Sheriff Bill Martin, Under-sheriff Kevin Davidson, and Angie Eads, Director for the Sixth Judicial District Community Corrections, spoke with Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower about a possibility of saving the county money by changing their juvenile detention center provider.
The county has use the facility in Girard, KS for juvenile detention services for several years. The annual contract amount has risen steadily over the last few years. Martin asked that the commissioner consider the option of changing to a pay-as-you-go agreement with the facilities in either Johnson or Douglas County.
Undersheriff Kevin Davidson researched the county’s interaction with the juvenile detention facility at Girard. The 2023 budget for Girard was $81,227, in 2024 it was $90,000, and the same is budgeted for 2025. Johnson County has a program that charges the county $180 per day to keep Bourbon County juveniles. Douglas County offers a similar rate and service.
He said that if the county had used Johnson or Douglas County’s juvenile detention centers in 2023, the county could have saved more than $50,000, and more than that in 2024.
Martin said they’ve been discussing getting away with Girard for years. He wants the commission to think very seriously about changing from an annual contract with Girard to a pay-as-you-go set up with either Douglas or Johnson County. He also said they only sent 3 or 4 kids to Girard last year.
Commissioner Mika Milburn said the worst case scenario from the county’s records was in 2022 with 548 days of juveniles from Bourbon County at Gerard. At the $180 per day rate, the cost would be $98,640 for the year.
Eads, whose department does the juvenile intake and assessments to determine, alongside law enforcement, if a juvenile should be held in detention, said that in a 3-year period, one individual used up more than 50% of the days that the county paid for juvenile detention.
County Clerk Susan Walker said that her records show higher numbers billed to Bourbon County for juvenile detention services, causing her to wonder if they have been over-billed. Her math shows a cost of $236-$274 per day over the last few years.
She also said that getting a contract with Girard has become a challenge, that in 2024 it was $98,000 and in 2025 it is $134,000. She also recommended looking at changing to the per-day system that the Sheriff’s department is suggesting.
“You’ll save right off the bat,” said Walker.
Martin plans to bring information for the agreement with Johnson County to the commission for their consideration.
SEK Mental Health Budget
“This has been an ongoing controversy,” said Beerbower. He has been visiting with the 6 counties that also use SEK Mental Health, and said most of them have elected to reduce the budget money towards SEK Mental Health and have recalled their board members. This may be due to a rise in the pay to the CEO.
Bourbon County SEK Mental Health board member Marty Dewitt was at the meeting. He is the pastor of Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church and has been on the board of SEK Mental Health for the past 10 years. The other member from Bourbon County is Jeff Fischer.
Beerbower suggested waiting for a third commissioner to be sworn in before making any decisions. Milburn agreed
Dr. Cohen Service Agreement
Milburn reviewed the contract and spoke to Dr. Cohen, and he removed number 7 from the contract and explained further about number 9, now number 8.
Milburn moved to sign the new contract. Beerbower agreed and signed as chair.
Budget Committee Selection
Commissioners read letters of interest aloud in the meeting. Those who submitted letters were: Greg Motley (already appointed to sit in on all budget hearings), Carolyn Smith, Katy Casper, Joseph Smith, Marla Heckman, Josh Jones, and Michael Hoyt.
Milburn chose Carolyn Smith and Katy Casper. Beerbower chose Marla Heckman and Josh Jones. Along with Greg Motley, that creates a board of 5. Motley will report to the commission and organize the meetings of the board.
The commissioners thanked everyone for their letters of interest.
Parliamentarian Proposal
Kaety Bowers agreed to serve as parliamentarian to the board of county commissioners. Milburn recommended having more than one parliamentarian to allow for scheduling conflicts. At this time, Bowers is the only one who has agreed to serve. Milburn’s motion included adding parliamentarians “as they decide they want to volunteer,” and was approved.
Mission Statement
Beerbower liked the long version of the mission that Milburn read in the meeting on June 2.
Milburn received some feedback from a citizen, Courtney Halsey, and read it in the meeting.
Beerbower moved to adopt the mission statement submitted by Milburn and the vision statement submitted by Halsey.
Motion carried.
Office Restructuring
The commissioners discussed the required changes in how county office space is used that will occur in January of 2026, when the commission moves from 3 to 5 commissioners. Milburn said that because of all they have going on as a county right now and her stance of only doing what’s absolutely necessary at this time, she is not in favor of spending any money or time on restructuring right now.
Beerbower said that he has received feedback from citizens to the same effect.
“You have a valid point, that we don’t need to rush into this,” said Beerbower.
Beerbower moved to cancel the restructuring for now, to be added back on later in the year when needed. Motion carried.
New Business
Commissioners held a 15 minute Executive Session with members of the Sheriff’s department for matters pertaining to non-elected personnel to protect their privacy. They returned to regular session with no action.
A second Executive Session was held to discuss other personnel matters with just the two commissioners attending. They returned to regular session with no action.
Property Disaster Relief Application – Duane & Tawnya Glasscock
Milburn moved to sign the abatement for 1726 Buckeye Road based on photographic evidence submitted by the Glasscocks. Motion carried.
SEK Regional Planning Commission Update
Greg Motley spoke to the commission about the potential benefits of SEK RPC. He said the organization is the driver of economic development in Southeast Kansas. Montgomery County has been reaping the benefits of the organization, but Bourbon has been “kinda minimalist,” and he wants to make everyone aware of what SEK RPC has to offer. Besides municipal infrastructure and affordable housing, there are loans to establish and expand or retain employees in new businesses. There are also agricultural grants.
“If anybody in the county wants to know what’s available through this organization in grants or loans,” they should contact the commission, he said, who will put them in touch with Motley.
“We should just keep these programs in mind so we’re not on the sidelines and can get our fair share of money,” he said.
Beerbower said he was interested in grants that would help with animal shelters.
Motley said they should consider applying for grants through SEK RPC for the deferred maintenance needed on the courthouse.
Bronson City Park CDBG Grant Letter of Support
A grant was applied for through SEK RPC and a letter of support from the county will help them gain consideration for the grant to the improve the part.
Commissioners approved.
Commissioner Comments
Milburn expressed that she is pleased with the citizens’ response to the need to replace District One Commissioner Brandon Wisenhunt by attending the Republican Party Convention last week.