[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6586005,"mediaKeyId","5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd","parentId",5565263,"title","Residents raise concerns about deputy conduct and policing during Saline County public comment","audioSeconds",243,"startMs",450000,"endMs",693000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd&start=450&end=693","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd/thumbnail_450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586005/Saline-County/Kansas/Residents-raise-concerns-about-deputy-conduct-and-policing-during-Saline-County-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586005-bb98783b034079635715c357f37f38a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803266&Signature=A~tGaxRxzMDAj8S75xwPj3DS-MS5JyfA5Q0ZzqjcxZB1lrOUy0Rf-ih3PU5CBN76d59DLqauDZzg3wFjH7jUGnoS2MdqxsMqQktuOA2XQL3HmbjvMx7cU6N1qz79BsrZS9~Ef0GKqgo61tBSiR80Iw5Ewo96RpA~EOwEsBv3esPMdfLQdglG5z2RVTDccWV4VQx~25BAVfaxZbtlux9CR7aJZRPWE7W4EmhTVpDYmqr9677x-xtji~2ERWAE8ZzQWxOkvyX10xxV2if0BvMOidHqpeI4ZbPEL4yll-qc-4dolQAJCI1UDUvDQGJHnuYgRvEbqGzlPZxgt0gu8m1rZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saline County, KS","date","2025-08-12T15:11:27.82Z","article","During the citizens input portion of the Aug. 12 Saline County commission meeting, several residents addressed policing and public safety concerns.

Jim Vent, who identified himself as living in Salina, raised a lengthy personal account of a traffic stop several years earlier in which he said two county deputies stopped him while he was parked legally. Vent said he later viewed video of the incident with county staff and concluded a deputy \"lied to his superior.\" He told commissioners he was told he had been \"detained and not free to go,\" and that he believes the deputy's conduct undermined public respect for the law. Vent said he later saw the same deputy working at the courthouse transporting prisoners and worried that the sheriff had not fired the deputy; he said he expected an upcoming lawsuit related to the deputy's conduct.

Vent tied his concerns to broader public-safety consequences, referencing the recent murders of two police officers in Kansas and saying enforcement errors can escalate risk. He said, \"the failure of the sheriff to fire that guy will lead to this lawsuit that's you folks are currently involved\" and that he expected the county would lose that litigation; the transcript contains Vent's statements as opinion and allegation, not as findings of fact.

Another commenter, Norman Mandel, urged self-protection and invoked the Second Amendment in remarks following Vent's comments. The citizens input period also included a community announcement by Rosemary Mies inviting the public to the Granny Brigade meeting, where several local nonprofits planned to attend to discuss volunteer and supply needs; Mies referenced \"this is a good time since you guys are cutting some of their funds\" in urging public attendance.

The commission did not take formal action on the policing comments during the meeting; comments were recorded during the public-comment portion. Commissioners did not comment substantively on the specific allegations in this meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saline County Commission Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters used the citizens input period to call attention to a past deputy stop they said involved dishonesty, tied it to broader concerns about policing and public safety, and urged accountability.","taxTitle","Saline County, Kansas","taxId",55342,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586008,"Expo Center reports summer events, weed department outlines inspections and spraying plans",330,1758000,2088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd&start=1758&end=2088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","/articles/6586008/Saline-County/Kansas/Expo-Center-reports-summer-events-weed-department-outlines-inspections-and-spraying-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586008-66f5f7284e85c60ad910b9950a506968/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803266&Signature=odBdmb8lFJMGqFI2IctqGzTyTUiuPgGumvAl2YvV1g-deANsyhaHEcWFwMPn17Dpcw63-tW1Ow~kZNNxD62Fdyqv6vxJAZdsOAMFhD3MLxaZyevZqo7aRvJekDkup9lS5Y4DSiHq~8-rCnGEGyafWtlgFi9cWv2oLIEo8skpOfydQTuJTaoHmisf5E77CzcPMWbnao7hhaKAaLyFmmy7-cIa2imtNdCFDr5SI1QoGGkvO1sBaOSrGq9e1eOSub5m-l5FiNv7xRguNnpfz4wP7XVVTLpcCTT~B-ybDKCAJkjqM~Z6U5q-i1RyB8OlA6DI3NDtD5zfGzVcY-e4e-ejIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Flattery, Saline County livestock and expo director, gave an August update covering June through August operations at the Expo Center, the weed department and county farm.

On the Expo Center side, Flattery said the county hosted 67 event days over the period, completed interior painting and arena repairs, filled the last open Expo Center position, and installed sponsorship displays. He said the Expo Center also patched panels in a livestock barn and reclaimed a forklift from a vendor.

