Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on November 21

 

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Payroll 11-15-2024

Accounts Payable 11-15-2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

November 21, 2024 9:00 a.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 11/14/2024
    2. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $332,559.66
    3. Approval of Payroll Totaling $300,763.10
    4. Approval of October Financials
  1. Eric Bailey-Discussion of Rock Quarry at Elm Creek
  2. Justin Meeks-Cemetery Right-of-Way
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

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.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Sunshine Boutique on November 21

Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Sunshine Boutique

Thursday, November 21st

8am

in Sunshine Boutique 18 E. Wall St.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a giveaway drawing!

Sunshine Boutique opened in 1981 by Georgia Brown and has been a cornerstone of Downtown for the past 43 years. Georgia recently officially transitioned ownership to one of her granddaughters, Rilie Creollo. Rilie is excited to continue the generational business, operating with the same amazing ideas and practices, although Georgia is still involved in ensuring the transition goes smoothly.

The kitchen room of Sunshine Boutique has a wide variety of coffees and gourmet treats. The back of the house is a floral design area where unique daily arrangements, corsage and boutonniere sets, wedding arrangements, and so much more are made. A $20 per month floral subscription, offering customers regular access to fresh blooms is also available. The boutique storefront has curated a wide selection of trendy clothing specific to each season.

Click here for their Facebook page for updates and upcoming events!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

ANNOUNCING THE 2024-2025 ARTEFFECT AMBASSADORS!

ANNOUNCING THE
2024-2025 ARTEFFECT AMBASSADORS!

34 esteemed educators nationwide selected for online professional development focused on Unsung Heroes will develop innovative capstone projects for their classrooms and communities.

ARTEFFECT Ambassadors is a prestigious visual arts education online fellowship for educators working directly with students in grades 6-12. The 34 fellows in the second annual cohort hail from 21 states.

This year’s ARTEFFECT Ambassadors will participate in a series of online professional development sessions, learning from other high-level practitioners in a collegial peer-learning community. Ambassadors also develop learner-centered visual-arts-based capstone projects. The program running through June 2025 culminates with Ambassadors presenting their capstone projects—such as developing a new lesson plan, a student art exhibition, a teacher-training program, a publication, or other activities—that have been implemented effectively within their classrooms and communities.

Members of the cohort represent diverse educational, professional, and geographic backgrounds. Browse Ambassadors profiles here.

Congratulations to the new ARTEFFECT Ambassadors!

Read Full Press Release
JOIN US!
ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
All educators are invited to join these free online sessions to foster teaching and learning about the LMC Unsung Heroes through the visual arts. Led by seasoned practitioners, these sessions explore varied themes related to the LMC Unsung Heroes, delve into strategies to deepen instructional practice, support student participation in the annual ARTEFEECT competition, and offer opportunities to engage with an expanding network of educators. Lesson plans and Certificate of Participation provided. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/ARTEFFECT-Online-Sessions
Still Time to Join!
Character & Values Session
Wednesday, 11/20 @ 4:00PM PT
Register for Character & Values!
The 2025 ARTEFFECT competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 through April 27, 2025.
Download 2025 Competition Poster
Learn more about the competition resources, rules and guidelines.
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
Copyright © 2024 Lowell Milken Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.

Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Annual Christmas Parade is December 5: A Storybook Christmas, Entries Welcomed

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the

Annual Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 5th

Downtown Fort Scott @ 6pm

The parade theme this year will be

“A Storybook Christmas”

The Chamber is calling all participants including businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals to enter the parade. There is no cost to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car, or other entry.

The parade is being sponsored by Briggs Auto.

Cash prizes will be awarded for overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries.

Entries may be made online at fortscott.com under the events tab, or by picking up a form at the Chamber office, 231 E. Wall Street. Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm.

The parade route will start at Wall & National, go south to 3rd St., turn left to Main St., then north on Main to Skubitz Plaza where the parade will end at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

Additional activities that evening will include:

* Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree

* Holiday Fireworks

*Photos with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree

*The Holiday Market Booths open from 5 to 10pm

* The Parkway Church of God Holiness – across from the Mayor’s Tree selling kettle corn

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will continue that weekend, and the full schedule may be found by clicking here!

