Energy
We are all painfully aware of the rapid rise in gas prices over the last year, and the significant adjustments we have made in our personal budgets to accommodate the increases. The price at the pump has almost doubled in the last 14 months, setting a new all-time high of $4.33 per gallon of regular gasoline based on the national average.
As individuals and non-oil related businesses, we know this is bad for Bourbon County, but what about our oil producers in the county? Where do we stand in oil production compared to the other 104 Kansas counties? Ninety counties reported oil production in Kansas, leaving 15 with zero production. Cherokee County was the only Southeast Kansas (“SEK”) name on that short list.
Woodson County is the SEK leader in oil production, with 3,788 wells producing 449,792 barrels of oil in 2019. Assuming oil producers are receiving $50 per barrel more than they did in January of 2021, Woodson County would have generated additional gross revenue of $22.5 million in 2019; that is over $7,200 per county resident, which is significant. Of the producing counties in SEK, Labette was at the bottom with 104 wells producing 7,168 barrels, adding annual gross revenue of $358,400.
In 2019, Bourbon County had 697 wells that produced 56,442 barrels of oil. Assuming the same $50 a barrel price increase, that generates an additional $2.8 million dollars in gross revenue, which equates to about $197 per resident. Not insignificant, but certainly less impactful than our neighbors to the west.
These numbers represent estimated additional gross revenue, but inflation has not been limited to the price of oil. Certainly these producers have incurred significant addition costs to get the oil out of the ground and to the buyers. In the process, they have added to our tax base; however, the windfall has been experienced by a relatively few residents while the cost increases at the pump have hit all of us.
The energy sector is another example of how national policies impact rural America beyond our control. We are experiencing the penalty of an overzealous rush to clean energy at the expense of our current system. Common sense would dictate that we let the pace of technological advances determine how quickly we evolve from fossil fuel to renewables. It is too soon to cancel pipelines, withhold Federal real estate from leasing, increase the cost of drilling permits and limit fracking. Additionally, our enemies benefit when we forfeit our energy independence.
Climate change is definitely a factor in all energy discussions, but the best science does not forecast an eminent catastrophe. In the meantime, let us efficiently use our existing energy resources while alternative technology advances, and minimize the negative impact to rural America and our country as a whole. An “all of the above” approach to energy, including nuclear, is best for rural America.
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Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 29, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
• Millie Lipscomb, Elks Lodge – Consideration of Donation for Fireworks
• Hamlin Energy Contract
• EMS – Dave Bruner
• County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
o Reminder: April 5th Commission Meeting at the Mapleton Community Center, 6pm
o Budget Forms & CIP Forms
• Noble Health
• Public Comment
• Elected Officials Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session: 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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 28th, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to review the submitted letters of interest to fill the open City Commission position.
Also, a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to the building at 8 N. National Avenue will be considered.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
This is Clara Wikoff’s first Walk Kansas event as a Nutrition, Food, and Health Kansas State University Extension Agent.
This year K-State Southwind District, which includes Bourbon County, is hosting the annual walk-team event in conjunction with Wildcat District, she said.
“We hope you’ll join us at the Wild Wind Fun Walk/Run Walk Kansas Kick-off,” she said. “It will be at Chanute, which is more central to each district.”
“Anyone can participate and those 18 and younger, can for free,” Wikoff said.
Adult registration is $25 which includes the event entry, T-shirt and Walk Kansas registration. If one just wants to participate, the program is free, she said.
If already registered for Walk Kansas, then pay $15 for the event and T-shirt.
The kick-off fun run starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, March 26, in the Neosho County Community College Student Union at 800 W. 14th in Chanute.
There will be a closed Walk Kansas Facebook support group page, she said. “To help people reach their goals. If a state of Kansas employee, you are eligible for Health Quest Credit.”
There will be a weekly newsletter, recipes, and a youth newsletter to all who participate, she said.
Walk Kansas is a team-based program that will help you and others lead a healthier life, according to a K-State press release.
Join this program and
You can register online at https://www.walkkansasonline.org
Print resources to get started are listed below:
For Team Captains: Captain Guide, Team Registration
For Participants: Participant Guide, Individual Registration, Daily Log
For Everyone: Walk Kansas Activity Guide
Guess what? There’s an app for that! You’ll need to register online first, then you can use it to log minutes, chat with your team, and more! Please note that the app is for iOS systems. An app for Android systems is in the works, and you’ll see it here when it becomes available.
If you have questions about Walk Kansas, please call Clara Wicoff: 620-365-2242, or email: [email protected]
KSRE Southwind District
FACS News Column
Joy Miller
620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Put Your Refund to Work
For many people, a tax refund is the largest check they will receive all year. And most of us wouldn’t be at a loss for ideas on how to spend that check, the dilemma is deciding what to drop from the list.
The IRS reports that the average tax refund is close to $3,000. This isn’t a crazy, change your life forever amount of money, but definitely an improve your financial standing amount. General rules of thumb are helpful in determining how to divide and utilize your tax refund. One option is the 30-40-30 plan to pay for your past, present, and future financial needs. Designate 30% of your refund to paying off debt and catching on up bills. Earmark 40% for current use. And utilize the other 30% to jump start an emergency fund or long-term savings.
It is always important to catch up or be prepared to pay current bills and financial commitments. If possible, use part of a tax refund to eliminate service or installment payment fees, late fees, or pay down high interest (double digit) debt. Paying for car, home, or renter’s insurance can be cheaper if paid in full instead of monthly installments. Some medical services provide a discount if the balance is paid in full, too. Avoiding late fees on bills or taxes and paying down debt increases future income to meet other financial needs and goals.
