Commissioner: Expedite search

By FREDRICK J. JOHNSON

The Capital-Journal

The search for new management at the Shawnee County Jail isn't moving fast enough for Commissioner Mike Meier.

Meier told Commissioners Marice Kane and Ted Ensley on Thursday that he thought they should negotiate with the management firm of GRW Inc. or place the jail under the direction of the sheriff.

"I don't think we're moving fast enough," Meier said. "In my opinion, those are the only two directions to go."

If the other commissioners decide the county should hire a new corrections director, he said, then that process needs to go forward.

The county has advertised the position of corrections director and received four applications. Commissioners were to interview one of those applicants Thursday, but Meier said he wouldn't participate.

The county has been without a corrections director since former director Earl Hindman retired under pressure during an investigation into the jail's administration, policy and procedures, and potential issues of sexual harassment.

Commissioners last week listened to a presentation by Dick Mills, vice president of GRW Inc. and a former director of the Kansas Department of Corrections, who lives in Topeka and directs GRW's local operations.

Mills indicated GRW Inc. would manage the corrections department for a base fee of $250,000 the first year and the base fee plus 80 percent of any cost savings realized in subsequent years, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Hindman was earning about $80,000, including benefits.

Kane said she thought Meier's comments were somewhat of "a slap in the face" to those who had applied for the job and hadn't been interviewed.

Meier said his comments weren't a reflection on the applicants but an expression of his belief the county needed to move quickly on the issue.

After the commission meeting, Meier said he thought GRW would find ways within the corrections budget to save enough money to make its contract a good deal for the county.

Ensley asked human resources director Donna Allen how long it would take to put a "head hunter" to work if the county wanted to expand its search for a director. Allen said the process could be started fairly quickly.

Commissioners did vote unanimously to authorize county counselor Rich Eckert to contract with Topeka attorney Steven Pigg, at the rate of $100 an hour, to defend the county against any sexual harassment suits that could evolve from three complaints filed late last year with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Copyright 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.