Labette County commissioners agreed to fund some improvements for 22 day cares in the county on Monday. The money came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a COVID-19 economic stimulus package. Jim Zaleski, Parsons’ economic development director, and Laura Moore, the city’s community development director, oversee the ARPA program for the county. The county had $40,000 left in the fund designated for day cares so Zaleski and Moore asked for requests from day care operators. The 25 requests totaled $218,014 and included projects from play equipment and fencing to expanding day care space. Zaleski and Moore suggested eliminating the three largest project requests, ranging from $24,500 to $40,000, because funding those would leave nothing for the remaining facilities. He said most of the remaining requests were for projects totaling $2,000 to $3,000 but some requested larger amounts. He and Moore suggested funding 22 projects at $2,500 each. This would wipe out the county’s fund so the city would kick in $15,000 from its ARPA money designated for day cares. This would provide some funding for all 22 projects. Four of the 25 requests came from day cares that are awaiting a state license, two of them were eliminated because of project size and two of them remain and will be funded as long as their state licenses are issued. “I think that sounds pretty fair,” said Commissioner Vince Schibi. Zaleski said while the $2,500 may not be the amount requested the infusion still will offer support to the businesses. Zaleski also updated commissioners on the former Katy Hospital, which is owned by Labette Health. He said there will be a discussion in the future to assess the structure at market value, which may help find a developer interested in the property. The hospital is on the National Register of Historic Places. Schibi said a development deal fell through in the past related to insurance and taxes on the property. In other matters, the commissioners: — Heard that the county tax sale may be in October. County Counselor Brian Johnson said the petition started with 460 properties and that’s been whittled down to 315 as property owners redeemed the parcels to avoid losing them in a sale. He said about a third of the parcels have been in numerous tax sales before because they are smaller lots, some of them 5 feet in width, or they are in the floodplain. — Approved a contract renewal with Fred Rinne to continue running the Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings and updating the emergency plan. He is paid $1,500 a month. One contract took Rinne’s employment to the end of the year and the other contract was for 2025. — Heard about needs in the Labette County Jail. A wall repair turned into a rebuild because of water issues and deterioration found. This damage relates to a dishwasher that the facility will replace in the next six to seven weeks at an estimated cost of $22,000. Other upgrades of aging equipment will include a garbage disposal and washer and dryer. The jail cells also need improvements, including prison-grade lighting. The sheriff’s office received a federal grant for jail projects several years ago. That and other county funding will help pay for the needed repairs and purchases. A water leak from where two roofs overlap is also needed. Rainwater pours into the jail because of a leak at the confluence of the roof lines. — Visited with Melody Kikkert, the county appraiser that Montgomery County shares with Labette, about her first week in office. She said the current staff in the various departments are doing a “phenomenal” job. Some employees are wanting to get extra training to help the office in the future. Kikkert said she’s also looking for ways to save money going forward.
Source: Parsons Sun