Another option is setting some funds aside for the expected but yet unexpected expenses such as a car repair, the air conditioner quitting, a medical bill, or loss of a job. Creating an emergency fund for these type of expenses helps reduce stress and the possibility of taking on debt.
You may also have a big ‘shopping list’ of wants and needs. Do you have plans for a kitchen remodel? A family vacation? College tuition? A tax refund can serve as the seed money for expenses that are two to five years away. Check with banks and financial companies for investment options that pays a return but not at the risk of losing value to help fund short term financial goals.
While it may seem far off, pay attention to your retirement savings, too. If it is thin, dedicate some of your tax refund into a retirement account such as an IRA. Time and compounding interest allow investments to grow, furthering your financial stability in the future.
Plan today on how to best use your tax refund for you and your family’s financial well-being.
For more information, please contact Joy Miller, Family Resource Management Extension Agent, at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
# # #
K – State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Submitted by Hannah Montee
The second annual Southeast Kansas Spring Classic was held at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott, KS on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Kids from across Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma came out for a shot at winning banners, cash, and prizes.
This is a one-day cattle show featuring bulls, breeding heifers, market heifers, market steers, and a showmanship class for all ages.
This year there were 6 Bulls, 93 Breeding Heifers, 6 Market Heifers, 51 Market Steers, and 71 Showmanship entries (ages 7-18) + a peewee and adult class, for a total of 152 calves and 227 total entries. There were 18 total breeds represented between the bulls and heifers.
The show is hosted by Adam and Hannah Montee of Arma. They hosted the show for the first time last year to give kids another chance to showcase their animals. Plans are already underway for next year’s show.
A huge thank you is extended to the Bourbon County Fair Board for the use of the fairgrounds. Their support and help throughout the process is greatly appreciated.
The results of the show:
Bull show –
Champion Angus: Easton Newsome
Grand Overall: Adysin McCarley – Lim-Flex (Girard, KS)
Reserve Overall: Josie Wilkins – Maine-Angus (Lamar, AR)
Top 2 breeding heifers –
• Angus: Grand – Grant Ward || Reserve – Corbin Ellerman
• Balancer: Grand: Hadlee Ketcherside
• Charolais: Grand – Jaden Teter || Reserve – Kensi Reed
• Charolais Comp: Grand – Braelynn Reed || Reserve – Kristy Beene
• Chi: Grand – Stockton Scott || Reserve – Carmun Scott
• Commercial: Grand – Mayci Wilkins || Reserve – Addy Burns
• Hereford: Grand – Grant Ward || Reserve – Drew Ballard
• Limousine: Grand – Aliston McCarley || Reserve – Maddix Small
• Lim-Flex: Grand – Adysin McCarley || Reserve – Clara Farran
• Maine-Angus: Grand – Cassidy Barker || Reserve: Stockton Scott
• Maine-Anjou: Grand – Dexter Small || Reserve – TJ Mills
• Maintainers: Grand – Madison Mcgee || Reserve – Braxtyn Evenson
• Mini Hereford: Grand – Morgan Pattimore || Reserve: Jayson Peterson
• Red Angus: Grand – Lucas Bowling || Reserve – Greta Rosenhagen
• Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus: Grand – Wyatt Fechter || Reserve – Kristin Penn
• Simmental: Grand – Ethan Kunkel || Reserve – Hayes Rickstrew
• % Simmental: Grand – Olivia Walrod || Reserve – Elsie Rickstrew
Breeding Heifers Final Drive Results –
Grand: Grant Ward (Angus)
Reserve: Cassidy Barker (Maine-Angus)
3rd: Corbin Ellerman (Angus)
4th: Olivia Walrod (% Simmental)
5th: Ethan Kunkel (Simmental)
Market heifers:
Grand: Mayci Wilkins (Lamar, AR)
Reserve: Wyatt Fetcher (Howard, KS)
Market Steer Final Drive Results –
Grand: Wyatt Collard (Class 9)
Reserve: Kyanna Lankton (Class 10)
3rd Overall: Wyatt Collard (Class 4)
4th Overall: Jarrett Birk (Class 5)
5th Overall: Halle Delk (Class 3)
Top 5 Senior showman –
Grand: Josie Wilkins (Lamar, AR)
Reserve: Kyanna Lankton (Le Roy, KS)
3rd: Corbin Ellerman (Atchison, KS)
4th: Lilly Parks (Emporia, KS)
5th: Clara Farran (El Dorado Spring, MO)
Top 5 Intermediate showman –
Grand: Elsie Rickstrew (Wamego, KS)
Reserve: Olivia Walrod (Bronaugh, MO)
3rd: Kennedi Hettinger (Drexel, MO)
4th: Jaylynn Birk (Yates Center, KS)
5th: Drew Ballard (Inman, KS)
Top 5 Junior showman –
Grand: Mayci Wilkins (Lamar, AR)
Reserve: Halle Delk (Harrison, AR)
3rd: Stockton Scott (Havana, KS)
4th: Braxtyn Evenson (Eureka, KS)
5th: Josephine Razey (Augusta, KS)
Results from our peewee and adult showmanship classes:
• Adult showmanship –
Grand: Austin Waltz
Reserve: Brook Falk
• Peewee showmanship –
Grand: Kash Hettinger
Tie for Reserve: Kane Stainbrook and Emery Mengarelli
