Monthly Archives: October 2023
October Pet Special offered by SEK Veterninary Center
SEK Veterinary Center….October’s Pet Special!
Kick off Fall by getting your cats spayed or neutered to help control the pet population!
Feline Spay:
Package #1-$65
Physical Exam, Spay, Rabies Vaccine
Package #2-$75
Physical Exam, Spay, Rabies Vaccine, Flea/Tick Treatment
Package #3-$82
Physical Exam, Spay, Rabies Vaccine, Flea/Tick Treatment, Dewormer
Feline Neuter:
Package #1-$40
Physical Exam, Neuter, Rabies Vaccine
Package #2-$50
Physical Exam, Neuter, Rabies Vaccine, Flea/Tick Treatment
Package #3-$60
Physical Exam, Neuter, Rabies Vaccine, Flea/Tick Treatment, Dewormer
Discounts are good for the month of October. Give us a call today to schedule your surgery appointment!
620.223.1171
submitted by:
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tickets Available for KC Allstars Dance Party Oct.6
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KS Tax Collections $42M More than Estimated
Governor Kelly Announces September Total Tax Collections $42M More than Estimate
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that total tax collections for September 2023 were $991.6 million. That is $42.0 million, or 4.4%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up $30.6 million, or 3.2%, from September 2022.
“Because of my administration’s work to put our state on solid financial footing, we have been able to grow our economy and make historic investments in schools, roads, and law enforcement,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, it’s time to give money back to Kansans through responsible tax cuts. Last session, I proposed a plan to cut property, grocery, and retirement taxes in a way that helps every family without robbing the state of its ability to continue growing the economy and making those key investments. Let’s get it done this upcoming session.”
Individual income tax collections were $390.9 million. That is $24.1 million, or 5.8%, below the estimate and down 11.4% from September 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $261.5 million. That is $61.5 million, or 30.8%, more than the estimate and up 53.7% from September 2022.
“Wage withholding remains one of the most reliable revenue streams with 12.2% growth over September 2022. In addition, the SALT Parity Act continues to cause a shift between individual and corporate income tax receipts, with the former being $24.1 million below the estimate and the latter being $61.5 million over the estimate,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart. “Notwithstanding this reporting anomaly, overall tax receipts closely track the Consensus Revenue Estimate for the month of September.”
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $305.1 million, which is $5.1 million, or 1.7%, more than the estimate and down $4.5 million, or 1.4%, from September 2022.
Click here to view the September 2023 revenue numbers.
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KS Managed Care Organization Contracts Expire Dec. 31
KDHE Announces Re-Procurement of KanCare Medicaid & CHIP Capitated Managed Care Request for Proposals
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Administration, has released the KanCare Medicaid & CHIP capitated managed care request for proposals (RFP) for the provision of managed health care coverage to low-income children and pregnant women, seniors aged 65 or older, individuals with disabilities, and some parents who meet income eligibility requirements.
The current managed care organization (MCO) contracts expire on December 31, 2024.
“My administration is committed to using every lever possible to improve health care across the state, which is why this RFP was carefully crafted to learn from past models and to find new ways to reach uninsured Kansans,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This process is vital to providing the quality health care Kansas’ Medicaid recipients deserve.”
“The RFP represents Kansas’ continued commitment to providing consistent and quality health care coverage for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Christine Osterlund, Deputy Secretary for Agency Integration and Medicaid. “Updates to the KanCare program in this RFP include a renewed focus on improving outcomes by addressing integrated, whole-person care, workforce retention, accountability measures for the MCOs and other cost-effective strategies to improve the delivery system for members and providers.”
This RFP was carefully developed based on valuable feedback from members, providers, stakeholders, and legislators. The State expects selected MCOs to provide the expertise, experience, innovative strategies, methods of approach and capabilities necessary to advance the KanCare vision and goals. The MCOs must demonstrate congruence with the KanCare vision and goals in all aspects of their performance under the contract.
