Monthly Archives: December 2024

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Meeting on December 23

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Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

Attachments:

County Commission 12.20.24

Securities Pledged

Nov 2024 Financials

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

December 23, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 12/19/2024
    2. Approval of November Financials
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
  3. Public Works
  4. REDI Request
  • Freeman Agreements
  • Sheriff Bill Martin-Financial Advisor Request
  1. Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  2. Redistricting
  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.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Margie Seaver

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Margie Elizabeth Seaver, age 73, of Fort Scott, KS. passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. Margie was born to Leslie and Mary (Johnston) Seaver, on January 3, 1951 in Fort Scott, where she resided most of her life. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1969. She worked the majority of her career in the insurance industry, retiring from Great West / CIGNA insurance. Margie loved spending time with her family, her plants, her cats, sewing and growing tomatoes and peonies.

She is survived by her children, Kimberley Denton and Casey Graham, Joshua and Melinda Seaver, both of Fort Scott; grandchildren, Zachary and Marissa Denton of Prairie Village, KS., Abigail Denton and Shane George of Monet, MO., Jennifer Denton and Chad Classen of Frontenac, KS., and Marlie Seaver of Fort Scott; great-grandson, Rowan Denton; siblings Roy and Joyce Seaver, of Phoenix, AZ., Joan Seaver of Fort Scott. Margie was preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 23rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Chapel Grove Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Mt. Carmel Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care, Kansas, Mercy Hospital, Youth

Kansas Renewal Institute Now Owns the Former Mercy Hospital.

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Mercy Hosptial Building is now owned by Kansas Renewal Institute.

Kansas Renewal Institute now owns the former Mercy Hospital.

Shanda Stewart, spokesperson for KRI, said that as of December 19, 2024, KRI purchased the building from Legacy Health and is its new owner.

“We look forward to Freeman Health System coming to Bourbon County and working closely with them,” she said. “We are currently serving 54 children all from the state of Kansas and have 110 employees.”

About KRI

Kansas Renewal Institute is dedicated to helping young people renew their lives and regain power over their mental health issues, according to their website. We understand that struggling does not equate to weakness or moral failing, and we are determined to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to heal and grow. Our behavioral health treatment center in Fort Scott, Kansas, offers comprehensive and personalized services for mental health treatment. To learn more about Kansas Renewal Institute, call us at 888.306.4718 today. We believe everyone deserves care and respect, and we are here to guide our clients on their path toward healing.

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Quarterly Community Dance Party’s Are Coming in 2025 to Fort Scott

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Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin came up with an idea to create a community dance party in the town’s Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street several times in 2025.

“I thought having a quarterly dance party with a disc jockey playing music would be a good idea to give our citizens and others from out of Bourbon County, the opportunity to come dance, listen to music, visit with friends, meet new friends, while eating/drinking from our local flavors.”

“We will be changing the type of music that will be played each quarter ranging from Disco to Country, to Rock and Roll,” he said. “We are planning on giving people the opportunity to dress up to the era of the music being played (an example would be dressing in 70’s Disco outfits or Rock and Roll outfits). The cover charge will be $5 per person.”

The first 2025 community dance is on Saturday, January 18 from 7 to 10 p.m.

This dance will be from every music era and genre.

Local restaurant, Aunt Toadies, will provide food and drinks for sale during the dance.

Kansas

Unmet Legal Needs in Rural Kansas

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Rural Justice Initiative Committee releases report and recommendations

TOPEKA—A committee formed two years ago to examine unmet legal needs in rural Kansas has released its findings and recommendations in a report to the Kansas Supreme Court.

The Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee was charged with studying the trend toward fewer attorneys living and working in rural Kansas and how it impacts rural Kansans who need legal services.

The report includes 10 recommendations to encourage new attorneys to live and work in rural Kansas, as well as to inspire K-12 students in rural areas to pursue careers in law.

“Every day, judges in rural communities witness the effects of too few attorneys, but this was the first attempt to document the depth and breadth of the problem,” Chief Justice Marla Luckert said. “I appreciate the committee’s extraordinary work, time, and effort to find ways we can change this trend.”

In its report, the committee said the problem of too few attorneys in rural Kansas has become a crisis. It notes that in 99 rural Kansas counties, the attorney-to-resident ratio is two or fewer per 1,000. The American Bar Association reports the national average is 3.9 active attorneys for every 1,000 residents.

Kansas has two counties that don’t have any attorneys at all. If you remove attorneys who are 60 and older, 87 counties would have one or fewer attorneys for every 1,000 residents. Nine more would have no attorneys at all.

About 79% of all active attorneys live in five urban counties—Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte. The counties are also home to nearly half the state’s residents. This leaves about 1,400 active attorneys to serve 1.3 million rural Kansans in 100 counties.