Click here for the parade event page.

To learn more click here for the Christmas on the Bricks Facebook page.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!

STAY CONNECTED
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Ribbon Cutting for New DCF Building Is November 19 at 10 S. National

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), Nov. 19 at the Department of Children and Families’ new Fort Scott Service Center. We hope you can join us!

 

 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 2-4 p.m.

Where: 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott

What: Remarks from Secretary Laura Howard, ribbon cutting, refreshments and guided tours

Obituary of Timothy Phillips

Timothy Edward Phillips, age 37, made it through the checkered flag on November 14th, 2024, as he raced his way into Heaven’s gates. Born June 18, 1987, to Kenny Edward Phillips, Jr. and Tammy Ann (Harper) Phillips, he resided in the rural Fort Scott area his entire life. Timmy graduated from Uniontown High School in 2005 and was employed by Timken (formally Carlisle) for 19.5 years.

Although he frequented many different tracks, on any given Friday or Saturday night, you could find Timmy at Humboldt or Nevada Speedway with his family in the stands and his dad Kenny by his side. He had many hobbies to occupy his time including gaming, drawing, duck hunting and fishing. Timmy loved his family with everything he had and lived for racing his girls, and nephews around the field in the RAZR and hosting Sunday dinners where he would show off his smoking or grilling skills, introducing more new recipes than they could keep track of.

Tim leaves behind the love of his life, Jami Morgan, and their beautiful girls, Kenzi and Rylee. Tim is also survived by his parents, Kenny and Tammy Phillips, a sister, Kennda (Curtis) Major, nephews, Kason and Kipp Major; grandpa, Kenny Phillips, Sr. and Jami’s parents, Karen and Steve Brumback, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Tim was preceded in death by grandparents, Sue Cannon, Melvin Harper and Bonnie Phillips, great-grandmother, Cathern Smith and a close cousin, Hunter Kovacic.

Timmy’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Phillips Education Fund for Kenzi and Rylee and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary of Harry Meek

Harry Lee Meek, age 81, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Sunday, November 17, 2024, at his home.  He was born July 27, 1943, in Fort Scott, the son of Frank and Virginia “Tootie” Poyner Meek.  Harry graduated from Richards, MO high school.  He married Bonnie Mann in 1969 in Nevada, MO.  They later divorced.

Harry worked for 60-plus years for Maceli Music Company.  He loved every Thursday traveling to bars on his route, repairing pool tables and jukebox machines.  In his spare time, he could be seen cruising through town in his truck.  He enjoyed 50s and 60s music and Western movies, especially John Wayne.  Harry was a generous man, willing to help anyone in need.

 

Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Marsh and Lisa Meek, both of Fort Scott; 4 grandchildren, Tyler, Tanner, and Courtney Meek, and Fernando “Ponch” Arellano; a brother, Charlie Meek (Helen), Richards, MO; a sister, Brenda Budd (Albert), Nevada, MO; ex-wife Bonne Meek, Fort Scott; an aunt, Martha Cook, Fort Scott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Meek; a granddaughter, Remington Rose Meek; a brother, Tom Meek; and his parents.

 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening November 21st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Cremation will follow.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Harry Lee Meek Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Letter To The Editor: Deb McCoy

WHAT BURDEN OF EXPENSES HAS OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ATTORNEY, BOURBON COUNTY REDI, AND NOBLE/LEGACY IMPOSED UPON THE TAXPAYERS USING BOURBON COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS?

 

We lost our Hospital. We lost our emergency room services. It was devastating to a community who always took pride in a community who had medical services that were compared to and addressed as “the little Mayo of the Midwest.” Those of us who worked in the medical field took pride in being a part of these organizations.

 

I would like to remind you that it is the good people that we elected and appointed that we depend on to make good sound decisions for our community. It is disheartening when a decision was made that has taken our community down a rabbit hole at the expense of the taxpayers. What is more disheartening is that the good people elected have got caught up in the process of those who have come into our community with previous exploited actions that have affected other communities. We should have been more diligent when jumping into the decision making process that was made and researched the backgrounds and possible repercussions and consequences of those who were offering us an Acute Care Hospital and ancillary services which to date we still don’t have two years into the Legacy Donation Agreement.

