The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
January 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Bourbon County Commission Meeting
Three commissioners attended the meeting: David Beerbower, Mika Milburn, and Greg Motley.
During the opening of the meeting, Commissioner Mika Milburn made several modifications to the agenda, including removing the discussion of courthouse space.
After the public hearing for the vacation of a road, in which the owner of the property on the road asked that it be vacated as the county had done nothing with it in the 15 years she had lived there, Resolution 08-26 was approved.
After approval of the minutes from the Jan. 12 meeting and the consent agenda and tax corrections, the citizen comments portion of the meeting began.
Citizen Comments
Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds, addressed the commission. Before she began her comments, vice-chairman Beerbower reminded her that her comments had to be to the commission as a whole and not to a specific commissioner.
Holdridge asked what statute that was under and Beerbower said it was part of what he learned in commissioner training.
Holdridge said that without a statute she would challenge it. Beerbower gave her three minutes.
Milburn interupted Holdridge and asked for a break.
Beerbower announced a three minute recess.
After three minutes, Milburn returned and then left again on a phone call.
Beerbower then told Holdridge that they had had this discussion several times, and in the last meeting, the board announced the plan to look into what spaces are available in the courthouse and take input from each department to divide it up appropriately.
He said he has heard several different claims for dispatch’s old space, but the commission has not made any decisions yet.
Beerbower said they were not going to discuss it tonight.
Milburn returned and said that the county’s counselor, Bob Johnson, advised to remove the public comment.
Holdridge said she would not leave and would stay and talk.
Beerbower asked her to leave and she again refused. He said they were having a county commissioner meeting, not a register of deeds meeting.
Milburn then moved to adjourn the meeting , Beerbower seconded, and it was ended. Motley did not vote.
The commission did not complete the remainder of their agenda including:
1. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) – Motley
2. Department Updates
a. Payroll update – Milburn-Kee
b. Inventory – County Clerk
c. Commission Minutes – County Clerk
d. County Clerk Procedures
e. 2025 End of Year Financials – County Clerk
3. New Business
a. Strategic Planning – Motley
b. Commission Calendar – Motley
c. EOC Access
4. Create Agenda for Next Meeting
5. Commission Comments
Marsha Ann White passed away on November 22, 2025 at her residence in Belton, MO. Marsha was born Juloy 24, 1944 to the late Thomas Beauford and the late Lora Irene New of Mound City. Born in Fort Scott to a farm family of three brothers and five sisters, Marsha was very much a caring and compassionate soul. She was know for her warm heart, wittiness, and the kindness she showed to everyone she met. Marsha graduated from Mound City High School and later lived in Pleasanton, Olathe, and Melton, MO.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers (JB and Wilbur), and two sisters (Alberta Murray and Janet Keating). She is survived by her children: Bobby Smith of Belton, MO; Danny (Jenny) Smith of Olathe; and Mark (Jessica) White of Olathe, along with her six dear grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; siblings: Charolote Dunavan of Pleasanton, Charles (Dorothy) New of Kansas City, Sandra (Bobby) Snow of Pleasanton, Joetta (Darin) Marti of Manhattan, and brother-in-law Ed Keating (Janet) of Bucyrus. Additionally, there is a long list of nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory always.
A Celebration of Life is being planned of immediate family in the spring.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The Bourbon County Commission gained one new member this week, with another on the way. Citizens of Bourbon County had voted to change the county from a three-commissioner district to a five-commissioner one. In the fall of 2025, Greg Motley was elected to district 4 and Mika Milburn to district 5. Milburn was already serving as the old district 3 commissioner, which lead to an interesting situation.
Oaths of Office
Prior to taking the oath of office to serve as commission of the new fifth district, Commission Mika Milburn officially resigned her position as commissioner of the third district of Bourbon County.
County Clerk Susan Walker administered the oath of office to Greg Motley as commissioner for district 4, and Mika Milburn for district 5.
Chair of the Bourbon County Republican party, Kaety Bowers thanked Motley for his willingness to serve and Milburn for her service in 2025. She then read an excerpt from President Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech.
The Republican Party will appoint another commissioner to serve for district 3. Those who live in the district and want to serve in this way should contact Bowers.
Reorganization of Board
Appoint Chairman: 2025 Chair David Beerbower nominated Samuel Tran. Milburn seconded and the nomination passed, Tran abstaining.
After discussion the commissioners will serve as follows:
Beerbower serves on the SEK Mental Health and SEK Health Department boards.
Milburn serves on the Fair Board and Soil Conservation Board.
Motley will serve on the SEK Regional Planning Commission and the Juvenile Detention Center board.
Tran serves on the SEK Mental Health Board, Bourbon County Senior Citizens, and SEK Area on Aging.
When the new commissioner is appointed for district 3, he or she will take board positions as well.
Liaison Assignments
David Beerbower: Public Safety including EMS, Sheriff/Corrections, Emergency Management
Samuel Tran: Public Works
Mika Milburn: Courthouse
Greg Motley: Finance
Motley said his vision is to get the commission off to an early start and keep them on schedule regarding creating a budget for 2027. He said he would want to identify the county’s priorities via work sessions early in the year and then put numbers to them closer to the end of the year.
Motley pointed out that tying the county’s priorities to its budget helps keep continuity of purpose within the county.
Beerbower suggested putting the fifth commissioner onto an economic development and grant writing liaison possition.
Motley then suggested that he work on the grant writing and economic development and the courthouse liaison position get split into two parts, one to deal with the building and the departments it contains and the other to liaise with the vendors who serve the county.
Milburn said she isn’t clear how to divide those positions out right now.
Tran suggested they keep everything the same for now, adding economic development with the new commission.
Milburn formalized the decision with a motion and the motion carried.