Justice K.J. Wall, who chaired the committee, said the situation is even more stark than what the data show.

“We need to keep in mind some rural attorneys do not or cannot offer legal services,” Wall said. “Some are judges or prosecutors and some work for government or private businesses. These attorneys are not available to provide legal services to someone in the community, although they are represented in the data.”

This lack of attorneys strains the court system. It requires judges to look outside their community to find an attorney to represent a party who is entitled to have one appointed by the court.

Judges are also faced with a growing number of people who act as their own counsel, which can be out of necessity. Judges and court employees carefully guide these unrepresented parties through legal processes while exercising great care to not give legal advice.

Rural Kansans who need an attorney and have the resources to hire one can be forced to look outside their community, which can increase their costs.

What’s needed, Wall said, is coordinated action to make it easier and even enticing for new attorneys to live and practice in rural areas.

Among the strategies the committee recommends are tuition-reimbursement incentives for prospective attorneys to attend a Kansas law school and practice in rural Kansas after becoming an attorney. Another is a student loan repayment program for attorneys living and practicing in rural Kansas.

“There isn’t one solution to this multifaceted problem, but rather a number of strategies that could work together to reverse a long-term trend,” Wall said. “The recommendations are well-reasoned and attainable, and they reflect the committee’s combined understanding of this issue.”

Before developing its recommendations, the committee surveyed rural Kansas attorneys and conducted listening sessions with rural attorneys and law students at Kansas’ two laws schools. The committee also researched how other states are responding to this issue, including through programs highlighted by the National Center for State Courts Rural Justice Collaborative.

The 35-member committee included representatives from all three branches of state government, the legal and business communities, law schools, and organizations that serve victims of sexual or domestic violence.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

www.kscourts.gov

Bourbon County

County Commission changes meeting day, votes to create community involvement group

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Bourbon County Commissioner meetings will be held on Monday evenings at 5:30, starting after December 19, per the commission’s vote in the Dec. 12 meeting.

Commissioner Clifton Beth made the motion to create a community involvement group of three to four people headed by Michael Hoyte. Motion was approved. (see recording 41:14)

Several citizens attending the meeting expressed gratitude that a time for public comments had been added back into the County Commissioner meeting.

Anne Dare expressed concern about the county’s relationship with Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), asking, “Do we have a current 2024 contract with REDI? When was the last contract that we had with REDI?”

Commissioner Beth answered, “I don’t know that we ever had one,” Explaining that the county had agreed in 2020 to fund REDI for three years running from 2021-2023, with the idea that they (REDI) would be self-sufficient thereafter.

Dare referenced a request by Mark McCoy to the county for $75,000 for services rendered and asked if a detailed bill had been submitted. Beth replied that it had not.

Referring to a news release stating that REDI had brought in $2 million in projects and major manufacturing developments to the county, Dare asked for “quantifiable, existing results,” and expressed concerns from the community that REDI is not being monitored and held accountable to do the development work they requested payment for.

“The overall feeling is that REDI has had their shot and it might be time to really create a separation from REDI and let the new commission figure out what that needs to look like going forward.”

Michael Hoyte came forward to ask, “Where are we at with the ballot initiative of going from 3 to 5 commissioners? Do we need a citizens committee or coalition to move that forward?” He reminded the commissioners that the voters spoken in the November election, voting to change Bourbon County from three to five  commissioner districts  and then to have elections to seat people there.

Commissioner Brandon Wisenhunt replied, “We are actually working on redistricting the map,” based off the last census. This redistricting will be submitted to the state for approval, then a special election will be held.

Pam and John Spear Senior expressed concerned about the closing of a road near their home on 105th St. south of Maple by fencing being installed by an adjacent property owner. The county assured them that the road would not be closed because the county has a 50-foot easement for their road and access to an adjacent field is required by a third property owner. No further action can be taken until the survey is completed and accepted by the county.

During the monthly report by Eric Bailey, county public works director, Beth addressed the issue of the county and cities “getting along” said that the county doesn’t have the manpower and equipment to do the street repairs and maintenance for cities in Bourbon County, “I hope and I pray that the new county commission doesn’t push for Road and Bridge to do a ton of work for the city when we are … here for the county.”

County employee who used to work for the City of Fort Scott explained that in 2009 the city manager laid off the city’s asphalt crew and has been in a maintenance mode since that time.

Commissioner Beth reiterated that without a great expenditure for manpower and equipment, the county cannot take on city road repairs and maintenance.

Bailey said he expects his department to complete the FEMA-funded repair throughout the county by early January 2025, explaining that most of those repairs have already been done. He mentioned that they haven’t received any funding from FEMA yet, but the paperwork is in and “they have been good to work with.”

