What are Saline County's top priorities for the future? What to know
Saline County is making progress on workforce initiatives and community outreach efforts as part of an overarching campaign to see a culture shift in local government.
County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes provided a brief overview Tuesday of some ongoing efforts in areas the commission has identified as top priorities going forward. Those mentioned were part of a broader vision the County Commission created earlier this year.
At a study session style meeting at the end of January, the commission spelled out what it would like to work on and provide to the community during their tenure. They honed in on key focus areas that encompass more specific goals.
Earlier this year, the county commission's chair Bob Vidricksen said he noticed a shift in the culture of Saline County government and wanted to align the board's vision with the right mindset.
More: Saline County sets sights on future, eyes culture shift in local government
“I dare say that none of you probably would have been willing to step up and say something against what one of the commissioners thought, six or seven years ago,” Vidricksen said to county department heads in January. “And I feel like you all, now, feel like you can do that… that you can give us some expectations… I hope that continues.”
County continues work on Commission vision plan
Five main focus areas were developed by the county earlier this year as part of its vision for the future. These include: county workforce, communication and outreach, working relationships, physical and economic community health and service and infrastructure.
So where is the county at regarding these goals as of early May? Smith-Hanes says it is on track, but some goals could take more time than initially anticipated.
"I believe that success is what we want and if the best chance for success is extending the work time, I think I would embrace that," said Commissioner James Weese.
Here is a brief breakdown of how the county has began approaching the five focus areas it identified:
County workforce
Evaluating incentives to attract new employees and implementing incentives. Continue to use all possible outreach efforts to communicate vacancies and keeping competitive salaries and benefits to attract the best candidates.
Continuously re-evaluate department staffing needs, examine job requirements, and make the department and workflows more efficient.
Consider employee safety in building and policy design.
Communication and outreach
Enhance relationships and build trust with media partners, and develop internal processes to build confidence in County staff to engage with the media.
Identify a tools or methods that can be used to measure the community’s perception of work completed by the Commissioners.
Working relationships
The county plans to build coalitions to address housing needs in the community by creating an inventory of existing efforts no later than July 1. The coalitions would identify gaps in those efforts and seek potential partners to address those gaps no later than Aug. 31, then convene with a group of partners by Nov. 30.
As part of the working relationship goal, the commission also said it would like to "define the commission culture" by surveying the commission.
Physical and economic community health
Coordinating a response to the opioid crisis to gather ongoing data and a stronger understanding of the crisis in Saline County to make data-informed decisions.
Conduct research with community stakeholders to identify potential partnerships to expand childcare options in Salina.
Service and infrastructure
Rehabilitation of county buildings and roads
Looking at alternate funding sources for projects
Plan for and implement litter cleanup on county roads
Note: the items mentioned above are part of generalized goals as part of the county's vision going forward. The Salina Journal will provide updates on specific projects as they come about and progress.
Other commission notes
Saline County proclaimed May as Mental Health Month and heard from Central Kansas Mental Health about available services.
Four local entities came before the commission for budget allocation requests May 9. The requests were from Kansas Horse Council (requested $5,000); Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Council (requested $35,000, $30,000 for workforce development, $5,000 for Military Affairs); Salina Community Economic Development Organization (requested $35,000); North Central Flint Hills Area on Aging (requested $40,837). These budget allocations will be considered by the commission during the budgeting process at future meetings.
Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering county government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Saline County continues work on vision outlined by commissioners