Public Comments
Mark McCoy is the community emergency response team (CERT) leader in Bourbon County. He spoke with the commission about the importance of having an Emergency Manager in place. Reasons a manager is needed include: emergencies don’t happen on a shared schedule; preparedness is a full-time mindset, not an occasional task; liabilities and legal exposure; the manager has the ability to lead, guide, follow, and assist throughout the county. Disasters don’t wait. Volunteers need official plans and connections with entities facilitated by the Emergency Manager.
Beerbower said that the part-time position of Bourbon County Emergency Manager is posted on the county website.
County Clerk Susan Walker showed the commission the program HeyGov for making meeting agendas. She demonstrated it for the commission. It creates the minutes from the YouTube video as well as linking to the county’s website. The program allows the commissioners to work on the agenda without violating the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA). It can also be used by other boards in the county such as the building commission. The cost is about $1,100 per year.The commission voted to purchase the program.
Old Business Handbook Review
Beerbower said he received his copy of the revised handbook the day of the meeting at noon. Motley said he hadn’t received a copy yet.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Treasurer, spoke to the commission, expressing concerns with several parts of the handbook including the handling of complaints, who qualifies as full-time, definitions of longevity, vacation and leave policy, and dress code.
Tran said he wanted to have another work session before approving the handbook. Milburn said they received the changes everyone requested last week.
Sheriff Bill Martin joined the conversation, saying elected officials should have an opportunity to see the changes before the commission votes on the new handbook. He said that military leave and take-home cars aren’t addressed. He was concerned with the time crunch the commissioners put on the other elected officials regarding their feedback on the proposed new handbook.
Milburn said that the process of updating the handbook was started in 2022 and never completed.
Terry with EMS said that the department heads haven’t seen the updated copy yet.
Susan Walker, County Clerk, said that the department heads should be in on the discussion to make changes to the handbook. “Right now, I don’t feel like we have a voice,” she said.
Beerbower and Motley both said that a work session with the other elected officials and department heads seemed like a good idea.
Tran said that a meeting will not lead to a 100% consensus, as we don’t live in a perfect world. The handbook is intended to be a guide, but is not written in stone.
“You’re not going to get everything you want,” he said.
He then moved to have a special meeting to include elected officials and department heads on Jan. 13 at 4:30 with a 2 hour limit.
“It’s going to be better than what we had and we’re going to keep improving upon it,” said Tran of the upcoming new handbook.
New Business
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
The commission appointed its executive assistant, Laura Krom, as the KPRS designated agent, with Mika Milburn as her alternate.
Kansas Department of Labor and Unemployment
Milburn said that the unemployment claims need to go to the HR department, Dr. Cohen, who will contact their department heads. This only applies to employees of the county working for the commission, not those working for other elected officials.
Disposition of Body K.S.A. 22a-215
Susan Walker, County Clerk, said that no next of kin could be found for an individual who died in Bourbon County last summer, so the county paid for the body’s cremation. Next of kin have since been found, but are on a fixed income and have asked for a waiver of the policy that they should pay cremation costs in order to recover the body.
The commission was in favor of waiving the fee.
November 2025 Financials
Susan Walker said she and the county treasurer have run into issues with past entries that were made in the county’s books. They will have a quarterly report ready at the end of Jan. The county’s audit is the last week of February.
Build Agenda for Following Meeting
Motley asked to plan to set work sessions for the budget and strategic planning in the first quarter of the year.
Milburn also asked to add a first quarter meeting with the City of Fort Scott.
Commission Comments
“I’m going to need each and every one of you to assist me as I chair the helm,” said Tran. He then thanked Beerbower for his work as chairman in 2025 and Milburn for her work on the commission as well. He welcomed Greg Motley aboard and adjourned the meeting.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
After approving the agenda, minutes, and payroll, the commission opened with public comments.
Derek Ranes: Noise Complaint
Ranes handed out an official document to the commission to voice his complaint to EvoTech, and a document of the decibel readings he was getting at his house.
When he asked when the resolution would go into effect, Commissioner David Beerbower said they would follow the proper procedure per the new noise resolution, including a letter to EvoTech, followed by further action as necessary.
County Clerk Susan Walker said that the resolution hadn’t been published in the newspaper yet, but it will go into effect after publication.
Lora Holdridge – Register of Deeds
Holdridge spoke with the commission about the return of property to the county from the hospital, per a previous agreement. She said that the current county counselor had contacted them numerous times with no result. She then created the deed, mailed it to the hospital, and got it back within a week.
It is now “of record,” giving back to EMS the east building next to the EMS that they have been waiting for for more than two years.
“I know that it’s not my responsibility to do some of that but after two years it’s time to stand up and do what needed to be done two years ago,” she said.
County Counselor Bob Johnson congratulated her on getting the deed done.
Holdridge addressed Commissioner Samuel Tran’s stated desire to build a team amongst the county departments. She said they are a team, but the current and previous commissions have made it hard for the county officials and department heads to work with them.
Holdridge also brought up a judgement against Waldrop Wireless. The county paid for a tower and repeater but the company didn’t provide the repeater, and the county was awarded a judgement as a result. Half of the money for the repeater was paid from the Register of Deed’s tech fund. She asked the commission to work to get the money back.
Holdridge also wanted to formally address concerns regarding space allocations within the courthouse and actions that have interfered with the execution of essential public duties. She said that on multiple occasions both the Register of Deeds and the County Clerk have advised the commission that they need to have dedicated space to properly house essential equipment to perform the required functions of their offices. This has still not been adequately addressed.
Commission Mika Milburn moved Holdridge from Room 12, changing the locks.
Milburn advised Holdridge not to continue to conversation in the public meeting, saying that things were taken from that room that shouldn’t have been taken, including an IT computer.
Holdridge said there was no problem until Shane started working in her space.
Beerbower said that the commission will discuss the use of space in the courthouse in a future meeting, but the details of untangling the current situation cannot be handled in this meeting. He also supported Milburn as the commission’s liaison to offices housed in the courthouse.
