March 2023
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
Earlier this month during a Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners Meeting, it was declared for March to be recognized as The March for Meals Month, the following proclamation was read and signed by Chairperson Vicky Kaaz.
A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING MARCH 2023 AS THE MARCH FOR MEALS MONTH
WHEREAS, fifty years ago, on March 22, 1972, President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for individuals 60 years and older.
WHEREAS, for five decades, this landmark law has helped to fund community-based organizations-like Meals on Wheels-and it is still the only federal program designed specifically to meet the nutritional and social needs of older adults.
WHEREAS, Meals on Wheels programs-both congregate and home-delivered, in Leavenworth County, Kansas have served our communities admirably for nearly 50 years; and
WHEREAS, volunteers for Meals on Wheels programs in Leavenworth County, Kansas are the backbone of the program and they not only deliver nutritious meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities who are at significant risk of hunger and isolation, but also caring concern and attention to their welfare; and
WHEREAS, Meals on Wheels program in Leavenworth County, Kansas provides nutritious meals to seniors that help them maintain their health and independence, thereby helping to prevent unnecessary falls, hospitalizations and/or premature institutionalization; and
WHEREAS, the senior populations increasing substantially, and action is needed now to support local Meals on Wheels programs through federal, state and local funding; volunteering; donations; and raising awareness to ensure these vital services can continue to be delivered for years to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, VICKY KAAZ , as Chairperson of the Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim March 2023 as a month celebrating Meals on Wheels and urge every community member to take this month to honor our senior nutrition programs, the individuals they serve and the volunteers who care for them. Our recognition of, and involvement in, the national March for Meals celebration can enrich our entire community and help combat senior hunger and isolation in America.
Dated this 1st day of March, 2023: Vicky Kaaz, Chairman Board of County Commissioners
Kansas Agriculture Day and Month Proclamation for Leavenworth County
Leavenworth County has a rich agricultural heritage, grown from the labors of farmers and ranchers. Agriculture contributes over $156 million in output and 1,683 jobs to the Leavenworth County economy. We utilize the 194,636 acres that are spread between 1,213 individual farms.
Leavenworth County farmers and ranchers are utilizing the resources passed on to us from our rich agricultural ancestry to give back to the people of our state and world. Our farmers and ranchers work daily to meet the challenge of feeding a growing and hungry world.
Leavenworth County recognizes March 21st, 2023, as KANSAS AGRICULTURE DAY and recognizes the month of March 2023 as KANSAS AGRICULTURE MONTH.
Leavenworth County's Godmother
We all know fairy-tales where the fairy godmother does all the magic behind the scenes, saves the day, and never wants the credit. The most famous godmother, of course, is in Cinderella, where she ensures Cinderella's success, ensuring no evil would befall her.
Our county has had a godmother too. For more than thirty years, Deda Williams has helped safeguard abused and neglected children.
She was a legal assistant, law enforcement liaison to the Leavenworth County Attorney's office, and much more. Many attorneys have gone from the Child in Need of Care docket, but she has been the one mainstay.
Deda (a nickname, yet the only name you will get out of her) did much more than file papers in court; she cared. She watched generations of children come through the justice system. She anguished for those that suffered and worked tirelessly to help them succeed. She would also have opinions, lots of them, on how things should be done. She would let you know, but always in the politest way, beginning with, l'm not an attorney...
Judges and attorneys (young and well-seasoned) all benefited from her immense knowledge and endless kindness. If you went through Child in Need of Care or Juvenile court process, you might not have heard of her. She would want it that way. Law enforcement, social workers, DCF, CASA, and the schools have relied on her knowledge and expertise to protect these children.
Deda knows the children too. I have seen her recite a child's name, their five siblings, parents, and grandparents; she could even tell you where they live. She can do this for most people who have been through court. Her memory was faster and better than most computers, and she was an invaluable fixture in court. The respect for her in the legal community is so immense that she received the Liberty Bell Award in 19XX. The liberty bell is an award that recognizes the extraordinary service a non-lawyer provides to the legal profession.
Besides being Leavenworth County's godmother, Deda is the matriarch of a beautiful family. With Kevin, her husband of 42 years, she is a mother, grandmother, and now great-grandmother. Her children and grandchildren live locally and give back to our community too. She has also been known to mother me a time or two when I need it.
Deda has officially retired. Our godmother will have her happily ever after. A loss not only to our office but to our community as well. Luckily, she prepared us. Deda trained new fresh faces to do the work she loved. Even so, the void of her spirit, passion, and knowledge cannot be replaced. Fortunately, I do have her cell phone number. For now.
Did you know you can get burn permits online? It's easy! Just head to that section of the Sheriff's website.
Citizens utilizing the burn site can see if we are allowing burning that day, obtain contact information for their respective fire chiefs, and submit their own burn permits.
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
Dispatcher - $20.35/Hour, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible
To apply click here!
The Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Severe weather week was the first of March. Here are some safety tips we shared on Emergency Management's social media platform.