For the Noxious Weed Department, Flattery said the county recently filled an applicator position and that staff have continued right-of-way spraying, inspections of reported noxious weeds, spot spraying of Johnson grass and musk thistle re-inspections. He said staff completed summer training (Fred Pryor training) for continuing education and performed routine vehicle and equipment repairs.

Flattery also said county grounds maintenance bids are open and will be opened Aug. 18, and that fence negotiations for the farm's south and east sides will follow. On budget metrics he reported percentages of budget used for the Expo Center and the weed department and said the weed capital outlay had a remaining balance; detailed line-item numbers should be checked against county financial records for precision.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about fence scope and bid timing; Flattery said some adjacent landowners may contribute to a full-mile fence project. Commissioners thanked him for the report; no action was required on the informational item.","Expo and Noxious Weed director reported recent event days, maintenance work and upcoming inspections; staff said an applicator position was filled and county grounds bidding is underway.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586013,"Saline County proclaims September National Recovery Month",177,818000,995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd&start=818&end=995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd/thumbnail_818000.jpg","/articles/6586013/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-proclaims-September-National-Recovery-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586013-9a1acb0b2fef62e269137138b7cb8494/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803266&Signature=aMJ84nKOh0hnT01KNizaBREppfr8xG-4hqdoJE8A1ajabbiGqEy5lgB2HIcO8SsBfpZXSlzzeDuYJ3~6RDF0W0Txl-CkqGnSlJfr-zLXNiognBKEjLjI3jR5YECXZRjzKcZ~HHkq-OifE1k08Qc1aSJcXAck1O4owpaztTV8ntUbm7DpERszsKEWgRkyKqp1gp-U2lqUXHDV9g4ICHoh~IafCdmjaQsI5~JRJE8F6Jv3C6MEDPfgFSYEf~7tXbiA0yn0ndJdqL0qL9peSrwTI3uMGV8eqQGoabws920OFgnl8MFsQQT08zj3H5rLdUY2LtF8NtffK9YqPzgBgKsPjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners on Aug. 12 unanimously proclaimed September as National Recovery Month.

Justin Keane, a peer mentor with CKF Addiction Treatment Center, spoke to the commission about recovery and the month's theme, saying \"the theme of National Recovery Month is recovery is for everyone, every person, every family, every community.\" Keane encouraged inclusive treatment and support, and noted a local event honoring Dawn Green on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Elm location in Salina.

A commissioner briefly corrected a reference in the remarks to the city rather than the county; the proclamation motion was made and seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners presented a proclamation and thanked attendees.

The proclamation recognizes community members and service providers who contribute to recovery supports and encourages the public to participate in education and support around substance-use treatment, according to Keane's remarks.","Commissioners proclaimed September as National Recovery Month after remarks from a peer mentor with CKF Addiction Treatment Center; the proclamation was approved by unanimous voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586017,"Commission approves county clerk's elections position, denies HR payroll position in 3-2 vote",317,1472000,1789000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd&start=1472&end=1789","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd/thumbnail_1472000.jpg","/articles/6586017/Saline-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-county-clerks-elections-position-denies-HR-payroll-position-in-3-2-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586017-8d8bbc6c6608a24d268db456f717a557/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803266&Signature=BuUjKZnddoUES-G5vPl50~MJ7LZRSvM~OD2fHmM1cJAQJH-~A83WhiLL7otBWYGamsWALN1Cz4f0hU-k77i4G6xnNpZzqYtdm6yl11ZEtsYJkD8vWHe1HBvl54txhM8ewU-XnWbpScsuyECIycU3FT0X-LTFUONI-s7TEmQekyIskIG-nUxG8sK7OaxyCSujYu~pDE0ycSmuWU5bkx-tkzQCGbJmD4YcqWkhN8Z-GiAbv-VrzY1GNTiSpvLjWuPSbbfdkaJJMwuf7HiZr0tcOMVc4GKKTyC8rYb-m~xke~IRTO5NKZUD5rw5vUoHkcuTn~TQV7tJ9DbCfpygrD-GzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted 3 to 2 to accept a budget appeal from the county clerk's office for an additional elections position and to deny an appeal from Human Resources for an added payroll position.

County Administrator Philip Smith Haines told commissioners the two appeals had been discussed at a prior study session and staff recommended accepting the clerk's appeal for elections support and denying the HR payroll request at this time. Marilyn, identified in the meeting as the county's HR director, addressed the commission and urged approval, saying payroll support \"is the highest priority for this additional support\" and describing how the HR office is operating at capacity.

