Treanor HL has been selected as the architectural and engineering firm to provide pre-bond services on the Saline County Jail project.

During their regular weekly meeting Tuesday morning, Saline County commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of Treanor HL, according to a news release from Saline County. Commission Chair Bob Vidricksen and Commissioner Roger Sparks voted against hiring Treanor HL.

During the pre-bond phase, which will cost $53,250, Treanor HL will work with the county and its citizens “to explore multiple infrastructure options for the overcapacity issues that the Saline County Jail has been facing since 2010,” the release noted. Money for this phase will be taken from the County’s Capital Improvement Program funds.

“Any decision on the jail after this phase will come from the voters,” Vidricksen said.

Concerning the current overcrowding and housing of inmates out-of-county, Commissioner Monte Shadwick said, “The status quo is not acceptable.”

Other items on the commissioners’ agenda for Tuesday included the following.

• Commissioners approved for seven personnel policies to be updated.
• Jason Tiller, Health Department Director, presented a request for Commissioners to appoint him as the Health Officer for Saline County and modify the contract with Dr. David Dupy to continue services as the Medical Consultant. This was approved by the Commissioners and will save the County $5,000 a year with the modification of the contract.
• Commissioners approved for the submission of the Emergency Management Performance Grant. This grant helps to fund the Deputy Director position by contributing roughly $32,000 a year.
• Sean Robertson, County Appraiser, provided a quarterly update to the Commissioners. Among the information Robertson reported:
  • The median home value in Saline County is $117,500.
  • Average sale price of homes is up by 7% in the State of Kansas; but up by only 3% in Saline County.
  • Only 12 of the 105 Counties in Kansas have a lower average mill levy than Saline County.
  • Saline County values are within 2% of the sale prices which means the Appraisers are doing a great job with accurately valuing properties.
• Andrew Pellant, Pre-Trial Program Coordinator, provided a monthly report to the Commissioners on the activities of the Pre-Trial program.
  • As of July 31st, 79 people are actively being supervised, 26 are in custody, 26 have had their Pretrial bond revoked, and 24 people have had their charges dismissed or have been sentenced.
  • Of the 26 people who had their Pretrial bond revoked, 3 were because of new alleged charges and 23 were due to failure to appear in court.
  • Since the program’s inception in late April, a total of 155 defendants have been placed on Pretrial supervision in April, May, June, and July.
  • Staff is working on a pilot program for Pretrial and Drug Court clients in implementing a talk to text system to notify clients of court hearings, various appointments, treatment/meeting groups, and sharing information with clients.