The procurement follows this schedule:
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Event |
Date |
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1. |
State releases RFP |
October 2, 2023 |
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2. |
Pre-bid conference and actuarial pre-bid conference (Mandatory) |
October 16, 2023 |
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3. |
Deadline for submitting written questions requesting clarifications |
October 23, 2023, by 12 p.m. CT |
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4. |
State will post an amendment with bidder questions and agency answers |
November 28, 2023 |
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5. |
Proposal submission deadline (RFP closing date) |
January 4, 2024, by 2 p.m. CT |
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6. |
Evaluation of bids conducted by State |
January 5, 2024 to March 21, 2024 |
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7. |
Face-to-face negotiations with selected bidders |
TBD |
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8. |
Contract award |
April 12, 2024 |
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9. |
Bid protest period |
April 15, 2024 to May 17, 2024 |
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10. |
Readiness review period |
End of bid protest to December 31, 2024 |
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11. |
KanCare 2.0 MCO contracts expire |
December 31, 2024 |
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12. |
New contracts take effect — services rendered under new contracts |
January 1, 2025 |
“Working with our partners at KDHE, we are committed to conducting a thorough and transparent procurement process to ensure the best product is made available to the people of Kansas,” said Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt. The Department of Administration is responsible for administering the procurement process.
Interested parties may access relevant procurement documents at the Kansas Department of Administration E-Supplier Page and clicking on Bid Event Number EVT0009267 titled “KanCare Medicaid & CHIP Capitated Managed Care”. The Department of Administration E-Supplier Page can be accessed at: https://supplier.sok.ks.
Additional RFP resources can be found at https://kancare.ks.gov/about-
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Wanted: Public Comment on Kansas Broadband Digital Equity Plan
Governor Kelly Releases Kansas Broadband Digital Equity Plan for Public Comment
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Kansas Digital Equity (DE) Plan for high-speed internet connectivity is available for public review and comment. While the recently announced Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan outlines the state’s plan to provide access to high-speed internet, the Digital Equity Plan focuses on specifically connecting users.
The DE Plan outlines digital skills training, affordable service plans, and the availability of broadband-ready devices as top priorities. Additionally, the plan emphasizes technology’s positive effect on various areas of everyday life, such as health care, education, and civic engagement.
“Digital equity empowers Kansans with the tools they need to succeed in the modern world,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The release of the Digital Equity Plan marks a significant milestone in our commitment to closing technology gaps. I urge everyone to participate in the public comment process.”
The DE Plan represents a significant step towards achieving the state’s vision of universal access to education, health care, employment, social services, and participation in the digital economy. The plan outlines how every Kansan can utilize quality, affordable, and reliable broadband service.
“As Kansans, we embrace challenges with determination and innovation,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “At its core, this plan supports economic development through the expansion of digital skills and access to new opportunities for individuals and businesses throughout the state.”
The vision and goals of the Digital Equity Plan were developed in consultation with the Digital Equity Advisory Council, representing various organizations and leaders from across the state. The Council’s extensive outreach, research, collaboration, and public input were instrumental in shaping the plan.
Residents, community organizations, businesses, and local authorities from throughout Kansas are encouraged to participate in the public comment period for the DE Plan. The document adheres to National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) guidelines and includes a description of each requirement and attachments.
“Our vision of digital equity is grounded in the lived experiences of Kansans who face barriers to broadband access,” Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, we are committed to providing equitable opportunities to all our residents.”
The Digital Equity Plan is the second of four primary documents focused on accessing and deploying federal funding, building upon the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan (FYAP). The public comment period will be open until November 2, 2023. To add a comment or to get more information about the plan, click here.
The Office of Broadband Development will have a webinar on the importance of public comments for the DE Plan from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3. To register, click here.
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Obituary of Linda Metcalf
Linda L. Metcalf, age 74, of Ft. Scott, passed away, Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at her home. She was born December 27, 1948, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Albert S. Cox, Sr. and Rosalie Smith Cox. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1966. Linda married Alvin W. Metcalf on November 10, 1964, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Linda worked for Key Industries before retiring from the State of Kansas SRS.
Linda enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to travel, enjoyed watching the Great British Bake-Off and Father Brown as well as caring for her many animals.
Linda is survived by a son; Clint Metcalf (Taira), Lawrence, KS. a daughter, Kristen Metcalf, Denver, CO; five grandchildren, Joseph Berkey, Keenan and Halle Gregory, and Amelia and Landon Metcalf; four great-grandchildren, Emerald, Etain, Eislinn, and Lydia Berkey; two brothers, Bill Cox ( Kelly), Ft. Scott, KS. and Robert Cox, Murphysboro, IL., three sisters, Vicki Parsons, Pittsburg, KS. Teresa Ahmadi (Reza), Houston, TX. and Cindy Larsen (Dan), Ft. Scott, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two grandsons, Kyle and Ian; a brother, Sonny Cox; two sisters, Jean Schroder and Sharon Baucom; and her beloved husband, Alvin W. Metcalf.