 

Article 1, Donation of the Property

1.4.4 The Monetary Donation may only be used for: (i) building maintenance in connection with the Real Property and the improvements thereon; (ii) paying for other reasonable operating costs and expenses in connection with the Real Property including development of an Acute Care Hospital and ancillary services; and (iii) providing reduced rents to potential future tenants at the Real Property which provide a legitimate community benefit;

 

Article 7.1 General Provisions

7.1 Remedies. In the event of any breach or default by Donor or Donee hereunder, Donor and Donee’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be to terminate this Agreement with a return of the property and one million dollars to the Donor during the first year of operations. Years 2-4 the Donee will return $750,000.00 to the Donor along with the property and before the completion of the 5 year of operation return the property to the Doner with $500,000.00. Following the fifth year. Donor will have no remedies to terminate this Agreement with either return of funds and/or property.

 

Decision after decision has been made regarding the need for a hospital. The amount of time and money and effort in coming up with a solution seems to always fall back on the taxpayers of our community. The following figures reveal the amount of money that has been invested in the past, present and future of our community. It is staggering!

 

Feasibility Study $1 million dollars (City 200k & County $800K)

Mercy Hospital’s assets assessment of the building $19.6 million dollars

$2 million dollars

($1 million dollars from citizens donations)

($1 million dollars donation from a foundation.)

Mercy monetary donation of $600 thousand

________________________________________________________

Grand Total – 23.2 million dollars

 

Bourbon County REDI

(established on August 9, 2021)

Expenditures reports from the City and County for the years of 2021 thru 2024

Was given $855,017.68

 

County ¼ cent sales Tax effective October 1, 2024 to help “attract” Emergency Services by funding approximately $750,000 thousand  dollars annually over the next 5 years.

Estimate total $3,750,000.00

 

Taxes on the Mercy/Legacy               No Hospital Building

2024 showed that no taxes have been paid on any of the donated“Real Property” for 2023-2024

Balance $409,828.23

 

Application of Tax Abatement submitted on March 11, 2024, by Legacy for years at issue 2022

A Tax Abatement request was granted by the Board of Tax Appeals State of Kansas on September 9th, 2024.

Eliminating $354,131.35 dollars off of our existing tax records for the next 10 years.

Estimated Total $1,805,131.90

(May I remind you that the 2025 budgets are already in place and the County, City, School Districts, and Fort Scott Community College will be affected)

Total of all figures above $30,019,977.81

This does not include the legal funds and ancillary funds surrounding the process.

 

What happens if Legacy sells the hospital building? What happens to the land that was divided up into three lots? (2023-2024 taxes have not been paid to date.) Do the new owners receive the tax abatements? Where is our return? My last question is who is the one that prevailed?

 

Deb McCoy

11/16/2024

 

Annual Christmas Parade Is On December 5: A Storybook Christmas

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 6pm

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Annual Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Downtown Fort Scott starting at 6 pm.

The parade theme this year will be “A Storybook Christmas”. The Chamber is calling all participants including businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals to enter the parade.

There is no cost to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car, or other entry. The parade is being sponsored by Briggs Auto and cash prizes will be awarded for overall 1 st , 2 nd ,
and 3 rd place entries.

Entries may be made online at fortscott.com under the events tab, or by picking up a form at the Chamber office, 231 E. Wall Street. Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm.

The parade route will start at Wall & National, go south to 3rd St., turn left to Main St., then north on Main to Skubitz Plaza where the parade will end at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

Additional activities that evening will include the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, Holiday Fireworks, and photos with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. The Holiday Market Booths for Christmas on the Bricks will also be open from 5 to 10 pm that evening with eight vendors, and the Parkway Church of God Holiness will be across from the Mayor’s Tree selling kettle corn.

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will continue that weekend, and the full schedule may be found at fortscott.com/Christmas-on-the-bricks.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com

Bourbon County Local News