Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Mitchell County Commissioners met on June 2 to cover agenda items.
The consent agenda and the May 27, 2025 minutes were approved.
– In old business, the Commissioners Redistricting Resolution 25-17 was approved.
– Judge Wright and Pam Thiessen of District Court were present to discuss their budget. Chief Judge of the 12th Judicial District in Kansas, Kim Cudney, approves the budget that looks to drop.
– County Attorney Mark Noah appeared to discuss their budget.
“The budget is more of an eyeball thing, when not knowing what the case loads will be. It can change rapidly.” said Noah.
“What are the primary things that fluctuates in your budget,” asked Commissioner Cole Eberle.”Mainly murder or rape cases that need co-councils in the first part of the case,” said Noah.
Talk of going with a District Attorney System is being discussed as there are only five attorneys in the area. With less help, the attorneys of five are no longer cost effective. City Attorney Katie Schroeder can help on a part time only basis when needed, otherwise it is hard for the attorneys of today to be able to get away.
The District Attorney System would be an elected position, with the elected being in charge with several deputies.
The five attorneys are trying to work on a plan. This would also take things off the budget right off the bat. Theoretically, the change could be made for 2026. Legislation would have to pass this.
The elected District Attorney would have three deputies, with the plan of one attorney in charge and three deputies to cover areas. This way the District Attorney would have experience coming into the position, instead of electing someone to come in with no experience.
“This could be the last budget I will give, if the District Attorney System goes into play,” said Noah. “This will be decided by the end of the year with the legislature in 2026.”
A lot is handled electronically now, and the only issue may be with having a county counselor.
– City of Beloit Manager Halley Roberson and Mayor Tom Naasz were present to talk about the renewal of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP).
“I know the budgets are coming up, and know the NRP is one that will be voted for or against,” said Roberson. “We are here to talk about how the NRP has been a great tool for Economic Development, etc. and one the City is looking at to utilize for more incentives.”
“We know the cost of building homes is expensive, so this can become a deciding factor on some buildings,” said Eberle.
“There are a good number of those that don’t apply,” said County Commissioner Tom Claussen.
The program lasts for five years for those who receive the program, which started in 2008.
“ Free land that has been given away, has now come back on the regular tax roll,” said Naasz.
“We are recruiting, looking at incentives, looking at the area, working with these programs,” said Eberle.
“It’s far reaching for grants,” Roberson said. “It helps grants to be approved, and we can package incentives together so developers can make it make sense.”
“There is a lot of misunderstanding with this program,” said Eberle. “Yes, and we get a portion of the refunding back as well,” said Roberson. “When utilized on a smaller project, it comes back through in the local level form,” said Naasz.
Solomon Valley Economic Development Director, Emily Benedick, says tracking the program from year to year is the most difficult part, and incentives from city to city differ. Some do with every year getting 50 percent to 90 percent, and some still do a 10 year program.
“This program is worth looking at and making better,” said Benedick. “At some point I would like to sit down with others and simplify the program for tracking, etc.”
“We have made changes to simplify it,” said County Clerk, Heather Weston. “And everyone gets enrolled in the same program.”
“Do we offer enough to bring in people to the area with this program?” Asked Commissioner Mike Riemann.
“We are always competing for people, for business,” said Roberson. “If we didn’t have the NRP, we probably wouldn’t have renewed grants, etc. This is a great way to leverage those dollars, and means a lot. We have a lot of housing activities, construction, etc. going on right now that we wouldn’t have without the NRP.”
– In the Commissioners comments, Eberle brought up a slow moving sign to be placed on the Winkel blacktop road, near Glen Elder, that has been an issue with trucks going over the speed limit on a dangerous curve.
– In the Work Session, the county budget was discussed on approving items and making changes on others.
