By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Geary County officials have dealt with numerous topics in 2025, including the planning for a potential new jail. County Commission Chairman Keith Ascher noted that two options are under consideration but there has not been any final decision. "What do we need for an adequate jail that is safe for inmates, as well as safe for the employees, the staff?" The sites being considered are in the Ninth, Tenth and Franklin Street area in Junction City near the current jail site and County Office Building parking lot.
Ascher feels that a working group or task force from the public will probably be put together to help with the project. A bond issue could be necessary and the proposal would probably have to go to an election. He estimated that a jail could be finished in the 2029 - 2030 time frame.
Other county highlights cited by Ascher for 2025 included the seating of Commissioner Kathy Tremont and Sheriff Nate Boeckman, completion of an updated comprehensive plan, the Sheriff's and Public Works Departments were nearly fully staffed, the annual county budget preparation and the beginning of the I-70 - K-18 interchange project.
There is also an effort to put cameras in public works equipment for safety and production. You will be able to see how the County is doing on snow removal, snow routes that have been bladed and where they're headed next.