January 2024
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
We welcome him to Leavenworth County and look forward to him embracing his new role.
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A view from the roof of the Justice Center at 601 S. 3rd Street, Leavenworth, KS, facing North.
Leavenworth Assistant County Attorney David Melton was honored with the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award during KCDAA’s Fall Conference in Lawrence.
Mr. Melton was nominated for the award by Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who said he was proud to have Melton working in his office.
On December 21, members of the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office spent their lunch hour dropping off donated gifts for the animals being cared for at the Leavenworth Animal Control Shelter. The visit even resulted in at least one cat later being adopted by a member of the team.
Connecting with the community we serve is essential! Thanks to USD 469’s Lansing Lion Pride Cast for allowing Todd to be a special guest on their show in early December. Sharon Burns and Miles Azzeh (picture left) are doing an excellent job with the show. Todd had an opportunity to discuss important topics in our community – like cell phone and internet safety with the youth of our community.
On Saturday, December 2, Todd served up breakfast with the likes of Fox 4’s John Holt and Matt Stewart during the 2023 Red Stocking Breakfast benefiting the Kansas Children’s Service League.
A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Tuesday, October 17, at the Leavenworth Justice Center. Judges Lesley Isherwood, Henry Green, and Rachel Pickering heard three cases. “It’s a real privilege for us that they are willing to take their time to come to Leavenworth to hear these cases,” said Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.
Sheriff Office Job Openings
The Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office is seeking hardworking, dedicated, and career-minded professionals for the positions of:Deputy Sheriff (Patrol Division) - $22.89/Hour, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible, Pay Consideration for Experience/Education
Deputy Sheriff Job Description
Detention Officer - $20.35/Hour, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible
Detention Officer Job Description
To apply click here
After 15 years of service with the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Jason Slaughter has retired.
Sgt. Slaughter's last day was December 12, 2024. Sgt. Slaughter was hired on November 10, 2008 as a Deputy II and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in August 2011 and earned the rank and promotion to Sergeant on April 12, 2017. Sgt. Slaughter spent the last 6 years of his career in the Investigations Division.
Sergeant Slaughter will be missed. We wish him the best in retirement and thank him for his service to Leavenworth County.
The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office recently had two Deputies graduate from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson Kansas, KLETC. Deputies Dylan Shaw and Philip Lagemann both graduated Friday December 8th, 2023.
Not only did they graduate, they each brought home individual awards for their efforts in the (14) week academy. Deputy Shaw was the Valedictorian of the calls and also received an additional award for cumulative efforts in overall physical fitness during his time at the academy. Deputy Lagemann was recognized for an exceptional time in the mile and a half run coming in at just over seven minutes to cover that distance.
Sheriff Dedeke challenges each KLETC attendee to study hard and achieve at a high level in their time in Hutchinson. To that end the Office has had several Valedictorians, Top shots in range scores and achievements in physical fitness.
In the end, the goal is to complete the fourteen week course and develop their skills to the best of their ability in an effort to develop the best Deputies to add to their divisions as they return to duty.
Congratulations to both Deputy Shaw and Deputy Lagemann and best of luck in their new assignments to the LVSO Patrol Division under the command of Lt. Pennington.
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 December and January! We are proud to have dedicated employees on our team!
We also are taking this opportunity to thank Scarlet Ross for her years of service to our Leavenworth County residents with an employee spotlight.
Scarlett Ross, Assistant Director
Council on Aging
We want to congratulate Scarlet Ross on her upcoming retirement. On February 9th, Scarlett will retire after 28 years of service to Leavenworth County. Scarlet took a moment to sit down and reflect on her years of service with the County in this employee spotlight.
How long have you worked at the Leavenworth County Council on Aging?
I have worked at the COA for 28 ½ years.
How would you describe your career and accomplishments at the COA?
When I started my employment at the Council on Aging, I began as the Director’s Secretary, and now I’m retiring as the Assistant Director. I am very proud that people believed in me and gave me this opportunity.
What will you miss most?
I will miss “my seniors” the most. I have always called the people we serve “my seniors.” They bring me joy.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of so many things. My two favorite things are developing programs for seniors and raising money for senior programs.
