Topeka ? Any decisions by the Department of Defense in the upcoming round of base closings must consider the effect on local communities, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Friday.

The Pentagon on Thursday published its final criteria for closing or realigning military bases. The chief consideration will be the military value of each installation, with the economic impact on nearby communities ranked sixth among eight factors.

A federal base closure panel is scheduled to send the president its recommendations by Sept. 8, 2005.

Sebelius said any decisions that fail to consider the economic effects on communities near military bases would be “ludicrous.”

“It’s absolutely important to include a local community impact, and that will certainly be the case made by Kansans and others,” Sebelius said in comments after her weekly news conference.

State and military officials estimate that military installations, including the Kansas National Guard, contribute more than $2 billion to the Kansas economy.

A Washington, D.C., firm — Hyjek & Fix — has been retained to represent for Kansas’ interests in the base-closing process, Sebelius said, confirming a move that had been expected.

“But if the list doesn’t include any Kansas bases, (the firm) can be terminated earlier,” the governor said.

The state will pay $500,000 toward the lobbying effort, with local communities also contributing, she said.

The military has had a presence in Kansas since Fort Leavenworth was established in 1827 as a frontier outpost. It remains the oldest active-duty post west of the Mississippi.