State government offices
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As a county seat, Ottawa has its share of state offices and agencies.
Many of the offices are just that. But others are more than that -- they're hybrids that are operated and funded as both county and state programs.
Technically under Kansas law, counties are direct representatives of the state -- sometimes unwillingly. Commissioners in many counties often grump that the state dumps many of the responsibilities of the hybrid operations on them while retaining most of the decision-making authority.
However, they also grump when the state considers closing or cutting back the offices.
In many cases, the state "regionalizes" many of its agencies, locating a office in a county to serve that and other counties, a trend accelerated by the state's recent budget woes.
Court
Franklin County District Court is one of the county-state hybrids.
It is Franklin County's court, but it's part of the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Anderson, Coffey and Osage counties. Each county has its own district courts and offices. Besides courts and judges, the Fourth District also handles community corrections, probation and court services for the counties.
The District Court is in the Court Annex next to the Franklin County Courthouse on Main Street. District Court Clerk phone: (785) 242-6000.
KDOT
The Kansas Department of Transportation has offices, a maintenance shop and storage at its site just east of the I-35 and K-68 interchange. Phone: (785) 242-1179.
Extension service
Another hybrid is the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service, both a county and Kansas State Extension and Research Service office that also has federal ties. The office is at the County Annex, 1428 S. Main St.
The offices offer a wide variety of services and advice -- and not just for farmers. Extension offers the 4-H youth group program; food, nutrition and family information; soil tests; and can advise you on many things like the reason for those brown spots on the tomato plants.
If the county Extension office doesn't have people who know, or brochures with advice, they can get fast help from the Extension experts at Kansas State. Phone: 229-3520.
In addition, KSU Extension leases land from the City of Ottawa for its agricultural research station, which is next to the Ottawa Municipal Airport three miles south of Ottawa. The station conducts long-term tests on various crops, planting practices and conservation efforts to see if they're suitable for east central Kansas.
Senior citizens
The East Central Area Agency on Aging, 132 S. Main St., handles many programs, offers services and fields questions concerning seniors. (785) 242-7200.
Drivers license
The Kansas Department of Revenue maintains a drivers license station at the Franklin County Annex. Phone: (785) 242-2521.
Military
The Kansas Army National Guard maintains a battalion headquarters of the 127th Field Artillery at the Ottawa armory, 208 W. 17th St. An artillery service detachment of the 127th also is based at the armory. Phone: (785) 242-4364.
Water, environment
The Marais des Cygnes River Basin Advisory Committee considers pollution and conservation issues in the river basin, which covers much of east and southeast Kansas, frequently meets in Ottawa. The advisory committee is part of the Kansas Water Office.
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