Milburn told Holdridge the conversation was over.
Smith
Mr. Smith spoke to the commission about his concern regarding the proposed resolution for designating Bourbon County as a Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ), questioning the county’s ability to pay it and the legality of an irrevocable resolution.
Susan Walker said that the resolution is created by the Department of Commerce. It allows rural businesses to partner with the state to get help paying student loans of individuals they many hire. Section seven shows the county allocates $0 per year, which County Counselor Bob Johnson said relieves it of any liability. He said the county is just a conduit for the program and he doesn’t have any concerns about it based on past experience. He did offer to talk to the state and get a report from him.
Smith also addressed the 125 plan, saying that it was being pushed before the department heads and elected officials have had a chance to review it, “Putting the cart before the horse again.”
Smith is concerned that the county is now doing things to support television shows if they approve the signing of a letter of support for the Lawrence Welk Show. He called it a waist of time.
Ben Hall- Discussion Bitcoin Mining & Evotech
Hall owns property at 80th and Willow Road. Evotech approached him this summer about leasing a gas well on his property. They didn’t want to pay what he was asking.
The well has not been used since 2014 and the previous owner asked the state to plug it.
Last week a rural water department employee who was working on Hall’s property met a contractor for Evotech who claimed he had the right to access the property. Hall spoke to him on the phone and told him not to trespass on the property. He then made a report to the sheriff’s department about it. The sheriff’s department had already heard from the Evotech contractor, who had presented him with paperwork saying Evotech has rights to the well. That was the first Hall had heard of it.
He wanted to make the commission aware of what he called the bullying and harassment that EvoTech is committing. He lives one mile east of the other EvoTech gas well and cryptomine.
He also mentioned a statute that says that it is illegal to run machinery from direct pressure from a gas well. It must go into a tank or regulator first.
Bob Johnson suggested Hall look up the original lessee and see if they had allocated the lease to someone else. He said a simple affidavit of non-production does not always cancel a lease. The original term of the lease may affect that. He also suggested Hall talk to a lawyer.
The commission then conducted three executive sessions, one for attorney/client privilege and two for non-elected personnel. They returned to session with action: The commission voted to allow Milburn the authority to work with the newly hired executive assistant to get her set up in her new job.
Old Business
Handbook Review
Dr. Cohen, Bourbon County HR, said he had received only comments from Public Works regarding the handbook.
One had to do with wearing shorts. Tran said he wanted them to be safe when operating heavy equipment, and doesn’t approve of shorts.
Regarding take-home vehicles, Tran said the director and assistant director of public works should take home county cars so they can answer calls when off-duty.
Jennifer Hawkins said she submitted her questions and suggestions to Cohen’s office on Dec. 24. She pointed out some spelling and formatting errors.
Susan Walker said that several departments sent her their suggestions and she forwarded them to Dr. Cohen. The commission asked her to resend the suggestions, including the commissions in the message.
Hawkins also said there’s not bereavement or jury duty leave in the manual.
Set Public Hearing Date for Road Closure – Daniels
Date was set for Jan. 26th
Sanitation Violation Update – County Counselor Bob Johnson
KDHE emailed the county counselor and he spoke with the county sheriff and county attorney. There’s a reluctance to pursue criminal charges.
“What we can do is file a violation of the KAR based on the filings,” he said. He has heard from the owner and will contact her again. Civil court is the route the county should take.
New Business
Website – approval of access – Milburn-Kee
Approved adding the new executive assistant as an administrator to the county’s website.
Milburn said the new assistant, Laura Krom, is doing very well and diving right in. “So she’s doing wonderful,” said Milburn.
Letter of Support Request (Scott Wheeler)
Wheeler is attempting to get congress to acknowledge the contribution of the Lawrence Welk Show.
Beerbower expressed admiration for Wheeler’s mission.
The commission voted to sign the letter.
Resolution 01-26 Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Document, allowing county employee benefits to be deducted pre-tax
Susan Walker, County Clerk, said the county offers insurance benefits to retirees. Historically, retirees have used dental and vision, but not health insurance through the county because of the high cost of health insurance. They are only eligible until they can receive Medicare.
The county designated Laura Krom as administrator of the plan.
Resolution 02-26 Holidays and Paydays
Beerbower voted against it because he wanted a separate resolution for the landfill employees.
Resolution 03-26 GAAP Waiver
Tran asked why they need a waiver. Walker said that many municipalities don’t use GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices) because it is cost-prohibitive.
Greg Motley said that GAAP accounting would be worthless to the county.
Resolution was approved.
Resolution 04-26 Designation of Depositories and Official Publication Carrier
Resolution was approved.
Resolution 05-26 ROZ participation
Rural Opportunity Zone participation is a regular part of county business.
Resolution was approved.
Resolution 06-26 Meeting Date, Location and Time
Resolution was approved.
Resolution 07-26 Moratorium on Industrial Development
This moratorium came at the request of the planning commission. It would put new development on hold for 180 days and allow for an extension as needed. It would disallow any new development of utility scale power, crypto mining, data centers, or waste disposal operations. It’s not without possible contest, but it’s not uncommon.
Does not pertain to Tennyson Creek Solar LLC, Tennyson Creek Solar 2 LLC, or Hinton Creek Solar LLC.
Carolyn Sue Wenderott, age 89, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Credo Senior Living in Fort Scott.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Tuesday, December 30th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Continuation of yesterday’s county commission story
Sanitation Issue – Milburn-Kee
Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee has been working with the county counselor to get the information needed to the county attorney so that appropriate action can be taken regarding a residence with sewage seeping into the lake.
She also noted that in the Dec. 20, 2024 county commission meeting, the county attorney at the time handed this information off to the chairman of the board when he resigned his position. Neither she nor Commissioner David Beerbower knows what happened to the work that was done by the previous county attorney.