There was cremation.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 11:00 AM Friday, October 6, at the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:00 AM until leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 AM.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Lees Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Courthouse Closed for Columbus Day, Oct. 9
The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, October 9th in observance of Columbus Day.
HBCAT Newsletter for October
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Bo Co Commission Minutes of Sept. 25
September 25, 2023 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Mark McCoy, Emily Franks, Anne Dare, Kevin Davidson, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 9/18/23, approval of payroll totaling $338,719.44, and approval of accounts payable totaling $576,872.46. Jim seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clint Walker spoke of the recent passing of Bob Marshall and suggested the Commissioners lower the flag on Thursday to show respect for Mr. Marshall’s many years of service starting in the Marine Corps, serving the community and on various boards including FSCC, and his time as a Senator. Clint said Mr. Marshall would always talk to you no matter where you were and treated everybody with respect. Jim said they would take that into consideration.
Emily Franks, with Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips, PA, presented the 2022 fiscal year audit. Emily went page by page explaining the information contained in the audit. Since the county spent more than $750,000 in federal funds there were federal requirements that they were obligated to follow to report and test for the single federal audit. Emily said the county has implemented changes and now reconciles and balances the accounts monthly to be in compliance which was an issue listed in prior audits.
Susan Walker requested a 10-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to include all three Commissioners, Susan Walker, Jennifer Hawkins, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:00. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:00 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin asked to amend the agenda for an executive session for attorney client privilege.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to allow for an executive session for attorney client privilege. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under 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 to include all three Commissioners, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:07. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:07 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
The Commissioners discussed the health insurance benefits information that was presented last week while Nelson was out of town. Susan stated if they are going to leave the state pool they have to do so by October 1st. Jim asked if the opportunity to leave the state pool come up again next year and Susan said yes. Clifton said they will save more money in a year because we won’t have the penalty but they had a goal of having someone trained by now and $30,000-$40,000 would be burnt up quickly to hire a consultant to administer the plan. Clifton said personally he is in favor of leaving the state plan but it wouldn’t be much savings this year so we will probably have to keep what we have. Susan said the premiums for the state plan will not be changing next year. Nelson said it sounded like we don’t know enough to upset the apple cart with something as important as insurance. Clifton said the plan we would be going to is almost identical to what we have and after the penalty we would have approximately $58,000 in savings but we have no staff to administer at this point. Clifton said his goal would be to have the staff ready next year to administer. Jim said they have been talking of leaving the state plan for three years and asked why aren’t we ready after three years. Jim made a motion to leave the state employee health plan and go with a private carrier. Nelson seconded the motion with discussion. Nelson said our staff has indicated they can’t do it right now without hiring someone else and if we could do it without hiring someone else, he would be all for it. Clifton said we can point fingers but at the end of the day it would fall on Jennifer and Susan and in his opinion they have so much on their plate already they have been unable to do it. Clifton said it is not their fault why we are not ready. Jim said he is not blaming anybody but we should have done a better job in planning. Clifton said in his opinion they are doing everything they can in their power, we just had a good audit so thank you to Patty, Susan, and Jennifer. Clifton said the problems from they are dealing with from the past has kept them from other priorities that would benefit this county. Jim asked all in favor of his motion to leave the state employee health plan with the motion failing 1-2.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, said they lost a fence at the shop due to the windstorm over the weekend and there were several trees downed near the shop. Yale Road has been milled with only a one-foot strip left to be completed. Nelson said he heard about it all the way in South Korea. Eric said the company doing the work had a cancellation which is why the work was done on short notice. Eric said he has spoken to and emailed several residents in the area. Nelson said the concern of the residents is that we won’t get one mile of asphalt laid there next year. Eric said he can propose it and it is up to the Commissioners to make it happen during the hard surface road work session but he hopes to get to Eagle Road and one mile on Yale Road. Jim asked if it would be the east or west mile and Nelson said he would have to see what the residents want. Nelson asked when the work session would be for the hard surface roads and Eric said it is usually held in February or March. Nelson thanked Eric for responding to all the emails from the residents of Yale Road.
