Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf wants to put armed officers in USD 475 schools off post to provide security. His goal has been at least one officer in all 14 schools, and in some of them more officers. The problem is where does the funding come to pay for it.

Available federal funding is primarily targeted for one time or short term projects with grant funding decreasing over time. But the costs of putting the officers in the schools, roughly estimated at $700,000 per year, would continue and have to be assimilated by local governments.

Property tax increases were not a favorable option when city and county commissioners plus USD 475 officials, addressed the subject on Monday. Geary County Commissioner Keith Ascher said looking for ways to fund the officers is at this point is “kind of premature.” Ascher added while it’s something to think about, “I don’t think it’s real close on our radar right now.”

Junction City Mayor Pat Landes commented on the issue. “I think it’s too early to say. There’s no real plan together yet. We have school resource officers as it is in the high school and middle school, and we work with that. I think we’re getting a little bit ahead of ourselves at this point.”

Wolf told the joint meeting he recently met with an American Government class at Junction City High School that was working on a project,  and they had done a poll on the officers in the schools idea. Eighty percent of the students liked it and indicated it made them feel better. He stated the community also likes the idea until they hear there is the possibility of raising taxes. That is not popular.

Based on the general discussion at the joint meeting there did not appear to be any desire to raise taxes.