this community service in person. Email requests TMashburn@LeavenworthCounty.gov or call the office. I would be happy to share a program on Register of Deeds services with your group.
In these uncertain times, I encourage you to protect your property by also researching the benefits of the Transfer on Death Deed and talking with your attorney on any questions you may have about your property ownership. We have forms you may print off for free on our website.
For more information or to subscribe to Property Fraud Alert, call the Register of Deeds at 913.684.0424 or email tmashburn@leavenworthcounty.gov .
How to Safety Dispose of E-Cigarettes:
Vape fires and explosions are dangerous.
The lithium batteries can become damaged and cause fires. Nicotine is toxic and poses a risk to both workers and the environment.
Leavenworth County Transfer Station can accept vapes, in containers or bagged, from residents of Leavenworth County. They should remain whole, not taken a part. We cannot accept vapes from businesses.
Transfer Station Contact Information
24967 136th St, Lansing, KS 66043
Phone: 913.727.2858
Email
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday thru Friday
8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and all County observed Holidays
The State of Kansas allows for the abatement of taxes on a homestead in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, flood, tornado, fire, or storm.
- Structures must be 50% destroyed based on the current market value.
- Must be applied for within 18 months.
- Taxes may be abated for the current year of the damage from the date of the damage.
- Structures only, no items such as land, trees, or items such as fences.
- Structures destroyed before August 15th will be credited on the current year of taxes the damages occurred in.
- Structures destroyed after August 15th of the current year of damage; the abatement will be a credit on the following tax year.
Public Works 
Bridge A-60 is now open!
The bridge is located on 215th Street, 0.3-mile north of Ida Street, approximately 3 miles southeast of Springdale, Kansas. The bridge serves local residents north of the 215th Street/Ida Street intersection. The project improvements consisted of replacing the existing 18’ wide x 24’ long Timber Deck bridge structure built in 1964, with a 50’ Steel Beam Span Bridge. The width of the Concrete bridge deck is 24’-6”.
The new bridge is located approximately 60 feet east of the old timber deck structure and allowed for 540 feet of geometric improvements to the existing roadway alignment. Reece Construction constructed the bridge improvements for the County. The new roadway section was constructed by internal Public Works Maintenance staff and allowed a portion of the roadway skew to be removed to provide a straighter segment crossing the Stranger Creek tributary stream.
The project was funded through the General County Bridge Improvement Fund. The project removed a Functionally Obsolete rated bridge structure from the County’s KDOT Bridge Inspection list and provided a new bridge structure that meets current HL-93 loading standards.
They are also responsible for roadside mowing, herbicide use and noxious weed control.
Services provided:
Planning and Zoning
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is a 10 member board that is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Planning Commission has the following responsibilities:
To hear and make recommendations concerning amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and the Comprehensive Plan;
To make recommendations on development cases based on the Leavenworth County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations; and
To serve as the Board of Zoning Appeals to hear requests for variances from the Leavenworth County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.
Planning Commission Agenda Packets and Meeting Minutes can be found here
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