Taxpayers charged $1.5 million to reimburse DCP but no payment was due and no records shows payment was made form 2020 to 2025

EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

After a recent request to use state-designated funds for the Seward County Treasurer’s office for pay raises was approved by the Seward County Commission and then rescinded two weeks later, Treasurer Mary Rose filed a suit against the Seward County Board of County Commissioners.

On Oct. 8, Rose’s attorney, Chris McGowne, filed an amendment to the complaint. In that refiling, a timeframe of when Seward County administration and some commissioners started to become hostile to the treasurer’s office was part of the complaint.

According to the complaint, “On or about October 15, 2025, a Kansas Open Records Act request was received concerning matters related to a prior DCP settlement or repayment involving Seward County.” That filing was made by the Leader & Times in response to the statement that had been made by Administrator April Warden during budget discussions that the DCP settlement had just been paid off. Records indicated that the DCP settlement was completed four years prior.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

There could be some big changes coming to the downtown area of Liberal after some discussions by the Liberal City Commission at a work session Tuesday afternoon.

The discussion began with City Manager Scarlette Diseker sharing some good news to the commission.

“Until recently, I was only hopeful for this day and to be able to make this announcement. Last week, we did officially receive notification from the Kansas Department of Commerce we had been awarded a $500,000 block grant,” Diseker said. “A lot of other communities also applied, and I was extremely hopeful we would ultimately get the grant, and now we have confirmation. However, the real stress begins because there is a lot that needs to be discussed between now and December because this project needs to happen on time and within budget. As you know, this is an opportunity for us to improve multiple storefronts in the downtown area, which has been needed for a while.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

After tackling a work session earlier in the afternoon, the Liberal  City Commission made quick work of its agenda at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The commission began by approving a bid from Dynapak for the purchase of trash bags. The bid is for 780 cases at $81.85 per case, for a total of $63,843, with funding coming the Trash Bag Supplies line item within the Solid Waste budget.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The USD 480 school board made rather quick work of its agenda at its most recent meeting Monday evening.

Up first in the meeting was the announcement of the latest Educator of the Month, Sylvia Villa from Cottonwood Elementary School, who will be officially recognized at the board’s November 9 meeting.