Commissioner Samuel Tran asked if the homeowner had been notified of the problem. Milburn-Kee said that a letter was sent April 5, 2024 notifying of a $200 per day fine.
Parliamentarian Kaety Bower said that the county had the tank pumped a few years ago, at the taxpayers’ expense, but it hasn’t been maintained since then, and now there’s human waste running into the lake and puddling in driveways.
Tran expressed frustration that it had not been followed up on. Milburn-Kee said that the county lacks a policy and proceedure that would lead to a satisfactory conclusion at this time.
Tran asked how the county would go about condemning the building, if it becomes necessary. He also suggested that the commission give the county assessor the authority to ticket violators of the only code in the county, which is the sewage code.
Beerbower proposed that the county pump the tank to give them time to get the problem fixed. Bowers said it would take 4 weeks to fill back up.
Elevator Estimate KSA 19-214
It will cost approximately $200,000 to bring the courthouse elevator up to requirements. The elevator is currently out of compliance. The current projected start date for the project is the end of January, 2026.
Tran and Beerbower both expressed that they want to see the statement of work from the contractor so the commission is aware of what is involved in the job.
The courthouse maintenance supervisor, who has gathered the bid and information for the work needed, is leaving his position at the end of 2025.
Noise Resolution – Beerbower
Beerbower presented the commission with an updated noise resolution. The county counselor said that it should be handed over to the planning commission.
The revised resolution has EPA decibel level guidelines: decibel levels are to be no greater than 70dB for a 24 hour period, or greater than 55dB outdoors from 7a-10p near sensitive areas (residences), or 45dB indoors 7a-10p in sensitive areas, and no greater than 45 dB outdoors overnight (10p-7a). These measurements, recorded within 75 feet of the source, will be considered in violation. Enforcement shall be by the Bourbon County Commission or its designee. Violations will result in: notice of violation, demand for corrective action, citation, or all three. Fines can be up to $500, and each day in violation is considered a new offense.
Beerbower then moved that the commission adopt the resolution, numbered 50-25.
Milburn pointed out that there is already state code that the commission hasn’t been able to enforce and questioned the county’s ability to enforce a new ordinance without a procedure for follow-through.
Resolution passed, Milburn voting against.
Planning Commission Moratorium – Beerbower
In the last meeting of the planning commission, they reintroduced that they would like a moratorium halting all other entities from coming in to Bourbon County and starting up to allow them a year to develop a comprehensive plan and zoning for the unincorporated areas of Bourbon County.
The temporary moratorium would include: utility level, power generation and storage systems, including but not limited to wind, solar, battery energy storage systems, nuclear fission, crypto mining, data centers, and waste disposal.
Tran told the commission they did a good job at their meeting. He had no issue with the moratorium. Milburn-Kee said she didn’t have an issue either.
Beerbower said the moratorium would give the planning commission time to get its feet under it and make a plan.
He moved to have the county counselor draft a moratorium as directed by the planning commission, with a deadline of Jan. 5, 2026.
Motion passed unanimously
New Business
Budget Amendment (Need Date and Time)
County Clerk Susan Walker said that two funds require a budget amendment at this time: the Law Enforcement Fund and the County Sales Tax Fund.
The amendment for the Law Enforcement Fund will take it from $2.2 million to $2.6 million, and the County Sales Tax from $926,935 to $1,633,692.
Commissioners Beerbower and Tran are unavailable for the budget amendment meeting before the end of the year.
Without the amendment, the county will have two budget violations in its regular audit.
Sheriff Martin got Bern Hart, his department’s financial advisor, on the phone to address the commission.
Hart said that the Sheriff’s 2025 budget did not take past costs or the trends of those costs into account.
“The Sheriff’s over budget because he wasn’t given enough budget for 2025 to operate,” said Hart.
Milburn said her expectation is for departments to stay within their budget, rather than levy more mills and “give everyone what they want.”
Sheriff Martin and County Clerk Susan Walker were at the table for the discussion. They both left to have a discussion outside of the open meeting.
When they came back, Sheriff Martin said that the three offices the county must support reasonably to operate: the Sheriff, the County Attorney, and the District Court.
Hart pointed out that all the sheriff’s operations come from one fund. He also said that his department raised $395,000 from housing inmates.
“The sheriff’s brought in more than enough money to cover the budget amendment that he’s asking for,” he said. “He’s not asking for any more money. He’s just asking to use the money that he’s already raised.”
Susan Walker said the budget in question was made while she was CFO. She didn’t make the decisions independently, but in conjunction with the commission at the time.
“We are at an impasse on the budget amendment,” said Beerbower. No further action was taken.
Handly told the commission that several citizens have contacted him with concerns about the condition of Soldier Road, which has been in poor condition since 2023.
“I apologize for not bringing a solution to the table, but we’ve got a real problem with that road. If you’ve traveled it, you know what I’m talking about,” he said.
It has standing water and reverse crowning and takes a lot of heavy logging traffic from Missouri.
“I believe they’re doing the best they can with the training that they have and the equipment they’ve been working with,” he said of the county’s public works department.
His goal is to get it on the radar and begin to have a conversation about it with the county.
Dustin from Public Works acknowledged that the road does need some attention and receives a lot of truck traffic which is causing damage.
Benefit District – Dustin
Kenny, who was out sick, wrote up an estimate for the benefit district that Dustin hasn’t seen. The county also needs a waiver restoration letter and more clarity about what the district wants regarding the distance paved and the width of the road. There are also culverts involved and a city fire hydrant requiring a 60-foot easement, per commissioner Samuel Tran. Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee said she would reach back out to the homeowners to get the details hammered out.
Public Comments
Mike Houston from Mapleton: Observation and Attitudes
Houston addressed the commission as “a citizen and taxpayer.” He commended them for conducting the meeting this week better than in the previous week.
He also said it seems like the commission has forgotten that Susan Walker, County Clerk, is an elected official, too. She is to follow the guidelines from the state, just like the commissioners need to. In a public forum and meeting, remember that the commission is meeting for the sake of the community and the county’s employees as well as other elected officials.
