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Tri-Valley Holds Award Ceremony
On Friday, April 29th , Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2022 Award Ceremony to celebrate individual achievements as well as community support in Bourbon county. The ceremony took place at 1 pm at Tri-Valley’s Service Center located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. Awards were presented to the following individuals:
Business of the Year – Labconco
Employer of the Year – Wendy’s Ol’ Fashioned Hamburgers of Fort Scott
Achievement Award – Crystal Douglas
Winfred Jent Award – Judge Mark Ward
Board of Director’s Award – Ken Anderson
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mertz Tax Service
Refreshments were served following the ceremony. Attendees received a Tri-Valley cup as a takeaway.
Submitted by Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator at
Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
Weekly Chamber Coffee at Nelson State Farm on May 19
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 15-17
Fishing Tourney Memorial Day Weekend
Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tourney is May 28
Obituary of Gerald Bradbury
Gerald E. Bradbury, 86, of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Monday evening May 9, 2022, at his home. He was born September 3, 1935, in Emporia, Kansas, the son of William Lewis and Vyrel Vayden (Yenzer) Bradbury. He married Betty Marie Lucas on March 2, 1954, in Fort Scott, Kansas. She preceded him in death on June 25, 2021.
Gerald graduated from Uniontown high school with the Class of 1953. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator for Bandera Stone and Ready-Mix Operator for many years, working in general construction primarily with concrete. He also farmed, and together he and Betty raised chickens and bees, selling the eggs and honey.
Gerald was a member of the Mount Orum Baptist Church in Redfield, and Gideon International.
Gerald is survived by his children, Gerald Bradbury, Jr. and wife Irene, of Redfield, James Bradbury and wife Rachel, also of Redfield, Belinda Holder, of Gering, Nebraska, and Clarinda West and husband Larry of Asbury, Missouri; five brothers, William Lawrence Bradbury, Michael Morris Bradbury, Larry Wayne Bradbury, Sr., Thomas Ray Bradbury, and Max Dwayne Bradbury; a sister, Margaret Ann Epp; thirteen grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Betty, he was also preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald Alex Bradbury; a son, David Alan Bradbury; a granddaughter, Janelle Holder; a son-in-law, Ron Holder.
Following cremation, graveside services will be held at a later date at Mapleton Cemetery. Per Gerald’s, wishes there will be a double service so Gerald and Betty can be laid to rest together. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Obituary of Nancy Schmidt
Nancy Jill (Henley) Schmidt, 70, most recently of Star Valley, Arizona, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 7, 2022. She was born February 5, 1952, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Everett Bruce and Hara Jane (Franis) Henley.
She married Steven Howard Schmidt, and he survives of the home.
Graveside services for Nancy will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of May 10
May 10, 2022, Tuesday at 9 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Harris, Commissioner Oharah, Commissioner Beth and the County Clerk were all present.
Matt Quick, Shane Walker, Susan Bancroft, Matt Crystal, and Rob Harrington were also present for all or a portion of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from last weeks meeting as well as yesterday’s meeting. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Eric Baily reported that they had one permit completion for Don Garrett at 35th North of the old bridge.
Eric informed the commission that it was time for the annual review of the solid waste management plan. He said that they have a plan to submit, but it will need to be signed by the
chairman and attested by the clerk, no changes were made in the renewed plan. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign and the Clerk to attest the plan for solid waste
management. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Eric said that the rain caused some issues last week
with the trees down and washouts on roads, but they are taken care of and back to normal road maintenance.
Eric said that Keith Browning will be here today to go over and discuss pavement plans. Next week Eric and Dustin will be attending the Kansas County Highway Conference in Dodge City. They will be leaving Sunday and will be back Wednesday and that if anyone needs anything while they are gone to contact Chad Brown.
Eric asked if they felt a work session would be a good idea for the Elm Creek issues. He said that there is a group of people talking to
Todd, but he isn’t sure what the commission is wanting to do out there. Justin said that he was done some more research on public-private partnerships and that he will be working with Susan
next week to get out RFP’s. Jim said that he would like the RFPs to be included in the work session.
