Litigation, including cases relating to contracts, construction, and employment issues (gender, race, age, disability, and civil rights); draft related legal pleadings and make court appearances in state and federal courts and at administrative hearings.
Planning and zoning (and related litigation).
Annexations.
Personnel decisions, including discipline, terminations and general compliance with County policies, as well as state and federal laws.
Draft, review and interpret resolutions, policies, codes, contracts, leases, licensing agreements, interlocal agreements, and purchasing documents.
Legal Research.
Bankruptcy (primarily related to unpaid taxes) - file claims, and litigate any objections that are filed against the County's bankruptcy claims.
Legislative issues - draft and review proposed legislation and assist the County lobbyist as requested.
County Codes Court prosecution.
Court of Tax Appeals (COTA) - defend the County's position in tax appeals that go before the Kansas BOTA and advise the County Appraiser's Office regarding tax appraisal matters.
Open Records Act compliance.
Land records.
ADA compliance.
Emergency Management & Homeland Security.
Elections - all legal aspects of the election process, including ward boundaries, petitions, ballot language, recall issues, and contract matters.
Risk Management.
Tax collection and foreclosures. Note: Kansas statutes allow the County to file a lawsuit to foreclose upon delinquent real estate and to offer the property for sale at public auction to collect delinquent taxes. This is a detailed process that generates a lot of phone calls, both from property owners and from the general public. The past nine foreclosures generated more than $5.8 million dollars in redemptions and sale proceeds from approximately 900 properties.
Protect the County's interest in mortgage foreclosures.