Department Updates
Bill Martin – Sheriff
“I was incorrect,” said Martin, regarding the previous discussion about the commission’s approval of funding for phones and technology updates for his department. The board did approve the phones for the sheriff’s department in the Sept. 15 meeting. “My apologies,” he said.
The new phone system cost the sheriff’s department $693 less than the original estimate.
Sheriff Martin commented on the confusion about Stronghold and the county’s lack of an IT department.
Milburn said the county has hired Stronghold as managed services for the county as well as for special projects.
Martin reiterated his open-door policy and asked the commissioners to come to him with anything they need to discuss.
Susan Walker – County Clerk
Resolution 44-25 R&B Sales Tax to R&B $600,000 Road and Bridge Sales Tax Transfer for work completed. Approved.
Tran asked if the commission would continue to do their business in resolution form, and they agreed to do so at Milburn’s suggestion.
Resolution 45-25 EMS Equip to EMS $26,530.06
Moving the reserve over to their operation fund. Approved.
Resolution 46-25 Jail Sales Tax to Law Enforcement $250,000 Approved.
Resolution 47-25 Inmate Fees to General $60,200
This is done to cover the longevity pay. Approved.
Payroll
Walker asked about the timeline for the implementation of pay cuts to the County Clerk and Register of Deeds from the commission’s decision to take payroll duties from the Clerk’s office and road record duties from the Register of Deeds office.
The county is in the process of hiring a person to do payroll and will have a special meeting with executive sessions to conduct interviews on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.
The commission said to implement the new pay rate January 1, 2026.
Benefits Termination Timeframe
The commission voted to terminate employee benefits at the time of employment termination, not carry it through the end of the month, as has been the previous policy.
“Supervisors either have to be timely on their terminations, or we go to this [benefits end at termination date, no longer carry through the end of the month],” said Walker.
Motion carried, Commissioner David Beerbower opposed.
Old Business
SEK Mental Health Board Members – Tran
Tran brought up the subject of serving SEK Mental Health as a board member.
Beerbower said he too, had heard from other counties and there’s concern about how the SEK Mental Health Board is being run, particularly with the salaries of the leadership.
Milburn said that she had a call from the CEO of Mental Health saying they are making adjustments to salaries. He also sent her a text highlighting the collaboration of SEK Mental Health with Freeman Hospital.
She read an email from one of the Bourbon County volunteer board members asking that the commission call him and his fellow Bourbon County board member to the table and discuss it.
“If you can’t have a transparent NGO (non-government organization), then it’s not a service to the people the way the people need it,” said Tran. Information should be provided freely, especially since the organization takes federal taxpayer dollars.
Beerbower moved to terminate the volunteer board members representing Bourbon County with the SEK Mental Health Board, effective immediately.
Milburn asked that the commission allow those board members to attend and be terminated in person.
The motion carried, Milburn voting against.
Beerbower moved to appoint himself and commissioner Tran to the open positions, to be revisited when the new commissioners are added to the board in January. Motion carried.
Resolution for Courthouse Space – Milburn-Kee
“We really need to clean up the space before we start allocating new space,” said Tran. He pointed out that before they allow departments to expand into new spaces, they need to clean up the courthouse because there is stuff everywhere.
Beerbower said it is quite evident that the board needs to do a walk-through and make some decisions about items currently stored in the courthouse.
They adopted the resolution delineating the current use of space in the courthouse.
108 W 2nd Street Realtor Selection – Milburn-Kee
Milburn-Kee said she asked realtors if they would be willing to sell the building in question. She said it is quite evident that local realtors have a “bad taste in their mouths” from previous work with municipalities, particularly the City of Fort Scott and the sale of lake lots.
She does have one realtor who expressed interest. She recused herself from the voting process.
Tran motioned to allow Stuart Realty Company to list the building for $200,000. Motion carried. Milburn abstained.
Handbook Approval – Milburn-Kee
Dr. Cohen, Bourbon County’s HR department, recommended that the commission approve the vacation and sick leave accrual policy of 1/12 per month of the amount allocated for the employee, rather than giving them the full amount on January 1 of the year, as is the current policy, removing the county’s liability for all of the sick leave or vacation pay should an employee terminate.
Payroll and benefits are to be figured from the employees most recent hire date.
These changes are to be implemented prior to the new handbook implementation, which is taking longer than anticipated.
Milburn-Kee handed out a resolution based on his recommendation.
Historically the county has had a use-it-or-loose-it policy regarding vacation time. Both vacation and sick leave have been front-loaded in January as well.
Beerbower said that vacation is an earning that increases with time. Not front-loading it means that vacations will all be taken at once in the second half of the year, after employees have accrued enough leave to take time off.
He said that one or two people who may quit early in the year shouldn’t mess it up for the whole group.
Walker said that the county doesn’t have the financial means to fund carry-over vacation. It’s built into their wages.
“You can adopt it, but you’ll find out within a year that you can’t afford it,” said Walker. The county’s financial statements must show that the county can fund the liability of vacation time.
Terry from EMS suggested that those who have years of service are being penalized by only allowing 1/12 per month. This is particularly apt in the first responder world. Currently, salaried employees and elected officials don’t log their sick time or vacation time, and have no cap, but supervisors can deny them leave.
Milburn said they are moving to standardize it for now until the handbook is approved, which gives them the option to adjust it later.
Undersheriff Davidson spoke to the commission, saying it is disrespectful to the employees of the county to make this change. He questioned the commission’s need to control how people take their vacations. He questioned the idea that Dr. Cohen independently brought up this issue on his own. He also accused the commission of attempting a power grab.
Sheriff Bill Martin asked what the hurry is to push the changes through. He also pointed out that they should wait until the other commissioners are sworn in.
