Bourbon County Commission Minutes of August 12

August 12, 2021                                   Thursday 9:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Donnie Coffman, Clint Walker, Michael Hoyt, Lora Holdridge, Rob Harrington, Michael Braim, Josh Jones, Robert Coon and Ryan Coon.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 27 Commission meeting, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

The Commissioners opened the 2 sealed bids they received for the building located at 17 S. Main, they were as follows: Tracy Dancer bid $62,500 for the property and the contents and Coon Rentals LLC bid $158,000 (including uninstalled windows, excluding juke box and other owned personal property).  Justin briefly reviewed the contract and said that one of the bids didn’t meet the specifications.  Lynne said some of the equipment is almost impossible to remove.  Clifton made a motion to accept the high bid from Coon Rental for 17 S. Main, Jim seconded and all approved.  Justin said he would get the title process started and said that BAJA currently still owns the property until the transfers occur.

 

Eric Bailey met with the Commissioners, he presented 3 culvert permits.  Jim made a motion to allow public works to install the following culverts: one for Paula Russell at 2286 Poplar, one for Albert Nelson at 379 40th and one for Sarah Shepherd at 130th & Arrowhead, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Jim made a motion to allow Public Works to install 45 mph signs on 250th between Arrowhead and Indian Road, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Eric said they had installed stop sign ahead signs at 180th & Fern.  And said the signs were up in the area of 130th & Arrowhead.

 

Eric gave an asphalt update; he said they are to Eagle Road and will move to 125th next.

 

Eric said they had done dust control around the County.  They replaced tubes at 2088 Wagon and 2645 Unique (they also did ditching in this area).

 

They plan to crush at the Blake Quarry next week and will move to the Thomas Quarry after the Blake Quarry.  Jim said he had noticed that the crusher is starting to cost money for repairs; he asked that Eric start tracking expenses for the crusher.

 

Lynne said the wheel loader is starting to get a lot of hours on it.  Eric said they have 2 dump trucks down – one is being fixed and one is being looked at.

Eric said the Sterling truck has issues and said he had located a Kenworth Freightliner on Purple Wave with low miles and said he would like to bid on it.  Jim made a motion to put the Sterling truck on Purple Wave and authorize Eric to bid up to $50,000 on the Kenworth with the low mileage, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Eric said he had an employee in need of donated vacation time for an illness; Jim made a motion to allow Eric to get leave time for the employee, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Eric said there was a bridge at 60th & Grand that the last heavy rain had eroded; he said he had been working with someone regarding what needs to happen to fix it.

 

He said they cleaned off a bridge at 120th & Unity, put rock down and asphalt on the top.

 

They fixed a low water crossing on Kansas.

 

Eric said they are training with CIC and are looking at using the timeclock in the future.

 

Eric discussed the soybean removal; he said they have to get the soybeans composted.  They can have the engineer help get a permit filed and once they have a permit, they will have to move the site about 50 yards.  Jim made a motion to allow Public Works to work with the engineer to get a permit with KDHE and start a compost pile, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Eric said it is in the budget for them to get a piece of equipment, he said he would like to get a mini excavator; he said they have over 100 tubes that need replaced.  Jim said he thought a mini excavator has its place, but thought the New Holland might be getting ready to quit, he said a backhoe has 6-8 more feet and can do more, he said a mini excavator is limited on what it can do.  Lynne said they are behind on ditching and tubes, Eric said they did maintenance on the backhoe last week and said he thought it had several hours left.  Eric estimated a mini excavator to cost between $80,000-$100,000 and a backhoe to cost $125,000.  Jim said he didn’t support buying a new excavator.  Clifton asked Eric to get prices on both pieces of equipment and present those to the Commissioners.  Eric will get the total hours on the backhoe and the maintenance log as well.

 

Windmill update: Eric said he gave them the approval to use 30th & Arrowhead to Cavalry and 60th & Birch to Cavalry, Eric said they did an excellent job of building up the roads.  They did a crane crossing at 20th & Eagle.

 

Lynne said he had a request for the County to install children playing signs on Indian around the Bourbon Allen Lake; Eric said installing those signs could be a liability issue.

 

Clifton reported potholes at the Hospital – one on the curved driveway and one at the FSCC entrance.  Eric said they had dug out the ambulance barn’s driveway entrance.  Eric asked if the County owned the parking lot to the west of the hospital; the Commissioners said no.