Eric stated that if they are going to move forward with repairing the building at Elm Creek that they also need to address the two leaks that are there as well.
Eric informed that the new crusher will be delivered Wednesday at noon, and they will be at training on Thursday.
Eric said he spoke with Jeff Spangler; they have been reseeding the roadway where the windmills are but it is getting late in the season and some may not take so they will be back in the fall to reseed
anything that is needed.
Clifton said he had someone ask what the flags at Tomahawk, east of the blacktop at Hammond were for. Eric said that he wasn’t sure but would look into it and let him know.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual
proprietorships regarding the hospital. It will be for 10 minutes and include the threeCommissioners. They will meet in another location and reconvene in the commission room at 9:20 am. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 9:20 am with action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to move forward with a negotiation of contract with Via Christi Hospital to add specialist to our building on a month to month basis. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Justin Meeks stated that a KORA request from a patron came in last week. He commended Susan and Ashley for doing their due diligence with regards to it. I spoke with Ashley yesterday
and she has procedures in place that she didn’t have before. Hopefully, in the future this situation won’t be so time consuming.
Justin stated that the 2017 demand letters have gone out.
There were around 180 to 200 demand letters sent. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the contract with the title company for the 2017-2018 tax sale. Lynne seconded.
All approved. Hope to schedule the sale for the end of July or early part of August.
Justin stated that Patty said collections are up so the letters are doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Lynne asked about parcels at Hidden Valley Lake. Justin stated there isn’t much you can do.
Justin stated that Patty and I talked about going and testifying about having a minimum collection amount. For example, if you owe $100.00 or less, (imaginary number) those parcels
would stay dormant for 50 years almost. Lynne stated they tried to get the Lake Association to take over the parcels themselves but they didn’t want to do it. Justin stated with so many lots
they wouldn’t be able to afford to do that. Jim asked about the county taking ownership and getting it off the tax roll and give it to folks like the land bank does. Justin said there would be a
lot of due diligence to be made. That would be a big undertaking and a cost associated with that including road maintenance. He also said the covenant of the Lake Association is iron-clad. It would take the entire association to agree and that probably won’t happen.
Susan Bancroft requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters including 3 commissioners, Justin. Clifton made a motion for an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual, non-elected personnel to protect their privacy for 10minutes including 3 commissioners, Susan Bancroft and Justin Meeks returning at 9:42am.
Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:42am.
Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion for an executive session KSA 75- 4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their
privacy for 15 minutes returning at 9:58am including 3 commissioners, Susan Bancroft and Justin Meeks. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal
session at 9:58am with action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Lynne made a motion to give Susan Bancroft permission to handle all HR issues. Clifton seconded. All approved. Clifton
made a motion to make Mark McCoy an interim Medical Building Director. Lynne seconded.
All approved. Clifton amended the motion to allow Susan Bancroft, Chief Financial Officer to negotiate pay with Mr. McCoy. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Shane Walker, CIO, stated that the medical building has to have a fire system inspection to comply. Johnson Controls and Simplex handles this. The cost will be $12,000.00. Shane also
stated that the parking lot deal. Frank is coming this morning and will finish that. Starting next week are going to start redoing the website. Ashley, Courtney and I are going through it and will
make some changes. Adding new information for different departments and removing some information no longer needed.
Public Comment: No Comment
Elected Official Comment: Bill Martin asked for clarification on what HR is and what Susan will be handling when all elected officials are responsible for their own employees.
Justin Meeks stated he was not comfortable with answering in regards to any legal questions as Sheriff Martin
is represented by council. I need a waiver from his attorney stating that I can talk to him and answer questions. Bill Martin stated that he does not have legal counsel. He sought advice for
some issues that have come up. Justin answered the question regarding Susan Bancroft and HR
issues. Susan would have no authority over the sheriff’s department. Clarification of the motion should have been this would only be for employees directly monitored by the commission which
would be Road & Bridge, any department of nonelected directors. Hopefully, elected officials will use Susan as a resource to help with HR issues. Justin also stated that all claims need to
come through Ashley’s office. KCAMP wants claims coming from Ashley. Ashley is the elected official and statutorily needs to know what’s going on.
