Eric W. Bailey, became Bourbon County’s Public Works Director on Oct. 1. 2020, replacing Jim Harris, who retired and now serves as a Bourbon County Commissioner.

Baily’s duties are the public works budget, overseeing the daily operations of the road and bridge department to include rock crushing operations, the overlaying and maintenance of hard surface roads, maintenance of all county maintained gravel roads in Bourbon County, and oversite of the transfer station as well as the noxious weeds department.

He was the public works director for the City of Fort Scott for nine years.  In total, he worked 20 years with the City of Fort Scott.

Bailey also served four years in Bourbon County Environmental Services Technician/Geographical Information Services.

He attended schools K-12 in  USD 234, then earned an associate’s degree in  Applied Science in Environmental Water Technologies from Fort Scott Community College, then a  bachelors degree in Business Management from Friends University

His wife Malinda is the  Director of Children’s Services for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, their daughter Kelcie is a junior at Kansas Wesleyan University studying Elementary Education and middle daughter Kiran is a senior at Fort Scott High School, and son Kaleb a sophomore at FSHS.

Bailey has been involved in the community as a member of Community Christian Church, a member of the Youth Activities Team, and coached numerous youth recreation league teams and travel teams.

“I am really enjoying the job so far and all of the people that I am working with daily,” he said.  “Everyone has been very welcoming and I appreciate all of the support I have received.”