Justin Meeks asked for a 7-minute executive session for contracts. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships to include all three Commissioners, Eric Bailey, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:32. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:32 with action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson made a motion to allow the County Counselor to re-write the contract at Beth Quarry. Jim seconded the motion. Clifton abstained. The motion passed 2-1. Clifton stated he has no benefit from this as it is his mother’s land and contract. Jim said we ran out of room to do more blasts and that is why we have to do this.
Justin Meeks asked for a 20-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 20-minute executive session under 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 to include all three Commissioners, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:55. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:55 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session for 10 minutes under 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 and will return at 7:07. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. The County Clerk asked who would be included in the executive session so Clifton made an amendment to the motion to go into executive session to include all three Commissioners and County Counselor Justin Meeks. Nelson seconded the motion stating the 10-minutes would end at 6:08 now and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 7:08 with no action. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk
10-2-2023 Approved Date
Obituary of Danny Fewell
Danny Maurice Fewell, age 58, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Monday, October 2, 2023, at the Pittsburg Care & Rehab Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born January 29, 1965, in Ft. Scott, the son of Charles Eugene Fewell and Katherine Lee Nelson. Danny grew up in Ft. Scott and graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1983. He served for six years with the Kansas Army National Guard. Over the years, Danny had worked at Mid-Continental Restoration, Valu Merchandisers and Key Industries until ill health forced his retirement. Danny loved football and was an avid fan of the San Francisco ‘49ers. Danny never missed his sons’ football games or wrestling matches.
Survivors include his two sons, Zarek McKhale Fewell of Salina, Kansas and Cayman Lee Fewell of Ft. Scott. Also surviving are his mother, Katherine Hopkins of Ft. Scott, his father, Charles Fewell of Springfield, Missouri, two brothers, Shawn Brown and Brent Fewell and a sister, Becky Brown, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Rev. Earis B. Hopkins, Sr.
Rev. George Proctor will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 10th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or Care to Share 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.
Perry’s Open an RV Campground in Bronson
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry have added another business in Bronson.
Perry’s Park RV & Campground, opened October 1 at 702 Pine Street in Bronson, which is on Hwy. 54 that runs through the small town in western Bourbon County.
“We purchased a big chunk of land here in Bronson from the corner of Pine Street to the city limit signs on the west side of town, it’s a lot,” she said. “We can mow it for the rest of our lives and do nothing; instead, we wanted to do something to use the land.”
So they devised a plan.
“A few RV hookups made sense to us,” she said. “It will hopefully give back to our business for several years and generate tax revenue for the city and county and hopefully more visitors to the area.”
“We can only hope campers will stay here, buy their grocery goods here, and eat at our local Chicken Shak while in town, and for the hunters they can easily get their deer processed a block away at the Bronson Locker! It’s a win for all of us in my opinion.”
“We have a great little community that has good-hearted people,” she said. “Those people have friends and family that often visit the area for hunting, fishing, ATV or rock climbing, and with the new state park announcement in Iola and the construction on Hwy. 7 and of course the Wolfe Creek project, we anticipate the four little spots we have staying full… or at least that’s our hope.”
“We currently have 4 hookups for RV’s,” Kelly said. “Each hook-up has a sewer, water, and electric 30amp/50amp/110v at each site. Wi-Fi within walking distance. Trash pick up. Full grocery, beer, ice, deli, and diner on-site. Pull through parking. We are still in the process of adding the firepits, and picnic tables per site as well. The last portion will be the playground and BBQ Grill area for the campers.”
“We have nightly and monthly rates available,” she said.
The cost is $40 per night, $175 per week, and $475 per month.
“We have an ADA-compliant unisex bathroom inside of our storefront 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for the visitors to use if needed,” she said. We will eventually have a full coin laundry facility on-site for campers and the community. However, that will be a few years because we simply have a lot on our plate at this time.”
“We specifically worked with small businesses to build the RV Park to feed back into the local economy using Bandara Stone for our rock; Brandon Krebs with Rocking K Construction for groundwork, Matt Kelly with Kelly Electric for the hookups, Eric Stewart with C&S Contracting for our plumbing, and Adam Arnold and Cory Chandra with Deep Roots Lawn Care for all the final touches.”
To reserve a spot, contact the Kelly’s at: 620.939.4300.