 

Lynne asked Eric to look at the crossing on 95th ¼ mile south of 65 Highway.

 

Don George was scheduled later on the agenda, Lynne made a motion to allow Don George to speak now to discuss grants, Clifton seconded and all approved.  Don George said the County had received a Kansas Wildlife & Parks community fisheries assistance program grant for the renovation of the dam at Elm Creek Lake.  The total cost of the project is $161,000 and the reimbursement grant is for $40,000.  The County’s portion totaling $121,000 is for labor and supplies (the County will have to track man hours and expenses).  Eric said they drilled and feel they found where a seam is leaking; they will dig down and fill it with clay, (this is in an area northeast of the boat launch).  Jim said he was good with fixing this if they have a long-term plan for the lake; Don George said he would help with the long-term plan.  Clifton said he wanted the dam fixed correctly.  Jim asked if this quote included fixing the leak around the pipe; Eric said it did not.  Don said the lake is an economic asset for the County and said the buildings there are a prize.  Don said Bourbon County is lucky to have a lake like this and said they need to promote it so that people will come use it.  Clifton made a motion to accept the grant and to allow Lynne to sign it, Jim seconded and all approved.  Don will work with Eric Bailey on this project.

 

Don George said the Uniontown school pond dam needs repairs and said they received a grant for the repairs.  He said the County has rock and said the City of Uniontown needs rock for the repairs.  Jim made a motion to allow Eric to work with the City of Uniontown to haul in big rock at the Uniontown school pond, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

David Neville met with the Commissioners to discuss the Renodry proposal and rising damp report regarding a study they did on the Courthouse.  The report showed there was moisture in the Courthouse, David said he knew this and said they are seeing deterioration and said he thought something is needed, but at this point he didn’t understand the Renodry process.  Jim suggested allowing David more time to understand this and then make recommendations.  Jim suggested that David contact Mid Continental as well.  David said the chimney needed a cap; the Commissioners were all in favor of him getting a cap for the chimney.

 

KCAMP provided Bourbon County with new bylaws; Clifton made a motion to adopt Resolution 23-21 and to allow Lynne to sign this, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to adopt Resolution 24-21 (a salary resolution for elected officials), Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-21 (a wage resolution for non-elected personnel), Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to move Bill Martin’s meeting time above Jim Harris’, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Alvin Metcalf and Leroy Kruger met with the Commissioners to discuss the leaks at the law enforcement facility.  Bill said the leaks were brought up with the prior Commissioners; he presented pictures from September 2019 and pictures now.  He said that condensation from the rooftop a/c is pooling and sitting on the roof.  He said they didn’t install a pipe for the HVAC units to drain the units.  Bill said in 2019 a meeting was set up that he wasn’t invited to that included the contractors, architects, the County Counselor and a Commissioner; he said he wasn’t sure what was addressed or how it was taken care of, but said now there are additional issues including water leaking into a pipe that is exposing wires and water sitting inside the HVAC unit.  He said he had a roof inspection done to see where the leak was coming from, they also have a leak(s) coming through a light fixture.  Bill asked what do we need to do to get this corrected?  Alvin said phones have been ruined and said when the water hits the sensor the fire and smoke alarms go down.  Bill has a meeting scheduled with GGA (August 23) and the contractors that installed the roof.  Bill asked Lynne what took place at the meeting that was held in 2019 and asked if the building had been signed over to the County Commissioners yet?  Lynne recommended that a Commissioner attend the meeting to go over their concerns, Jim said this needs to be fixed and said if it is a contractor issue, they can address that later. Lynne said the bill for the inspection (approximately $2,000) would be paid out of General.  Lynne made a motion to allow Clifton to attend the meeting with GGA and the Sheriff for a resolution with the roof issues and if not satisfactory get it fixed, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton said that Bill Martin needed to replace the 2012 body camera system; Bill said the bids for replacement are $87,000 & $132,000, he said there is some money in the VIN account and said he could use some of it for the cameras.  Bill said the following wasn’t a scare tactic to get what he wants, but said they have a 1932 Tommy gun, he said money is tight and sometimes you need to have a garage sale and said it might be time to have a garage sale.  Lynne asked if there were any grants that could be applied for, Bill said the grant people he works with said there is no grant money available.  Clifton said maybe there is some of the ARPA money that could be spent for this, they will ask Susan about this.  Lora Holdridge said the Tommy gun is a piece of history and said the HPA would prefer to get a case and put this on display. Bill said if the gun certificate were on display in a bigger location, with Fort Scott mentioned, it might bring people to Fort Scott to visit.