Regarding the handbook he said, “Let’s not pick and choose. Let’s do it all together.”
Walker said that the payroll process has the vacation of 2025 available until the second week of January, giving the board some more time.
Tran said it’s not a power grab, but an effort to follow the recommendation of the county’s HR specialist to create a rule-book you can live by. He also mentioned the ability to ask for advanced leave.
Beerbower said that the message of this change is that the county commissioners don’t trust the employees not to take advantage of the county by quitting at the beginning of the year, requiring payout of all their front-loaded vacation time. He said he’s in favor of slowing down and not making big changes.
Beerbower said that the carryover is to cover times when employees can’t use their leave because of their duties.
Tran pointed out that policies are not laws and have exemptions.
Parliamentarian Kaety Bower said there are middle-ground options that could apply here.
Tran said he spoke to a constituent during a meeting recess and pointed out that the county should not do harm to employees by removing their vacation time, jeopardizing the plans they have made by purchasing vacation tickets, and causing them to lose the cost of the tickets.
He proposed front-loading half of their vacation in January with the stipulation that if a county employee leaves before the end of June, he or she will pay back unspent vacation time. This is a compromise that will get the county through 2026, with the understanding that there will be no front-loading at all starting in 2027.
Beerbower said he doesn’t think the issue needs to be rushed. He wants to wait to make any changes until after the new year.
Sheriff Bill Martin said it doesn’t look good to make this change and then not meet for two weeks.
Milburn moved to approve Resolution 49-25 as amended by Tran. Tran seconded and then explained that the county hired a functional expert in the person of Mr. Cohen to guide them in this matter, but the clerk is also warning about the financial feasibility. He thinks the compromise he proposed is the best option.
Cindy Marie Vann-Green, age 68, resident of Fort Scott, KS, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, at her home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Watson Memorial COGIC, 2215 Appleton, Parsons, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The commission meeting opened with several members of the audience making public comments.
Public Comments
Lora Holdridge: Register of Deeds
Holdridge explained to the commission that her office was moved out of the computer room last week by Stronghold, the county’s IT department. She keeps the equipment needed to run her office there. She expressed concern about Stronghold and CrawKan moving equipment into the space she had been using. With the understanding that dispatch is moving out, she wondered if she could use that space for her 4 scanners and a six-foot shelving unit and another camera. “I just need all my stuff together in one place,” she said.
Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee said she is working on a resolution delineating where each department will be housed in the courthouse building.
JD Handly
J.D. Handley spoke to the commission, representing himself. He said the three-minute time limit the commission puts on public comments is disrespectful and unnecessary. “You know the saying, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t try to fix it’? Well, I see a lot of that going on,” he said.
Handly mentioned a Public Works employee politely addressing the commission a few weeks ago and asking them some questions. The commission ignored him, according to Handly, which he sees as very disrespectful. He reminded the commission that the employee is a voter and taxpayer, as well as a county employee. He said they owe him a public apology and an invitation back to the meeting to have his questions answered.
“I am tired of the animosity between the clerk and this commission. It’s putrid,” he said. He said County Clerk Susan Walker is capable of serving as the commission’s administrative assistant and could do so if it weren’t for the petty differences between the commission and her.
“We didn’t elect you people to come in here and sit in these seats and bicker amongst one another,” he said. “Set your differences aside and take care of the county’s business. If you can’t do that, then resign and let somebody else in the seat that can.”
He also said that the outsourcing of human resources and payroll is ridiculous.
“Set your differences aside. If you can’t, step out,” he concluded. A few audience members clapped as he left.
Greg Motley — Freeman
Motley is resigning as a Freeman Board Member to avoid a conflict of interest as the County Commission District 4 Commissioner Elect.
He reported that Freeman is serving the county well, operating at a loss of more than seven figures as they await final approval from the state.
Deanna Betts with Bourbon County Core Community
Bett thanked the commission for their support of the poverty program, Core Community, started two years ago.
Over the last two years, they’ve conducted two classes, bringing eight people out of poverty, which is ahead of the average of 3-4 years it normally takes for a person to get out of poverty.
She said they are partnering with Redemption House to offer their participants wrap-around services.
She said they have contribution agreements with the solar companies, so she advocated signing those, as it would enable Core Community to offer more services and get more people out of poverty.
Approval of Minutes (unofficial until approved) 12.01.25
Commissioner Samuel Tran brought up expenses and how the county tracks the technology purchased. He also expressed concern about the fact that department heads can spend their budgets on other departments’ needs. While he agrees with the spirit of helping one another, he doesn’t think this is an ethical process for obtaining the equipment.
Commissioner David Beerbower addressed his concern, saying the commission needs to create oversight, starting on the first of the year with the new commission. He also said that there’s an annual inventory of the county’s property to help track the county’s items per statute.
Tran asked who was checking the inventory.
The County Clerk and the Register of Deeds both offered an explanation of the way they purchased technology, but Beerbower said he didn’t want one at that time.
Tran asked Walker to explain the funding of the county’s longevity pay.
Walker started an explanation, but didn’t complete it. She then said he was being disrespectful and that he didn’t understand how things are done.
Tran said he just wants accurate numbers. When Tran wanted to explain the meeting he had with the clerk to the rest of the commissioners, she refused to stay at the table.
Milburn asked to move locksmith charges from the county commission fund to the IT fund. Motion was approved.
Beerbower moved to approve the consent agenda as corrected. Motion carried.
EMS Award
Tom Odin, a neuroscience nurse from St. Luke’s, presented awards for Bourbon County EMS and Scott Township for a stroke call they took on July 10, 2025. The EMS and Scott Township workers called air evac and transported the patient to St. Luke’s in Kansas City. He is doing fine now.
Odin recognized Michael Houston, Todd Miller, Justine Banwart, Dylan Peterson, Robert Kline, Ron Witter, Adam Miles, and Jason Eastwood for their quick response and activation of AirEMS for rapid transport, which made a significant difference in the patient’s outcome.