Seventeen years ago, the Director and I developed the Pets & Loving Seniors (PALS) program as pets have become a very important part of our families, even a family member to many. This program provides pet food to qualifying homebound seniors. The following year, we developed the Pet2Vet program, providing financial support for veterinarian care for PALS recipients. These two programs are totally supported by donations from the community and grants.
The Seniors’ Christmas Project started twenty-five years ago with Santa delivering filled stockings and/or a gift to homebound Meals on Wheels seniors. With the support of our great community of individuals, churches, veteran organizations, college students, sorority organizations, and businesses, this program has grown each year. For Christmas 2023, we delivered 777 Meals on Wheels to recipients, all veterans who receive services from the COA, and seniors who have been struggling financially or with health issues.
Our largest fundraiser each year is the Meals on Wheels Benefit. I am so proud of our community that supports the Meals on Wheels program, and they know the importance of a hot meal being delivered to homebound seniors Monday – Friday.
Not only do Meals on Wheels recipients receive a hot meal, but they also have a person checking on them.
When I developed the Meals on Wheels Benefit, I did not have any experience in fundraising. My first benefit, we raised $4,000.00, and for the 2023 benefit we raised $42,000.00.
Sponsor a Homebound Seniors’ Pet for Valentine’s Day is another fundraiser we do each year. We feature 10-12 PALS recipients’ pets in the Senior Chronicle and the Leavenworth Times. Donations are received to pay for food and veterinarian care.
Our newest fundraiser is for our Senior Express Transportation program. We partner with the Escort Motorcycle Club for an annual poker run to support this program so we can provide transportation at a minimal cost to the seniors.
What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
Retiring is bittersweet for me as I love my job and the seniors we serve. However, when I retire, I am planning on continuing helping homebound seniors with my church, volunteering with my therapy dog at more places, quilting, doing more things with my two granddaughters, and visiting some friends who live out of state.
What would you tell someone working or thinking about working with older adults?
I have worked for 52 years, and my most rewarding and favorite job is working with older adults. They are very appreciative of the services we provide.
Leavenworth County EMS
Long Serving EMS Captain Retires!
Leavenworth County Health Department
The Leavenworth County Health Department is currently going through a remodel. Here is a sneak peek of Building and Grounds progress!Emergency Management
Steps to Stay Safe in Cold Weather
1) Listen to the weather forecast
- Listen for a wind chill warning. Warnings are based on local climate and are issued when significant wind chills are expected. Look for weather updates at www.weather.gov/eax
2) Plan ahead
- Develop a cold weather safety plan in advance to ensure that safety concerns are addressed when it's freezing or when the wind chill is significant.
- Plumbing that is close to outside walls need to be considered; a mitigation effort may be opening a cabinet door to keep from freezing.
- Do not run any generators inside a garage or building. Generators or propane heaters give off a deadly gas but a silent killer called Carbon Monoxide.
3) Dress warmly
- Dress in layers, with a wind-resistant outer layer.
- When it is cold, wear a hat, mittens, or insulated gloves. Keep your face warm with a scarf, neck tube, or face-mask.
- Protect your eyes from the cold with googles or close fitting eye ware.
- Wear warm and waterproof footwear. When it is freezing or when the wind chill is significant, cover as much exposed skin as possible. Your body's extremities, such as the ears, nose, fingers, and toes, lose heat the fastest.
4) Seek shelter
- When the wind chill is significant, get out of the wind and limit your time outside.
5) Stay dry
- Wet clothing chills the body rapidly.
- Remove outer layers of clothing or open your coat if you are sweating.
6) Keep active
- Walking or running will help warm you by generating body heat.
7) Be aware
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia
- Some people are more susceptible to the cold, particularly children, the elderly, and those with circulation problems.
- Check on elderly relatives and neighbors to ensure they are warm enough and have sufficient supplies, mainly when the weather is cold or snowy. They might not feel comfortable going outside to shop and may require food, medications, and other supplies.
- Alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications will increase your susceptibility to cold.