 

Jim made a motion to go into a 20-minute executive session for 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 the Commission room at 10:57, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Fort Scott Mayor Josh Jones and Justin Meeks). At 10:57, Clifton made a motion to resume the normal session with action, Jim seconded and all approved.  Jim made a motion to allow Chairman Oharah to work with Shane and the City of Fort Scott making a transition on a timeline for HR director and joint services, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Lora Holdridge asked that the elected officials comment portion of the meetings be moved after the public comment section; she said she previously had come to a meeting to correct someone that didn’t have their facts straight during public comment and said by moving this the elected officials would have a chance to respond. The Commissioners asked that this be moved below public comment.

 

Justin said Susan Bancroft had meetings scheduled next week regarding the County health insurance, Justin said the quotes couldn’t happen without a broker; the Commissioners said that Susan could discuss this with them next week.

 

Justin said he had a request that the Commissioners move the Commission meetings to Thursdays since the City also has meetings on Tuesdays, Clifton and Lynne were both ok with Thursdays, but Jim wasn’t.  Jim made a motion that starting next week they move the Commission meetings to Wednesday’s, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 9-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship concerning a procedural issue with the tax sale and a lease agreement, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:19, Jim seconded and all approved.  Clifton made a motion to resume the normal session with action, Jim seconded and all approved. After the session, Justin said during the executive session he had presented a lease agreement between the Bourbon County Commission and the City of Fort Scott for basically a shared services with regards to this structure, Mr. Farmer has reviewed that and has approved it.  Justin said he would ask the Commissioners to be allowed to have the Chairman sign this, he said it is basically a term lease and there are ways to get out of it, he said these two things as an attorney he would want his clients to know.  Jim made a motion for the Bourbon County Commissioners to enter a lease agreement with the City of Fort Scott on shared services within this building for a term as stated in this contract and allow the Chairman to sign this agreement ($1,000 a month, ten-year term), Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Justin said he had learned that there was another employee with COVID; he had requests by the Emergency Manager and the Health Department recommending that the County go back to COVID conditions by closing the Commission meetings to the general public and streaming the meetings and that elected officials and department heads be given discretion to require masks if they so choose.  Clifton said he has had COVID twice and said he had been very sick and that the COVID case numbers were above what they were a year ago.  Clifton made a motion that they go back to closed sessions and stream the meetings to the public and that elected officials and department heads use their own discretion if they want to require masks, this will be for the foreseeable future and that they re-evaluation this monthly, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Public Comment: Lynne said they were limiting public comment to 3 minutes.  Michael Braim said he was glad everyone was here and healthy, he said he thought Lynne Oharah got personal and called out a woman that was here a few weeks ago, he thought he was way out of line and felt he tried to intimidate and embarrass her and said he could have spoken to her in private.  He said as an elected official he doesn’t get to tell someone that they can’t criticize him.  He said Lynne gave himself $17,500 for flooring; Lynne said this was a legal document and said the money went to his wife’s business.  Lynne said he wasn’t going to bring his wife’s business or personal affairs into this, Mr. Braim said he would be back next week.  Mr. Braim said that BEDCO was a field experiment and said it was time they tried something else; he said the list of completed projects was short.  He suggested putting the money in places it was going to matter like police, roads and sewer; he said that is economic development.

 

Michael Hoyt questioned the closed Commission meetings and asked if there was a way to send public comments in; the Commissioners suggested they be emailed to Kendell prior to the Commission meeting and Kendell will forward them to the Commissioners.

 

Clint Walker (regarding internet service around the County) questioned the IT money and asked if the Commissioners had a handle on this and if they were putting in more towers; Lynne said they are moving forward with 5 towers in different areas.  Justin said at the end of September the dishes are coming off the tower the County owns East of town and they will make the tower active around the end of September.

 

Commissioner Comment: Clifton said BEDCO is a change in path from the past and said it had only been in existence for 4 months and said they need 1-2 years to see if it’s going to work; he said it has his full support.  Lynne said it is modeled off other communities that have been successful.