The commission participated in a number of executive sessions for lawyer client privilege and returned to session with action.
Resolution 39-25 – Contribution Agreement Hinton Creek Resolution 40-25 – Contribution Agreement Tennyson Creek Resolution 41-25 – Tennyson Creek exemption from Moratorium Hinton Creek First Amendment Tennyson Creek First Amendment Tennyson Creek Contribution Agreement Settlement and Release Agreement Tennyson Creek Settlement and Release Agreement Hinton Creek Contribution Agreement Hinton Creek
The attorney went over the agreements, which have been made available to the public. There are nine documents which mirror each other. There are solar projects on Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek. These documents seek to resolve pending litigation between various land owners and the board of commissioners. The documents included are two proposed contribution agreements, amendments to development agreements signed by previous commissions, and three resolutions for the board’s consideration including an exemption from the moratorium, and approval of contribution agreements for Hinton Creek and Tennyson Creek.
The attorney advised approving the exemption to the moratorium first and considering the rest of the agreements together, followed by the two resolutions for the contribution agreements.
Beerbower moved to accept Resolution 4125, Tran seconded. Milburn asked for a ten minute recess to look over information.
Before beginning on the voting, they opened the floor for public comments.
Pete Owenby asked about battery electric storage systems. Tran said they don’t have enough information since the project is in the formative stage. 800 megawatts is the maximum aloud per the agreement. There’s a 400 foot setback requirements from a non-participants house.
Owenby asked if the solar company will be allowed to move to other sections. Tran said it depends on the landowners’ willingness to lease to them.
Owenby confirmed that the zoning committee does not affect the Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek projects.
Randy Mcanulty spoke to the commission about his neighbor across the road. This neighbor is leasing land to the solar companies and his property line is 90 feet from Mcanulty’s house.
He expressed concern for how the land will be cleaned up once the solar farms are obsolete, as well as the reduction in property value for those who live near the farms. He expressed concern about the next generations having to clean up the equipment.
“All they’re doing is screwing their family down the road,” he said of those who take a lease check from the solar companies and let them use the land for their projects.
Mary Pimperton thanked the commissioners for hiring an attorney and negotiating a deal the the solar companies. “I think there’s been a very good resolution come to that will allow the county to benefit from the projects.”
“This is a long time coming,” said Tran. His name was on the original lawsuit prior to becoming a commissioner because he is a firm believer that government officials don’t have the right to take away the next officials’ policing power.
Beerbower moved to adopt resolution 4125, exempting Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek from the moratorium on solar projects. The motion passed unanimously.
Beerbower then moved to adopt the development agreement, contribution agreement, and settlement and release agreements for both Tennyson and Hinton Creek projects. They were all approved unanimously.
Sonia Lala with Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery
On Oct. 24, 2025, a presidential declaration made federal funding available for working capital loans to help with economy injury disaster enabling small businesses and non-profit’s to meet their financial obligations. The loan can be for up to $2 million, 30 year term, first repayment is after 12 months, no application fee. Call 1-800-659-2955 to apply.
Third and fourth executive sessions with attorney Jacob Millenberg, no action
Culvert Permit – 2222 35th Street
Dustin Hall and Kenny Allen from Public Works addressed the commission, asking for approval to install it. Milburn moved to put it in. The motion passed unanimously.
Jayhawk 240th Speed Limit
Milburn asked Hall and Allen their opinions. Beerbower confirmed that they were referring to 240th from Jayhawk to old Hwy 54. He said that constituents are asking him to leave it the way it is. Tran said the limit is as low as it is for a reason. Milburn suggested the commissioners take a drive out there before making a decision. They agreed.
The bridge at 110th and Fern is completed and awaiting a final inspection for a new load rating.
Resolution 38-25 providing in kind county facilities for the sixth judicial was approved. The annex is completed under budget and the sixth judicial will be moving over there.
Susan Walker – County Clerk
December 22nd meeting is canceled because Beerbower and Tran cannot make it.
Neither Beerbower nor Tran can make the last two meetings of December. This presents a problem because the necessary budget amendments to close out the fiscal year need to be published 10 days before their hearings, by law. Beerbower said he would try to adjust his schedule to make the Dec. 29 meeting.
October 2025 Financials
Clerk Susan Walker asked how they want to receive financials.
Part of her duties as the clerk is to do maps and road records, requiring a computer and software that her office shares with the Register of Deeds, as they both create maps in their offices.
Old Business
Sale of Real Property Resolution – Milburn-Kee
MIlburn read a resolution to establish a policy to sell property belonging to the county through a realtor.
She then moved to sign resolution 42-25. Motion carried.
New Business
Real Property Relief Application – Herman & Darlene Leihsing/Avis Bosley
Milburn had reviewed the application for 2453 Jayhawk Road in Fort Scott and moved they approve the application. It passed unanimously.
Resolution 42-25 – Transfer of Funds
Tran said he was good with transfers for Road and Bridge, EMS, and Law Enforcement. He was concerned about the inmate fund having enough to cover the sheriff’s needs until the end of the year if they pull the $200,000 that the resolution lists. $58,684 was the total needed to meet the county’s longevity pay. Tran and Beerbower discussed pulling $58,300, but not $200,000.
Tran moved to rescind his previous proposal to move the $200,000 from the inmate fund the to the general fund. Motion carried.
They asked the clerk to work on the figures and will deal with it in the next meeting.
Driver’s License Resolution – Milburn-Kee
The resolution does not replace the county’s contract with the drivers license division for provision of a facility. It moves the driver’s license office to Suite 10 in the courthouse building at the same rate as the rent they have been paying for their current location. Resolution was approved.
Areas of Responsibility Courthouse – Milburn-Kee
Milburn is working to craft a resolution describing how the courthouse space will be allocated to the various departments housed there.
