OSWEGO — Labette County commissioners on Thursday received an update on the SEK-CAP transportation service in the county.
The bus runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment since it started in the county in late August or early September 2023. The suggested donation from riders is $1 per trip although that donation is not required, SEKCAP officials said previously.
In August 2023 commissioners agreed to support the transportation service by contributing up to $4,826, which was paid out that month. The Local Health Equity Action Team agreed to contribute $5,000 at the time. Extending the service to five days a week was to cost $16,337 at that time.
On Thursday, Casey Brown of SEK-CAP and the transportation director updated commissioners on the bus service through June 30.
The bus traveled 12,923 miles while it operated in those nine months, averaging seven riders per day. It carried 89 riders who took 617 rides.
Three-quarters of the riders are from Parsons. The CORE in Parsons is the most popular destination of riders followed by the Parsonian Apartments, Walmart, Belmont Towers and Labette Health Express Care.
Brown said he’s seeking a funding source for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. He asked commissioners if
See COUNTY, Page 10.
they would sign a letter supporting SEK-CAP’s application and if they would commit money for the next year. The commission agreed to commit $3,000 in 2025 toward the service.
The county didn’t provide funding for the service in 2024. In other matters, commissioners: — Agreed to spend $22,517 to hire The Home Store to install new carpet in both courtrooms at the Labette County Judicial Center in Parsons as well as the jury room. The work will be done over the Christmas holiday and the business required about half of the money upfront to buy materials. The court system will pay a little over $2,000 toward the cost of the project with federal relief money. The rest of the money can be paid in 2025.
— Heard an update on health insurance costs for next year. The forecasted increase is 5.5% at this time.
— Approved a contract with Parsons attorney Shane Adamson to be one of four attorneys handling indigent defense cases for the county, including misdemeanors, traffic and juvenile matters. The pay is $3,500 a month.