 

At 11:37, Jim made a motion to adjourn, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

August 18, 2021, Approved Date

USD 234 Board News Release

NEWS RELEASE

 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  Mr. Wood opened the Budget Hearing.  Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented information regarding the 2021-22 budget.  Mr. Wood closed the Budget Hearing

Board members approved the 2021-22 budget.

Board members heard a presentation by Dr. Doug Shane.

Several patrons spoke during the public forum.

Board members approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Allison Dey, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

B.    Resignation of Jessica Johnson, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

C.    Leave of absence for Haleigh Lowry, Winfield Scott cook

D.    Transfer of Megan Hull, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year; transfer of Vangie Korinke, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, to Winfield Scott paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

E.     Employment of Andon Prestley as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

F.     Employment of Mikiah Anderson as a preschool center paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

G.    Employment of Laryn Thompson as a middle school 7.5-hour paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

H.    Employment of Shytanna Reed as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

I.      Employment of teacher mentors for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years

J.      Resignation of DeLynn Abati as the high school play assistant, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

K.    Employment of Josh Hudiburg as a middle school assistant boys’ basketball coach for the 2021-22 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

NEWS RELEASE From USD 234

 

 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 – 5:30 p.m.

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  Mr. Wood opened the Revenue Neutral Hearing.  Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented information regarding the Revenue Neutral Hearing.  Mr. Wood closed the Revenue Neutral Hearing.

Board members approved the following:

 

·       Resolution 21-07 – To Adopt LOB Percentage

·       Resolution 21-08 – A Resolution expressing the Property Taxation Policy of USD 234 Fort Scott with Respect to Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for Financing the Annual Budget for 2021-22

 

The board adjourned.

Nurses Urged to Renew License

Governor Kelly Urges Nurses to Renew Licensing Before August 28 Deadline

~Nurses with license expiration dates between March 31, 2020 through July 31, 2021 must renew before Saturday~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly urged Kansas nurses to renew their licensing requirements before the Saturday, August 28, 2021 deadline. The Kansas State Board of Nursing announced the notice for Kansas Nurses, and employers of Kansas Nurses, who were working under the professional licensing waivers issued via the COVID-19 disaster declaration Executive Order 21-09. Licensed nursing professionals impacted by the ending of these waivers are urged to renew their license as soon as possible.

“Since COVID-19 invaded Kansas, our nurses have been on-call around the clock to keep Kansans safe and healthy and I can’t thank them enough for their life-saving work,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Right now, we need our Kansas nurses more than ever. I urge all Kansas nurses to renew their licensing, so we can continue to care for patients.

“To all the unvaccinated Kansans – we owe it to our nurses to get vaccinated now. We must reduce the strain on our hospital system and our healthcare workers. We all need to step up and do our part to protect each other,” Governor Kelly said.

The Board of Nursing began sending multiple electronic and postcard mail renewal notices to licensees and stakeholders about the expiring waivers in the weeks and months leading up to the ending of these waivers.  The Board has also continued to release public notices via social media, the agency newsletter and the KSBN website throughout the COVID pandemic emergency.

Without a disaster declaration, the governor and Board of Nursing cannot further extend the waivers. Legislative action is necessary to extend any waiver beyond August 28th.

The nurses impacted by these waivers are those who had a Kansas nursing license with a normal expiration date of March 31, 2020 through July 31, 2021 and who have NOT yet renewed their licensure.

Any of these licensees that are NOT renewed by August 28, 2021 will begin to lapse on August 29, 2021.

A nurse with a lapsed Kansas nursing license can no longer work until their license is reinstated.

If you are a Kansas Nurse or if you employ a Kansas Nurse and you are unsure when your nursing licenses expires, you may check the status of your license via the Nursing License Verification Database.  This is a free service offered to the public and nurses.

Renewing your Kansas nursing license is a simple process that takes only minutes to complete.

  • To renew your license, simply visit the “Getting Started” section of the Board of Nursing website.
  • Read and follow all applicable instructions.
  • Then, log into the Kansas Nursing License Portal to complete your renewal and pay applicable fees.
  • To confirm your renewal has been completed, the nurse may do so via the same portal or by checking the Nursing License Verification Database.  (Please allow up to two hours for the public verification database to update prior to checking.)

