Harvey County on June 24 approved a renewed contract with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office to provide appellate legal services for the county. Heather Figger, the Harvey County attorney, told commissioners the contract amount rose to $21,420 for the July‑to‑July term.

Figger said the increase reflects a combination of more cases being litigated as jury trials resumed after COVID and the AG’s formula for flat fees that is tied to a multi‑year average of appellate volume. “There have been the reopening of speedy trial and jury trials and more cases being litigated post COVID, which has meant we have had more cases under appeal that the AG's contract is handling,” Figger said.

Figger told the board that using the AG’s office provides efficiency and consistency because appellate practice is centralized statewide; defending appeals in‑house would require hiring additional counsel and likely cost more than the AG contract. Commissioners asked about the AG’s fee formula; Figger said it appears to use a three‑year average of case volume and that the county has limited control over how many defendants choose to appeal.

Figger said the county budgeted $10,000 for appellate services this year and paid $11,220 in the prior year; the increased cost will exceed current budgeted amounts. She told the commission she expects to cover the remainder of this year’s cost with salary savings from an open attorney position and will include the higher amount in the 2026 budget cycle.

A motion to approve the increased contract cost and authorize the county attorney to sign the contract passed by voice vote.