Courtroom A/V project approved
Staff writer
County commissioners approved a grant-funded courtroom sound and technology project Tuesday while continuing discussions about county spending and outside funding requests.
Commissioners approved improvements to the courtroom after county administrator Tina Spencer presented a proposal that had not been included among meeting documents because final grant information arrived late.
The project will be paid for with a $51,578.19 grant awarded by the Office of Judicial Administration to the 8th Judicial District.
It includes $21,580 in acoustical wall treatments and $29,998.19 in technology upgrades, including a new projector, additional cameras for virtual proceedings, and upgraded video equipment.
The work was intended to address sound-quality problems caused by high ceilings and hard surfaces, Spencer said.
Sound-absorbing ceiling tiles were not recommended because the ceiling was part of a previous historic preservation.
The project was approved unanimously with commissioner Mike Beneke absent.
Before the vote, public comment centered on last week’s allocation of $42,000 to Marion County Conservation District. Brandy Smith urged commissioners to exercise greater restraint as budget as residents struggling with high taxes and rising costs.
Commissioners agreed to creating a standard process for outside agencies requesting county money. Future requests should include financial statements, explanations of county benefit, and organizational background information.
Commissioner Clarke Dirks pushed for the policy, which was endorsed unanimously.
Commissioners also unanimously agreed to seek proposals for county auditing.
Spencer said the county had used the same auditor, Varney and Associates of Manhattan, for several years.
Gehring proposed seeking proposals every three years.
In other business, appraiser Nikki Reid delivered a quarterly update that prompted questions about the county’s EagleView aerial-imagery contract.
Dirks questioned the cost of the multi-year agreement while commissioner Kent Becker asked whether newer technology eventually might offer less expensive alternatives.
The imagery is used by the appraiser’s office, planning and zoning, mapping, emergency services, and local cities, Reid said.
She also reported that informal property-tax appeals fell from 120 last year to 59 this year.
Commissioners briefly revisited last week’s contract for custodial services after Becker said he still preferred waiting a week before voting on contracts.
Becker voted against awarding a three-year contract to Jani King of Wichita last week. He said local economic impact should be considered along with cost.