Commissioners debated options including approving one position now and considering the other midyear if funds become available. One commissioner said the group previously agreed to move forward with the county clerk's position and possibly consider the HR position midyear; another commissioner said they agreed if funds permitted. The motion to approve RFA 2025-115 (the budget-appeal action) as presented carried by a roll call of \"Aye\" and \"Nay\" comments that resulted in a 3-2 outcome.

The transcript records the outcome as \"Motion passes 3 to 2\" but does not list a roll-call tally by commissioner name. The HR director requested that if only one position could be funded immediately, the allocation be split or funded midyear from vacant-salary funds; the commission did not adopt that alternative in this vote.

The decision moves the county-clerk-funded elections position forward for staffing and funding under the county's budget process; the denied HR payroll request may be revisited later under different funding conditions, staff said.","The commission accepted an appeal for an additional elections position and denied a human resources payroll position; commissioners who supported a midyear funding compromise said they wanted to prioritize elections staffing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586022,"Saline County trims proposed 2026 budget, reduces levy slightly and restores select nonprofit grants",479,1000000,1479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd&start=1000&end=1479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565263-a8739bcf3f2df0c48ceddcabab3124dd/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","/articles/6586022/Saline-County/Kansas/Saline-County-trims-proposed-2026-budget-reduces-levy-slightly-and-restores-select-nonprofit-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586022-dd2bcfc9b70ebad46041863d7847bbdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803266&Signature=O6Pni65eWszq0sqbpuzVec7lzj-dneXoaX9znnQfg662fSCC7z2mab6LXBC0f7fJbv8V2OxnSJ~466tJ7ShjnT62ziOLta9RVG8xIA7CPImDqXHcGmFrVGcva-qoyBZJtoMucg0dUybH3IOh0eAlfHWs4O0KiGqdeCEnMhMesHEpIMoslANFfgucvYIXF9HO3AinE6GmlZH4vG4JCak2SiKI9aLWN1yTc3ojbP8cc~DYVz~zWOV1aCsPR5s2PFT4DtcKOHToCq2KdVC62O6y3igrsDop6ZDf76NjETvcs4KiV0LPESptktObFoaaPNIv92eLPNoRcIevCNHqe90YVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saline County commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a set of reductions to the county's proposed 2026 budget that county staff said would lower the proposed mill levy and preserve limited funding for several local nonprofits.

County Administrator Philip Smith Haines told commissioners his revised recommendation reduces $976,357 from the July 1 proposed budget, which he said amounts to a 1.404-mill reduction in the proposed levy to a 40.167 mill rate. He said that would be \"an impact of $1.26 annually for a $200,000-value home.\" Haines presented a list of specific cuts and offsets and answered commissioners' questions before seeking approval.

Haines said the reductions include trimming spending on road rock (SS 5 Road Rock) at Road and Bridge after discussions with Road and Bridge administrator Darren Fischel; reducing county support for an emergency ambulance for the City of Salina; eliminating $10,000 in tuition reimbursement from the employee benefits fund; lowering Chamber of Commerce dues to match the City of Salina level; holding economic development funding flat rather than increasing it; a $1,000 reduction in vehicle mileage for the county appraiser's office; and a small reduction in the transfer to debt service based on available cash in that fund. He said the total of those additional reductions came to $83,570.

The revised proposal also restores funding in three areas discussed at a Friday study session: $10,000 each for Salina Grace, Salina Area United Way for childcare, and the Saline County Farm Bureau tire disposal program, along with acceptance of one of the budget appeals (discussed separately during the meeting).

Members of the public who spoke during the citizens input period referenced cuts to nonprofit funding and urged the commission to listen to community needs; Linda Salem said she appreciated the commission's willingness to reconsider the numbers. After discussion, Commissioner Joe Hay moved to approve the revised budget item (RFA 2025-110); the motion was seconded and the commission approved the item by voice vote.

The action does not change the county's final levy until hearings required by law are completed; staff noted the proposal remains slightly above the current levy of 40.112 mills. Haines said if the ambulance cost increases beyond the reduced estimate the county has funding in its equipment reserve to cover the difference.

The commission's approval followed public comments thanking commissioners for seeking additional review and input on cuts. The revised budget will move forward through the county's public-notice and hearing process.","County administrator presented a revised 2026 budget that cuts $976,357 from the July recommendation, reducing the mill levy by 1.404 mills to 40.167; commissioners approved the revisions and restored modest funding for three local nonprofits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise concerns about deputy conduct and policing during Saline County public comment

Expo Center reports summer events, weed department outlines inspections and spraying plans

Saline County proclaims September National Recovery Month

Commission approves county clerk's elections position, denies HR payroll position in 3-2 vote

Saline County trims proposed 2026 budget, reduces levy slightly and restores select nonprofit grants