For more information or to renew your nursing license, please visit the Board of Nursing’s website at https://ksbn.kansas.gov/

Bucks Rewarded to Drivers Who Buckle Up


Safe Kids Kansas, State Farm and KDOT partner up for safety message

Topeka – Thousands of vehicles will be traveling the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend.  Many families will head out on one last camping trip or getaway as the school year begins.  Safe Kids Kansas, (sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment), State Farm and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most valuable asset, their families.

This year, August 28 through September 12, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” is being held in 46 cities across Kansas.  Dollar bills are being distributed by local volunteers to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle.  Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

“No one can predict when they will be involved in a motor vehicle crash, yet almost all of us will be involved in an automobile crash in our lifetime.  In 2020, 365 people lost their lives on Kansas roadways and 56 percent of them were unbuckled,” said Cherie Sage, State Director for Safe Kids Kansas.  “The single most effective means of protecting the lives of you and your passengers is wearing seat belts and using appropriate child restraints every time you ride in the vehicle – even short distances.”

According to the 2020 KDOT Seat Belt Survey, 85 percent of Kansans surveyed were wearing their seat belts.  This compares to the national average is 90 percent.  Kansas ranked 42nd in belt use in 2019, among 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Seat belts save more than 15,000 lives every year and are the best defense against drunk, aggressive, and distracted drivers. “Seat belts are the single most effective device you can use to save your life during a vehicle crash,” said Sage.   “They also reduce your chances of having a serious injury by as much as 50 percent.  It’s such a simple thing, so take your life into your own hand and buckle up.”

For more information about safety belt or child safety seat use, call 785-296-1223 or visit www.safekidskansas.org, www.safekids.org and www.facebook.com/safekidskansas.

A list of Bucks for Buckles sites and coordinators can be downloaded here.

This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For more information about obtaining an alternative format, you may contact Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-1223, or [email protected]. Both speech/hearing disabled and hearing Kansans can access the Kansas Relay Center by calling toll-free 1-800-766-3777. Callers should inform the relay operator of the number they wish to call and the type of call they are making direct, credit card, collect, person-to-person, etc.

Visit us at www.safekidskansas.org and on Facebook.

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New Realtor Added to Lyons Realty Group: Chelsea Harrison

Chelsea Harrison, 28, is a new realtor at Lyons Realty Group.
Originally from Frontenac,  in 2012 she moved to Fort Scott and fell in love with the community, she said.
She started a career in health care and worked for the Mercy Physicians Group, transitioning to Mercy Emergency Room until the closure of the hospital.
“Up until recently, I held a position at the office of Dr. Katrina Burke,” she said.
She decided on a career change after renovating a home.
“My interest in real estate started when my fiance and I purchased our first home and did a full renovation on the property,” she said. “It was such a rewarding experience to be able to create our own space and watch it transition into our family home”
“My fiance and I have two boys, 4 and 6 years old,” Harrison said.
” I fell in love with the idea of getting to help other clients and families find their dream homes,” Harrison said.
“I was immediately drawn to Lyons Realty Group for that reason,” she said. “Upon meeting with Bailey, it became clear that the mission of Lyons Realty Group was to truly serve the client and give them the best possible experience when purchasing or selling their home, which made it a great fit for me.”
“After working in health care for the last 10 years, I am truly excited to be able to serve the community of Fort Scott and surrounding areas in a new way,” she said.
Lyons’ Realty Group, taken from its Facebook page.
Contact Harrison at the Lyons Realty Group office:  620.266.9448 or her cell phone: 620.249.9825, or her email:
 chelsea@lyonsrealtygrp.com

Obituary of Pauline Dunn

Pauline Marie Dunn

Pauline Marie Dunn, age 91, a former resident of Macomb, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Pauline moved to Ft. Scott fourteen months ago to be near her daughter.

Pauline is survived by her three children, Christy Pollock, Jim Dunn and Randy Dunn.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Macomb, Illinois under the direction of the Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home. Local arrangements were handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Jazz and R and B Violinist to Play October 8

The Gordon Parks Museum Presents:
“DOMINIQUE HAMMONS”
“I AM STRADIVARI”
Multi-Talented Contemporary
Jazz & R&B Violinist
PERFORMING AT
The River Room
3 W. OAK ST., FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Performance at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $30 in advance, or $35 at the door.
Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum or over the phone (620) 223.2700, Ext. 5850
ClickHERE to visit the Gordon Parks Museum website.
Click HEREto view the Press release from The Gordon Parks Museum and learn more about his amazing and talented performer that is coming to Fort Scott!