Bill Martin stated that he has a standing order with his employees that no county officials talks with them unless I am present or they have permission from me. Bill stated that he enters any
claims information in the KCAMP portal and then Ashley receives a notice of the claim. The system works well. Ashley stated that she is the only person with login capability. Department
heads can go in and make a claim. Justin stated that we can’t make an elected official do anything, but the procedures that were in place in the past worked well. The KORA request we had last week took way more time than it should have.
Commission Comment: Clifton stated that we are expecting the feasibility study next week.
Discussion was had regarding the time of the meeting. Plans had been made to have the meeting at 6pm at the courthouse for the May 17th meeting. It was determined the meeting would be held
at regular scheduled time of 9am. Clifton stated that there would be KORA requests for a copy of the study. Ashley stated copies are .35 cents per page. Clifton said this study could be
approximately 600 pages. Justin stated that the KORA request discussed previously was not charged for as there were procedural issues discovered. So we didn’t charge what we actually
spent because it shouldn’t have taken that long. Discussion continued regarding the feasibility study and the possibility of putting it on the website. Justin stated he wanted time to review the
report as there may be proprietary information. We can redact confidential information from the report that could have direct impact.
Lynne made a motion to allow Susan Bancroft, HR Director, to handle all HR and employment matters that report to the commission. If the elected officials wish to visit with Susan regarding
issues in their department they may certainly do so. If an employee under an elected official wishes to make a complaint they should be able to go to Susan. Susan stated that we are about
12 months away from having a revised handbook. Clifton seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion that the meeting for May 17th will be held in the Commission Room at the Courthouse at 9am and the meeting for May 24th be at Garland Community Building at 6pm.
Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn at 10:22am. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of May 9
May 9, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Harris,
Commissioner Oharah and the County Clerk were present for the entire meeting.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Harris,
Commissioner Oharah and the County Clerk were present for the entire meeting.
Commissioner Beth was present by phone during the executive session.
Also present for the meeting were Justin Meeks, Shane Walker and Susan Bancroft.
Jim made a motion to go into executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in this room at 9:16am.
The session will be for 15 minutes and will include Commissioners Harris and Oharah (Commissioner Beth by phone) Justin Meeks, Shane Walker and Susan Bancroft. Lynne seconded. Jim and Lynne approved. Lynne made a motion to resume normal session at 9:16am. Jim seconded. Both approved.
Lynne made a motion to allow Susan Bancroft to address and rectify a personnel issue.Jim seconded. Both approved.
Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lynne seconded. Both approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:17am.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commmissioner
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of May 3
May 3, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the
County Clerk present.
Matt Crystal, Clint Walker, Bill Martin, Matt Quick and Jason Silvers were also present for all or some of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meetings minute. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Eric presented a new field entry permit request from Joe Warren just south of 1161 50th street.
Lynne made a motion to approve the culvert permit. Clifton seconded. All approved.
The next permit is Josh Query on 2504 Limestone completion. The last one Christian Gospel Chapel.
You approved this one but once we got in there it ended up being a replacement. No extensions needed.
Asphalt meeting we talked about the Onyx. On 235th it is 4.8 miles and on 75th it’s 1 mile and that equals 5.8 miles for a price of $107,490.24. There is a 5 year warranty. Lynne
made a motion to go with the proposal for Onyx. Clifton seconded. All approved.
Eric stated with all the rain lately, they have been working 12 hours on dry days so that they can get gravel on the roads. Then later in the week when it’s raining they leave early to maintain 40 hours per
week. Eric stated he is keeping an eye open for another truck. Diesel is up around the $5.00 mark and we trying to cut corners everywhere we can and still remain productive.