Flooding Safety
Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some parts of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a flood can increase your chances of survival and better protect your property. For instance, knowing what to do if you are driving and hit a flooded road is vital. You can also learn how the National Weather Service (NWS) keeps you aware of potentially dangerous flooding situations through alerts and warnings on the National Weather Service website.. Learn how to protect yourself and your family better by reading NWS flood survivor stories. Never drive through flood waters. It only takes a few inches of water to cause your car to lose control and 18 inches to wash your vehicle away. Turn Around, Don't Drown
Wind and Hail Safety
Severe thunderstorms produce a variety of weather hazards, including tornadoes, large hail, damaging straight-line winds, flooding, and lightning.
Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and large hail can be a threat to life and property. Damaging straight-line winds are much more common than tornadoes and can be just as deadly with winds that can reach over 100 MPH. Those caught outdoors during a severe thunderstorm are particularly vulnerable. Boaters and campers should be especially alert to the potential of severe storms. High winds associated with severe thunderstorms can strike suddenly. Winds in excess of 60 mph can easily capsize boats and put campers at risk due to falling trees.
Lightning Safety
At any given moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress somewhere on Earth. This amounts to 16 million storms a year! The United States has an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is also extremely dangerous. Tragedies in school-sponsored athletics are, unfortunately, a growing trend as well. When thunderstorms threaten, coaches and officials must not let the desire to start or finish an athletic activity, or event cloud their judgment when the safety of participants and spectators is in jeopardy.
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year. Lightning kills about 20 people in the United States yearly, and hundreds more are severely injured.
Tornado Information and Safety
Deadly and devastating tornadoes have demonstrated their awful power in Missouri and Kansas.
Now is the time to develop a tornado safety plan before a tornado strikes. Knowing what to do before a tornado occurs is essential to protect lives. Know your area's tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes. Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train. Sign up for your community's warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone.
Pay attention to weather reports. Have several methods to receive weather alerts, Apps on your electronic device, Weather Alert Radios, and TV, to name a few. Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.
Identify and practice going to a safe shelter, such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family's emergency plan. Prepare for a long-term stay-at-home or sheltering-in-place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies, and medication.
Preparedness
Find out what you can do before severe weather strikes. Preparation is vital to staying safe and minimizing impacts.
Be Weather-Ready:
- Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for severe weather.
- Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
- Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents to severe storms.
Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan with an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Get more ideas for a plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
Practice Your Plan:
- Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly, so everyone knows what to do if a damaging wind or large hail is approaching.
- Ensure all family members know to go there when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.
- Remember pets if time allows.
Prepare Your Home: Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows, and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure. Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for severe thunderstorms. Take CPR training to help if someone is hurt during severe weather.
Save these safety tips and discuss them with your Co-workers, Family, and Friends. Stay safe, Leavenworth County!!
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. Weekly we take a moment to post an employee spotlight to recognize a job well done and to help our residents understand a little more about how local government works.
We would like to congratulate each employee celebrating a work anniversary milestone! We are proud to have dedicated employees on our team!
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Colin Pate, GIS Technician I
GIS Department
In this Month's employee spotlight we are excited to introduce you to one of our newest team members, Colin Pate.
Hi everyone! My name is Colin Pate, and I'm excited to be a new member of the Leavenworth County GIS Department team (as well as the county community as a whole!). Although I was born and raised in Lawrence, Leavenworth is a very familiar place for me, as I have close family here and good memories associated with it going all the way back to my childhood.
Regarding my professional background, I first received my BA in history from the University of Kansas before living and working for a year in Sydney, Australia, after which I taught English for five years (at both a middle school and, later, university level) in South Korea. During this time, I also completed an MA in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) online through Emporia State University. After returning to Lawrence to help look after aging parents in 2018, I went back to KU and graduated with an MA in geography three years later and am now in the process of completing my graduate certificate program in GIS through Northwest Missouri State University.
I'm still currently living in Lawrence (with my wife Yeji and our dog Alfonzo), so it is true that it's a bit of a drive in terms of the daily commute, being a part of this GIS team and working in such a positive environment makes it well worth it!
Working for Leavenworth County has been a wonderful experience so far, and my other county coworkers have been nothing but supportive, so I'm looking forward to continuing working for the County and being a new member of this community. Thank you for reading!
Leavenworth County EMS
Leavenworth County Health Department
March 2023
ST-100 Bridge Replacement Project
On March 22, 2023 the Kansas Department of Transportation will open bids for the ST-100 Bridge Replacement Project located on Fairmount Road, east of 179th Street. Leavenworth County was awarded KDOT Off-System Bridge Program funding assistance for the Grading, Bridge, and Surfacing Improvements in September 2021. The Off-System Bridge Program is a KDOT funding source that assists with up to 80% of costs associated with the construction and construction inspection services. For the ST-100 Bridge replacement, Leavenworth County is approved to receive KDOT funding up to a maximum KDOT expenditure value of $1,000,000.