And our pets:
- Keep your pets sheltered.
- Bundle your small pets and wipe down their paws keep the ears and noses warm maybe a pup sweater.
- Watch your animals when applying ice melt. Most products burn the animal's paws, so read the labels to see if the product is safe for pets.
- Watch for poisons. Antifreeze spills can be deadly.
- Large animals need shelter to escape the cold, straw, lean-to, and or a refuge of sorts. Large livestock animals can take the cold weather better than humans, so we might be doing more harm than good when we place livestock in a warm environment when it's cold out.
- Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and feed daily.
Be safe in the coming days, Leavenworth County!
- The Leavenworth County Treasurer’s office is proud to announce Caleb Gordon as the new Treasurer for Leavenworth County! Caleb took office on January 2nd and is already working hard to make our office great. If you have not had the honor of meeting Caleb, please feel free to stop in say hello! He would love to meet you!
- For the month of January, utility trailers are eligible for registration renewal before their expiration in February, as well as motor vehicles with owners’ last names starting with the letter “B”. There are no vehicle registrations that expire at the end of January.
- 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.
- Driver's License renewals at the Annex are now taking appointments again. Please call to set up an appointment at 913-364-5730.
What we do...
Buildings and Grounds tries, to the best of our ability, to be good stewards of taxpayer's money and operate within the annual budget constraints set by the Board of County Commissioners.
What responsibilities fall under Buildings and Grounds?
- The safe operation and maintenance of 10 county owned buildings and three communication towers with a combined value of over $78 million.
- Primary focus is on the Courthouse, Justice Center, Health Department, EMS facilities, County Shop, Transfer Station and Tonganoxie Annex.
- Manages all facility construction projects and subcontracted services.
How does Buildings and Grounds accomplish all of the needed operation and maintenance?
- Buildings and Grounds has a maintenance staff of a director, four technicians, an administrative assistant, four janitorial staff and access to the County Shop personnel and equipment when needed.
- Buildings and Grounds has many tools in the operation and maintenance toolbox and some are three year on-call contracts, a shop full of hand tools, power tools, mowing equipment and needed parts.
- Buildings and Grounds has access to the Public Works architectural/engineering support contract for assistance with engineering and architectural design needs.
- Other tools at our disposal are annual specialty service contracts for elevators, electrical control systems at the Justice Center, fire monitoring, vending and Justice Center janitorial to name a few.
What types of projects does Buildings and Grounds have going today?
- The newly acquired Cushing Memorial Hospital conversion and remodel of four floors.
- Operations and maintenance of the five sewer districts.
- Day to day requests for operation and maintenance from county employees.
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE - January 2024
First Place for the 3rd Year in a Row!!
Leavenworth County Register of Deeds office has placed First for the number of new Property Fraud Alert subscriptions in Kansas for 2023.
We are honored to accept this award for the third year in a row. From the beginning, my focus has been to implement every means possible to protect land owners from fraud and seller impersonation title theft. This recognition demonstrates how actively involved our office is educating citizens about tracking all recording activity on their property. Victims are devastated both financially and emotionally.
We encourage all land owners to sign up for our free notification to keep aware of potential threats.
Sharing FREE Property Fraud Alert & Services by Register of Deeds
I was invited by the First State Bank and Trust of Tonganoxie to share information on Transfer on Death Deeds and Property Fraud Alert. This request was prompted by their Vice President when three young single adults passed away unexpectedly without any paperwork filed to handle their mortgage, home ownership and other affairs after death. The event was well attended.
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 .
Leavenworth County Residents can bring their real Christmas trees to the Transfer Station to be recycled for no fee.
When: Throughout the month of January.
How: Please wait in line and come across the scale and let the scale attendant know what you have.
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
Mission Statement
To provide evidence-based supervision which promotes public safety, offender accountability, and improves their ability to live productively and lawfully in our community.
Sign-Up Alerts
Leavenworth County would like to communicate with as many residents as possible. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter and a variety of other alerts and news from our County Departments.
Leavenworth County is also on Facebook , so residents can follow their local government and stay informed about the latest news and events.