Bridge at 160th & Fern work is coming along. Our bi-annual bridge inspections are completed and will be sent to KDOT. Once that is complete, they will be back to inspect our low water crossings.
Jimasked that Eric keep an eye on the ditch that is across the road from the cemetery on the east side of Horton out by Evergreen Cemetery. Jim said the water running has cut the ditch deep. Eric
stated the crusher should be showing up around the early part of next week if all goes well.
Clifton stated that he noticed a grader had cut some ditches up in their area and they did a good
job.
Eric reported to Lynne that they took some gravel to the cemetery up on Yale Road but was not able to dump because of low hanging limbs. He also stated that he has on his list to take gravel to the cemetery on 160th.
Becky Johnson from the SEK Multi-County Health Department appeared to request their annual funding. We are continually expanding and adding new programs to better serve Bourbon
County. We are applying for two new grants hoping to provide some new services to the community. We are proposing a request of $90,750.00 for the year of 2023 which remains the
same as last year. Services that we have provided in the last 12 months outside our normal scope: Covid 19 Case Investigations, contract tracing, fielding numerous Covid 19 related calls,
work and school release letters for isolation and quarantine, providing public guidance and education via newspaper, radio and Facebook, attending Covid 19 taskforce meetings, send
regular updates and risk levels to schools. Also, updated commissioners and emergency managers as well as attending Covid 19 webinars 4 days per week. We provided masks and
vaccination clinics to the public and businesses. We had a lot of help from our community to make this possible. We worked afterhours and on weekends to make sure ones needs and expectations were met.
Justin Meeks, County Counselor stated that he is pushing the next tax sale back to late June as some of the properties are slated for demolition. Seventy percent of the sale properties have
special assessments. The average price of the properties will be $8,000.00. We did send out the 2017 demand letters with the help of Patty’s office.
Justin requested an executive session.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with an
attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client
relationship for 4 minutes returning at 9:22am including 3 commissioners and Justin Meeks.
Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session with no action.
Lynne seconded. All approved.
Susan Bancroft requested an executive session. Clifton made a motion for an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect
their privacy including 3 commissioners and Susan Bancroft for 5 minutes returning at 9:28am.
Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Shane Walker, CIO, stated that the tower out east is now operational. We have ordered the other for Hidden Valley should be here in about 7 weeks. It is 150 feet. We’ll do another 100’ one at
Tomahawk. We will put one on the water tower in Garland.
Clifton made a motion for an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or
agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship including 3 commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Shane Walker, and Justin Meeks for 15 minutes returning at
9:46am. Lynne seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:46am with action. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion for Susan Bancroft and Shane Walker to meet with Kevin Ross in the near future. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Public Comment: No comment
Elected Official Comment: Bill Martin asked about EMS coming back to the county. Bill asked how we could take on the EMS when they have not been able to get raises. Susan clarified that
the County has always paid for EMS. It has always been county funded. Jim stated that there is no new dollars involved. Bill stated that Johnson County Medical Examiner Medical Office
would like to be considered to do our autopsies. Susan stated that she is already in communication with them.
Ashley stated that she and a member of her department would be attending the Kansas County Clerk meeting being held in Salina.
County Commission Comment: Lynne stated that Susan has lots of traffic in her office and if you need to visit with her, please conduct business and move on. She is very busy and needs time.
At 9:55am, Lynne made a motion to adjourn. Clifton seconded. All approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
DCCCA Youth Leadership Workshops
DCCCA is offering Kansas high school students an opportunity to expand their leadership skills at FREE regional workshops coming this September. Reserve your space at one of our five regional workshops. Students must be accompanied by at least one school representative sponsor. Sessions are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and lunch will be provided.
Agenda and more information coming soon!
Prevention is better together
and together we are stronger!
Dena Kemp, MSW, CPP
Southeast Kansas Community Support Specialist
Community Based Services Division
104 ½ W 9th Street, Suite 424
Winfield, KS 67156
620.670.2814 (Office)
620.218.2878 (Cell)