Neosho County’s interim county attorney told commissioners Tuesday that more than $41,000 in cash, checks and money orders has been identified in the office and is being sorted and deposited, as she works to reconcile multiple accounts and rebuild office operations.
Sheryl Bussel updated the Neosho County Commission during the board’s Feb. 24 meeting, outlining steps taken since her appointment and requesting guidance on bank accounts and proposed staffing.
Commissioner Nick Galemore praised Bussel’s early efforts, saying he had received more information from her in two weeks than he had in years.
Bussel said the total amount of undeposited or unprocessed funds discovered — including cash, checks and money orders — now exceeds $41,000. Some checks may no longer be negotiable, she said, and letters will be sent to law firms requesting replacements where possible.
She said she has promised to ensure the district court is made whole, including any victim restitution that may be involved. Cash payments must be delivered to the clerk of the court in exact amounts, she said, requiring additional processing before deposit.
Bussel also described ongoing work to reconcile a separate account containing approximately $318,000.
She said an audit of that account is underway to determine whether any funds were misallocated, but that additional work will be needed to determine the ownership and proper distribution of the money.
Another account containing about $2,900 will likely be closed and consolidated into a newly established account once signature authority is updated, she said.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to update signature cards on two checking accounts at Community National Bank, removing former employees and adding Bussel and an office staff member. Bank officials had requested meeting minutes reflecting the change.
Bussel said she is creating a spreadsheet to document funds held for diversion participants and plans to issue individual checks to ensure accurate accounting. She estimated the process could require writing about 1,000 checks in order to create a complete record of how funds are distributed.
“I want a record of every single thing,” she told commissioners, emphasizing transparency.
In addition to financial reconciliation, Bussel asked commissioners for guidance on hiring an assistant county attorney and a part-time college student to help with administrative tasks.
She said she hopes to recruit a recent law school graduate who could begin work after sitting for the Kansas bar exam in July, with licensure results typically arriving in September. However, commissioners noted there is currently no budget allocation for an assistant county attorney position, meaning a budget amendment would be required.
County officials discussed whether to advertise the position with a specific salary or list compensation as commensurate with experience. Commissioners said any proposed salary would need to go through the county’s wage study process and include full budget impact analysis, including benefits.
Bussel said she has begun outreach efforts at law schools, including discussions tied to a proposed state initiative that could offer student loan relief or other incentives for attorneys practicing in rural counties. She said a line item for such funding is included in the proposed state budget, pending legislative approval.
She also reported efforts to reestablish communication with local law enforcement agencies, saying some departments had stopped submitting reports after previous communication breakdowns. Those relationships are being rebuilt, she said.
Commissioners encouraged Bussel to continue providing updates and said they would assist with wage study analysis and budget review as hiring proposals move forward.
Following the discussion, commissioners entered a five-minute executive session to discuss pending legal matters under attorney-client privilege. No action was taken upon returning to open session.