He went on to mention that the county is moving out of Thomas quarry and has a blast planned for Jan. 7 at Blake quarry, weather permitting.

The county’s snow equipment is ready to go.

 

 

Opinion

The Best Gift of Christmas by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:2-5

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, his entry into the world was predicted by Isaiah. We who celebrate Christmas, focusing on our exquisitely decorated trees, our lavish presents, enough food to feed our local community, and perhaps even our yearly trip to a church service are not exactly what Jesus had in mind when he entered this sin-filled world.

He came to be what we need to glorify Him. Perhaps that’s why the details of his birth are what really matter during this holiday season.

Christ was not born under a beautifully decorated tree near a fireplace but in a feeding trough. The first smells to enter his nostrils were not cinnamon potpourri or a freshly roasted turkey but animal manure. He came not to receive gifts but to be our gift, yet we seem to ignore that as we spend hours preparing a feast (that is devoured in 30 minutes) or go into credit card debt for gifts people probably don’t even need.

We forget Jesus’ importance.

We forget how he suffered for us.

And suffer he did. Matthew 20:28 tells us that Jesus came to serve. He did that by rescuing us from ourselves, from our sins, starting at his birth.

Jesus willingly left Heaven to come to earth, not to live in a palace, tended to by servants, but to live as we would never choose to live, to pay the penalty for our sins and offer us freedom and peace and eternity with him in Heaven.

Jesus did not show up for a celebration. He chose to suffer to be our savior.

So, on whom do we focus when we revel in the gift side of Christmas?

God loves when we serve, not just at Christmas but daily, and He provides those opportunities in some crazy, simple ways.

Yesterday, for example, Dave and I were driving home from church when we noticed an elderly man on a side street, struggling to catch his dog. The more the man limped toward the dog, the further the animal ran from him. As we passed the street, I told Dave that I thought we should turn around and see if we could help.

By that time, the old man had given up and was headed back up the road, clearly struggling to walk. His runaway pooch was at the end of the street, which is where I got out of the car and yelled, asking the man if this was his dog. It was. The closer I walked toward the animal, the more it retreated, then stopped, waiting for me to move towards it, ultimately ending up beside the man who thanked us over and over.

I said, “Merry Christmas,” and we left. Such a simple thing.

I pray that this Christmas, our celebration of what Jesus willingly did for us will become a festival of overflowing joy, not so we get caught up in all the worldly acts of craziness surrounding it but so we can pass on to others our gifts of service. Our way of honoring our King.

Area News

Stay Warm and Save Money: Tips to Lower Your Energy Bills this Winter

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As the chill of winter sets in, Kansas Gas Service is dedicated to helping customers stay warm and save money. With a few no-cost or low-cost energy-saving tips, families can reduce their energy use without sacrificing comfort.

“Making small adjustments to save on energy consumption is easier than customers think. With simple tips and tools, Kansans can use less energy, which lowers bills and keeps more money in their pockets,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of Operations at Kansas Gas Service.

5 Easy Steps to Save Money and Energy This Winter

Customers can take these easy steps to reduce energy use and help manage their winter bills:

  • Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows: Apply weather-stripping or caulk to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.
  • Reduce the Temperature on Your Water Heater: Set your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the “warm” setting.
  • Change or Clean Filters: A clean filter on your furnace can lower your energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
  • Install Foam Gaskets on Switches and Outlets: Electrical switches and outlets can account for up to 10% of your home’s energy loss.
  • Change the Rotation of Ceiling Fans: Hot air rises, so reverse your ceiling fans to a clockwise rotation to push warm air downward.

Applying these tips can help reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills while keeping your home comfortable during the winter months. For more information, visit kansasgasservice.com/energytips.

 

 

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state in terms of customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

Bourbon County, Health Care

Ruritan Organizes Remembrance of Local Veterans

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From left, Matt Crystal, speaker; Mark Warren, Ruritan spokesman, and Pastor Mary DeWitt. Submitted photo.

The Uniontown Ruritan organized a wreath-laying event at the town’s cemetery on December 13.

The ceremony honored 85 veterans of U.S. Wars, dating back to the Civil War, by placing a wreath on their graves and calling their names out for remembrance.

Matt Crystal, with the local VFW, spoke to the attendees.

Students from Uniontown High School assisted Ruritan in the ceremony.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Signs Agreement With a Solar Energy Company

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USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

At the recent USD234, Fort Scott School District Board of Education meeting, an agreement was signed with Kingbird Solar Energy LLC that will benefit the district for years.

Kingbird Solar Energy LLC is a Delaware limited liability company.