Fairmount Road lies between the cities of Basehor and Lansing and is the only fully paved corridor, north of Basehor, between Kansas Highway 7 and County Route 5/Tonganoxie Road. As a result, the roadway and the ST-100 Bridge are very heavily traveled by many county residents in the center of the County and the surrounding communities of Basehor, Lansing, and Tonganoxie.
The project improvements consist of replacing the existing 40' length Concrete Tee Beam structure, built in 1973, with a 3-Span 130' length Reinforced Concrete Haunch Slab bridge. The width of the new bridge will be 32'. Surfacing improvements included in the project consist of slight grading elevation modifications and 320'of HMA asphalt pavement reconstruction. The project will require closure of Fairmount Road, other than local traffic, from County Route 5/Tonganoxie Road west of the project to 171st Street east of the project. Project construction is scheduled to begin in May, 2023 and will be completed by November 1, 2023. Project status updates and information can be found on the public works department page of the Leavenworth County website at Project Status Updates.
A Message from Georgia Moore, COA Nutrition Coordinator:
Celebrating March for Meals is a wonderful opportunity to share some of the good things the Council on Aging Meals on Wheels program does for the citizens of Leavenworth County. In 2022 we had the pleasure of serving 96,461 hot, nutritionally-balanced meals to 829 seniors in Leavenworth County. In addition to a delicious meal, our COA staff and volunteers provide essential human connections to a lonely and sometimes forgotten group of beautiful human beings. Whether a quick hello or a 10-minute conversation, the exchange of time is needed and appreciated. To me this is by far, the most invaluable aspect of our program. We receive many calls, cards and letters from participants and family members letting us know what we do is good and necessary and delays placement for many. I hope you'll join me in honoring our senior nutrition programs, the individuals they serve and the volunteers who care for them.
Vehicle renewals for customers with the last name starting with "C" "D" will be due by March 31st.
- Taxpayers may renew their vehicles up to 60 days in advance of their renewal deadline.
- Notice of Delinquent Personal Property Taxes have been mailed out.
- Driver's License renewals at the Annex are now taking appointments again. Please call to set up an appointment at 913-364-5730.
- Happy Saint Patrick's Day from the Treasurer's Office!!!
For more information about renewing your vehicle, visit this section of our website: Renewing Your License Plate.
Here is the case map for March's Planning Commission Cases. March's meeting took place on Wednesday, March 8th. The agenda packet is available to view at the link below.
The purpose of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on land use applications, regulations, and policies presented by the Planning and Zoning Department.
These cases will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners for a final determination. The Commission Agenda is posted on the Leavenworth County website and is available for public viewing.
Here are links to the Planning Commission Schedule and Board of County Commissioner Schedule.
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE - MARCH 2023
Come to the St. Patrick's Day Parade!
We will again participate in the parade Friday, March 17th - sharing the services of free Military Discharge recording and Property Fraud Alert notification. Come join the celebration!
New Research Tool in Register of Deeds
Our thanks to the Basehor Historical Society for donating a wonderful research tool for genealogy research buffs. Although not a complete set, it may help to family!
KS Ranks #2 in Identity Theft Report
We have a great state with big-hearted trusting people, too trusting. The FTC found that identity theft was responsible for the most instances of fraud in the United States in 2021, with over 1.4 million cases reported. Identity Theft was reported over 39,000 times in KS in 2021. Using Federal Commission data, Kansas is the second highest rate in the USA in a study by IPX 1031. We had a 95% increase from 2020 to 2021 compared to 2017 through 2019. Be aware of who you are talking with, and don't share critical identity information. Here is an interesting article.
A US News study ranked Kansas #7 for at-risk states for Identity Theft crimes!
The Latest SCAM
Read before you sign anything! MV Realty operates in 33 states. Four Attorney's General have sued MV Realty for deceptive practices that place a lien not only on the current home owner but the future owners for 40 years from the date the agreement is signed. Their egregious actions have caught the attention of Congress. Thankfully, only one instance has occurred in Leavenworth County, but that is one too many!
Sharing FREE Property Fraud Alert Service by Register of Deeds
All land owners received a Property Alert flyer by mail in March, and our phones are busy!
- March 14, 2023 - Lansing Kiwanis Club
- March 17, 2023 - St. Patrick's Day Parade
- March 21, 2023 - Keller Williams Realtors
- March 25, 2023 - Leavenworth Lansing Leadership Class Fair at 1020 Limit St 10 AM to 3 PM
- March 25, 2023 - Jarbalo Bible Church
- April 10, 2023 - Westhaven Baptist Church
- April 12, 2023 - Knights of Columbus
If you are part of a club or organization looking for a speaker, I am available to share this community service in person. Email to 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 about any questions you may have about how that would affect conveying 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 .
Pete has left the building! On Tuesday, February 28, one of our Transfer Station's finest retired! Pete Hunter has been with the Leavenworth County Transfer Station since August 4, 2015. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him the absolute best!
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.
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.
