County slashes funding to SEKMHC

Allen County commissioners discussed all things budgetary Tuesday, including the virtual elimination of county funding to the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.
Commissioner Jerry Daniels discusses line items in the county’s budget during Tuesday evening’s commission meeting. Photo by Sarah Haney / Iola Register
by Sarah Haney
Published: July 16, 2025
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Allen County commissioners discussed all things budgetary Tuesday, including the virtual elimination of county funding to the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.

The Allen County Commission reached a consensus Tuesday to basically eliminate financial support for the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) from $167,000 to just a single $1 for the upcoming fiscal year. The decision was made during the commissioners’ budget discussions and conversation about the county’s current valuation. 

Commissioner John Brocker proposed the county substantially reduce their contribution to SEKMHC. “We should consider giving them a little something so that this board deal stays intact,” said Brocker, referring to the county’s appointment of two members to the SEKMHC board. “But not a lot — I’m talking very little.”

Commissioner David Lee noted that while counties are required by statute to provide some form of public mental health support, they are not mandated to continue previous funding levels. During Tuesday’s evening meeting, Chairman Jerry Daniels pointed out that SEKMHC’s annual budget is in the multi-million-dollar range, with only about 1% of it historically coming from county sources. “I don’t know why we’re providing funding when they bill us later anyway if there are specific county costs,” he added.

Sarah Haney

Sarah joined the Register in November 2023. With 13 years of experience in journalism, she is a 2009 graduate of Cottey College, in Nevada, Mo with a degree in English. Upon graduating, she began her career in journalism at her hometown paper in 2010. Over the next 13 years (and a brief hiatus to Fayetteville, Ark.), she worked her way up to the position of editor and enjoyed the connections she built within her community. Sarah is a member of Rotary Club International and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She enjoys reading, listening to her vinyl records, and spending time with family and friends.

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