County offices prepare to move into former jail space

Tuesday, September 18, 2018
County Commissioners Nick Ruhl, left, and Lynne Oharah talk Tuesday in the newly-remodeled space that will serve as the new commissioners’ room after a move to the first floor of the courthouse is complete.
Jason E. Silvers

Bourbon County Commissioners spent much of the afternoon portion of their Tuesday meeting preparing for an upcoming move to new spaces on the first floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Commissioners and county officials packed up desks and office items in preparation for a move Thursday that will transfer all current offices on the second floor of the courthouse to the first floor. The first floor portion will soon house the commissioners’ desks, offices for the county clerk, the county treasurer, the new county economic development director, and the public works department. The space that previously housed offices for the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center has been remodeled to house county offices.

A move to the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center was completed this summer. The SEKRCC, which housed the county jail, correctional center offices and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, has been vacant as commissioners discussed a planned move.

County Commission Chairman Lynne Oharah puts some papers in his briefcase at his desk on the second floor of the county courthouse. Commissioners on Tuesday packed up items from their desks in preparation for a move Thursday to their new space on the first floor of the courthouse.
Jason E. Silvers

After the move, the second floor of the courthouse will house offices and space for the county attorney.

Commissioner Nick Ruhl said the driver’s license office will be moving across the street from the courthouse into a building that formerly housed the county attorney’s offices.

The first floor also contains some space for storage, closets and an employee break area.