Kingbird Solar Energy approached the district regarding the agreement, Terry Mayfield, Assistant Superintendent said.

“Kingbird Solar intends to construct and operate a solar energy project in Bourbon County,”  Mayfield said.  “According to Kansas Statute, property used to produce and generate electricity using renewable energy resources (including solar) is exempt from all property or ad valorem taxation for a period of 10 years.  The developer, as a new member of the local business community, wishes to demonstrate good citizenship by providing financial contributions to the district during the 10-year exemption.”

Terry Mayfield. Submitted photo.

 

“The financial contribution begins with the commencement of construction by the developer,” Mayfield said. “There will be one initial payment of $300 per megawatt AC upon commencement of construction and for the following 9 years there will be an annual contribution of $450 per megawatt AC.”

 

“It is estimated that the contribution could be as much as $135,000 per year,” Mayfield said.

“It’s my understanding that for the 10-year exemption period that no taxes will be assessed on these solar farms, however, the developers still wish to make a financial contribution. Once that exemption period is over, the solar farms then become taxable and local entities would then receive tax revenue for any solar farms that are located within that entity’s boundaries (county, school district, etc.”

 

“The district is agreeing to accept the financial contribution from them,” Mayfield said. “By accepting this contribution, the district does not express support for or opposition to the establishment of solar farms in Bourbon County. The district remains neutral on this matter. By remaining neutral, the district can avoid taking a side in a debate that might involve conflicting viewpoints.”

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Has A Banner Year

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December 16, 2024

Vol. 12

A Banner Year: Celebrating Record Visitors in 2024

Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states. On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.

The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany, who was visiting with her sister, Samantha Thomas from Webb City, MO, shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.

Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

Brittany Ward (left) of Fayetteville, AR, was the 15,000 visitor this year at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. She is pictured with her sister, Samantha Thomas, of Webb City, MO.

Celebrating Excellence in Education

LMC’s CEO, Norm Conard, recently traveled to Louisiana to join a momentous celebration—the announcement of the 3,000th recipient of the Milken Educator Award! Presented by the Milken Family Foundation, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding educators across the country. Norm, a proud recipient of the award in 1992, continues to embody its spirit through his lifelong dedication to education and innovation.

We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the Milken Family Foundation and applaud the incredible impact of exceptional educators nationwide!

LMC Fellow DC Cockrell Decorates The White House for the Holidays

Darrion “DC” Cockrell, 2023 LMC Fellow and 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year, was invited to The White House Holiday Reception this season! Adding to the honor, DC was also asked to be part of the team that decorated The White House for the holidays, contributing his creativity and spirit to this time-honored tradition.

Reflecting on the experience, DC shared:
“Education is the gift that keeps on giving. Because I’ve been able to prioritize education and embrace my love for being an educator, I was honored to be invited to decorate the house of the people—The White House. I will forever be grateful for this incredible experience!”

DC’s passion for service and community continues to inspire us, and we are proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement with him!

LMC Receives Kansas Tourism Development Grant

We are excited to announce that the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has been awarded a Tourism Attraction Development grant, presented by Bridget Jobe, Director of the Kansas Tourism Department. This generous support will enable us to continue sharing the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes while enhancing the experience for visitors from near and far.

We’re proud to contribute to Kansas’s vibrant cultural and educational tourism landscape and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our center. Thank you, Kansas Tourism, for helping us make a difference!

Holiday Magic Shines Bright at the 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks was a resounding success, drawing locals and visitors from across the region—and even out of state—to downtown Fort Scott. This year’s celebration featured enchanting horse-drawn carriage rides, an ice-skating rink, live music, and plenty of shopping to kick off the holiday season. The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes welcomed numerous visitors who enjoyed exploring its inspiring exhibits, while the beautifully decorated Lowell Milken Park served as a highlight of the downtown festivities. The event was filled with laughter, joy, and community spirit, making it a perfect start to the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄

✨ Christmas magic lit up Lowell Milken Park as families and friends enjoyed the holiday cheer with dazzling lights and a festive movie night during Christmas on the Bricks. 🎄🎥❄️

Your Generosity Fuels Our Mission

Consider a Personalized Brick in Unsung Heroes Park!

For just $100, you can create a unique and enduring tribute to honor a hero in your life. By purchasing a brick, you not only create a lasting memorial but also support the Lowell Milken Center’s mission to share the remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes throughout history.

Your purchase is tax-deductible, as the Lowell Milken Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll promptly email you a printable certificate, making it a hassle-free and meaningful gift option.

Secure your brick today by visiting the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, or by submitting this form: https://bit.ly/brick_form. For more information, contact LMC at 620-223-1312.
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