KDHE Announces Release of Kansas COVID County Rankings Report

Editors note: SEK Multi County Health Department Administrator Becky Johnson provided the following helpful links: https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data (this has numbers of persons vaccinated)
This is the link for number of cases in Kansas by county: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

 

TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced the release of the Kansas COVID County Ranking report. This report is designed to help county commissioners and local leaders stop the spread of COVID-19 in their communities by tracking critical COVID-19 metrics including testing, case and vaccination rates.

“I believe that data is a powerful tool we can use to guide our response to COVID-19,” Dr. Lee Norman said. “I am hopeful this report empowers action in communities and encourages sharing and implementation of best practices across Local Health Departments. Local leaders and communities are working tirelessly to keep us safe; to help them, helps all of us.”

This report is not a report-card, as multiple factors impact COVID-19 testing, case and vaccination rates in our communities. It brings together the most critical COVID-19 metrics at a local level to help state, county, and local leaders work together to stop the spread of the dangerous COVID-19 delta variant and keep Kansans safe and keep the economy open.

“Over the past 18 months, Kansas Counties have worked tirelessly to provide ongoing response and vital resources for county residents to keep them safe and informed on the evolving COVID-19 virus,” shared Bruce Chladny, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Counties, “And, the county response efforts, including vaccinations and essential messaging, continue as Kansas now experiences yet another surge from the deadly virus.”

Three metrics are reported and ranked across each county:

  • Full series vaccination rate of eligible population (12+ year olds)
  • 7- day daily average number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people
  • 7- day daily average number of COVID-19 tests administered per 100,000 people

Each county’s rankings are added together to generate a total score for the county. The total scores for counties are then ranked from 1-105.

The report will be refreshed three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It can be found on KDHE’s website at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas. Data for the report is provided by the CDC and KDHE.

Governor Directs State Agencies to Return to Remote Work

TOPEKA – In response to the continued spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, Governor Laura Kelly today released new guidance directing state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch to resume remote work operations where possible.

“Since the start of the pandemic, my administration has followed the best public health guidance to keep our communities safe, mitigate the spread of the virus, and reduce strain on hospitals,” Governor Kelly said. “The decision to return to remote work was not made lightly – but we know that this is a necessary step to prevent COVID-19 infections. I am confident that our state employees will continue to provide quality services to all Kansans who need them.”

The remote work model will remain in place through October 4th. At that time, a re-assessment of current COVID-19 infection rates will determine when state employees can return to fully on-site work.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, state agency operations shifted to remote work for employees whose job functions could be performed remotely. In June, after a significant reduction in daily COVID-19 infections, state employees began returning to state office buildings.

As infection numbers began to rise again throughout the summer, a transition to remote work will help control the spread of the virus among state employees. Onsite staffing will be limited to only those necessary to safely conduct agency operations.

Mask requirements, social distancing and other mitigation measures will remain in place for employees whose jobs must be performed on-site. Public offices serving customers will be encouraged to re-institute mitigation measures that were previously utilized during the pandemic, such as scheduling “by appointment only” or making allowances for virtual as opposed to in-person interactions. All such measures will be carried out in a way as to have as minimal an impact or inconvenience on customers.

View the new guidance here. 

Kansas Industrial Hemp Regulations Amended for Harvest Season

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The state rules and regulations board has approved the adoption of temporary amendments to the Kansas industrial hemp regulations which were proposed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The regulation amendments will align Kansas’ industrial hemp regulations with the USDA’s Final Rule on commercial hemp production.

The amended regulations extend the timeframe to complete sampling and harvest, provide flexibility to producers regarding potential remediation of plants if sampling tests above acceptable THC levels, and increases the threshold at which a crop will be deemed to have been produced negligently. The full amended regulations for K.A.R. 4-34-24, K.A.R. 4-34-25 and K.A.R. 4-34-29 can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/IndustrialHemp.

Because these amendments directly address regulations that affect harvest, they were expedited to be in place on a temporary basis. Plans are in progress to make them permanent through the official rules and regulations approval process. Public comments may be submitted online after September 2 and a public hearing will be held on November 8 as KDA considers finalizing the regulations; KDA will release details on the public comments and hearing soon.

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Kansas Industrial Hemp Regulations Amended for Harvest Season.pdf