photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Dan Watkins, interim executive director of HeadQuarters Kansas, and Megan Bridges, crisis services director of HeadQuarters Kansas speak at the Douglas County Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Douglas County commissioners unanimously approved a $300,000 funding request from HeadQuarters Kansas to help keep the organization financially stable through 2026.

Over the past two years, HeadQuarters’ expenses have significantly outpaced its revenues by about $1.3 million, and it resulted in its cash reserves being depleted, as the Journal-World reported. This deficit was driven by reduced grant funding, state reimbursements that covered only about 80% of actual costs, and unusually high expenses tied to financial audits, contracted chief financial officer services, and a required repayment of roughly $340,000 following a state audit.

Additionally, HeadQuarters has faced ongoing cash flow problems because its main funding source – state 988 reimbursements – is paid weeks after expenses are incurred. The delay creates gaps where there isn’t enough cash on hand to meet monthly expenses like payroll, which averages around $350,000. As of February 2026, it had only about $75,000 in cash.

Dan Watkins, interim executive director of HeadQuarters, previously told the Journal-World that the $300,000 solvency allocation from Douglas County in combination with HeadQuarters’ 988 funds from the Kansas Department of Disability Services will allow “sufficient funding operations in 2026.”

During the County Commission’s 2026 budget discussions, commissioners reserved $300,000 in funds for solvency support for the organization in 2026, but it would be considered after they saw HeadQuarters’ audits for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The agenda said those were provided to commissioners.

Commissioner Erica Anderson thanked Watkins for taking the time to look at the organization’s financials and contribute his own financial experts.

“We do know the importance of the hotline and just the great work that HeadQuarters has done throughout the years and the importance of that work in our communities,” Anderson said.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS:

• Continued to deliberate on a proposed tenant eviction defense pilot program, which would involve contracting with nonprofit legal providers for seven months from June through December 2026. The program aims to provide legal advice, limited representation, or full representation to up to 80 low- and moderate-income residents facing landlord-tenant disputes.

County Commissioners were still discussing whether or not they would like to implement the pilot at 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, and they did not make a decision before the Journal-World’s print deadline. County staff will continue working with stakeholders and return with a final proposal for commissioners to review before any program is formally implemented.

• Approved an amendment to the county’s finance policy to account for how legal services are selected and paid for. Since the county counselor is a political appointment made directly by the County Commission – rather than a service chosen through a competitive bidding process – county staff say those legal expenses don’t fit within standard purchasing rules.

The change added legal services to the list of exemptions in the purchasing policy, allowing those costs to bypass competitive bidding requirements. There are other categories of spending that are already exempt, including utility payments, payroll-related expenses, employee health insurance and workers’ compensation costs.

• Held a work session with staff in the Domestic Unit of the Douglas County Court Services. The staff provides court ordered domestic investigation reports for parenting time and child custody cases for indigent litigants who cannot afford a Guardian ad Litem — someone appointed to represent the best interests of a child. The presentation covered the origins and scope of the Domestic Unit, the processes of reports and goals for the expansion of the unit. Court Services staff began these services for the 7th Judicial District during the spring of 2024.

• Approved a revised site plan for Heinen Outdoor Power Equipment, 1795 East 1500 Road. The site plan shows a 7,817 square-foot addition for a workshop on the west side of the existing building and a 2,230 square-foot carport structure for displaying equipment on the east end of the property, near the access drive.

There are also changes to the parking area including new parking stalls and curbed islands with landscaping at the end of each row of parking as well as alterations to the outdoor display area, landscaping, and outdoor lighting.

• Executed bid award contracts with Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc. and Killough Construction Inc. for a supply of hot mix asphalt materials used for county road maintenance.