Milburn announced that Wreaths Across America is this weekend, and they will start placing them on soldiers graves at the national cemetery on Saturday at 10am.
Commissioner Comments:
Samuel Tran: part of the confusion at the commissioners’ table is from the inability to listen more than talk. He asked the commissioners to take care to articulate what they mean so he can understand them.
This confusion is very frustrating when he gets conflicting information filled with emotions. “I don’t care about your feelings. I care about the facts,” he said.
David Beerbower: in an effort to communicate what has happened over the last week in the county, he read the definitions of “political gamesmanship” and “playground gamesmanship.” He said what happens behind the scenes is pretty close to playground gamesmanship. He expressed the desire to serve as a statesman, not a politician.
He expressed hope that the commission and county government members will work as a team in the new year.
Commissioner Mika Milburn brought up a dispute with the cost of a new firewall for the sheriff’s department. Commissioner Samuel Tran said it was “mission creep,” that the commission hadn’t approved. Sheriff Bill Martin addressed the commission, saying that the quotes for new phones and a firewall were approved in the Sept. 25, 2025 meeting, to be paid for from the jail sales tax.
Commissioner David Beerbower moved to table the issue for a week to iron out the disputes as to when the approval was given.
There was also a dispute about which fund should pay for the mapping services needed to redistrict Bourbon County to 5 districts.
Beerbower said it needed to be paid for regardless of where it comes from. Milburn said she wants to be sure the commissioners’ fund doesn’t get spent without the commission’s direct order. They decided to pay for it from the general government fund.
The remainder of the consent agenda was approved.
Emerson and Co. regarding longevity, insurance
Emerson, County Clerk Susan Walker, and Dr. Cohen addressed the commission.
Emerson addressed the need for the commission’s approval of a quote for COBRA administration, FSA, and HSA. The commission so voted.
Emerson also said that they need to address when the new insurance deduction amounts should be collected from the employees. Until now the process has been to collect them the month prior to their due date in order to have the funds on hand to pay at the beginning of the following month. However, with the new employee navigator integration, funds will not be collected in advance, and the start date of the deductions will be the first payroll in January. Manual deduction entries will need to be added in December, 2025. Emmerson recommended making the change.
Blue Cross Blue Shield requires the county to pay a month in advance, per County Clerk Susan Walker. She said that if they don’t do the deductions in the previous month, the county may not be able to pay for their premiums. She said the county had already planned to manually enter everything by the cutoff date of Dec. 3. She said this problem will come about each December.
She said that employee navigator doesn’t allow for automated employer contributions, so they have to be manually entered.
The clerk also said that they would have to change benefits availability to 30 days after first hire date for county employees. Tran and Cohen both said that is standard industry policy. Tran said he had no problem with that.
Emerson recommended finding out what the cash flow amount shortage would be. The clerk told the commission that the amount needed is approximately $8,800.
Milburn moved to follow Emerson’s recommendation. Tran seconded with a discussion.
Handbook — Dr. Cohen
Cohen brought his current copy of the handbook. He asked for the commissioners’ individual input, then plans to take it to the elected officials and department heads, receive their input and comments, and make changes, then bring a final document to the commission for approval by the first of the year.
Cohen also brought a recommendation to the commission to have them fund an administrative assistant position for the commission. That assistant would cover matters related to personnel, records, benefits, and more.
“It’s become abundantly clear that you need a person that’s accountable to you and you only,” he said. He also said that the funding for that position would come from existing funds currently allocated elsewhere.
Milburn said that up until 2025, the commission had that person in the position of county clerk.
Tran does not oppose the position but has concerns about how they would pay for the person.
Beerbower said funding is the number one issue as well. Cohen said he thought they could find the money and that the commission should approve the decision to fill the position contingent upon finding the funding.
The motion was passed to move forward with recruiting for the position, pending funding.
Tran said they should look at the inmate housing fund to pay insurance for employees and for the commission’s administrative assistant.
Beerbower said he was not willing to do that.
Longevity pay — Dr. Cohen
Cohen addressed bridging, which is when an employee leaves and then returns. He recommended not giving them longevity pay, per his recommendation. He said that if the bridged time is shorter, continuing longevity pay may be a good idea, so long as they return to their original position. He recommended that as a consequence for employees who leave and want to come back.
Beerbower, Milburn, and Tran agreed with Cohen. They agreed that if an employee leaves and is paid out, they cannot come back at the same level they left.
Victory Foronberry, from county corrections, asked about a problem with longevity pay. Tran and Beerbower spoke to her. One of the problems was that a funding stream they voted to use to cover it was contested.
Longevity pay approved by previous commission was put into each department’s budget, but most departments didnt have it in their budgets for this last paycheck.
Tran said they did what they thought was best at the time, but within 72 hours of the commission’s decision, the revenue source was contested.
Davis asked the commission to leave the longevity as is and pay it to the employees. He said that their decision to add a new position, although it is pending the ability to find funding for it, was a terrible decision and makes the entire commission look like they put county employees second.
Sheriff Bill Martin said he doesn’t know who would contest using the inmate housing revenue to pay the employees their longevity.
Another audience member asked the commission to use the inmate housing fund to pay employees what they were promised.
Janet Harper, who works in the appraiser’s office, said that the money sent out on that stub, which was not paid by the county, was her grandchildren’s Christmas.
Tran moved to pull the inmate housing fund and put it into the general fund. Milburn gave a second with discussion.
Sheriff Bill Martin said he came to the commission offering them a 60/40 split a couple of months ago, and they wouldn’t take it. Asking to take all of it is an insult to the sheriff’s office. He said they should only take out what it costs to meet longevity pay requirements.
Clerk Susan Walker said that her projections show that a lot of the inmate housing money will be needed for the sheriff’s budget amendment, and the commission should speak with his financial advisor before moving the money.
“Everytime we try to do something, we’re getting our legs chopped off,” said Tran.
Tran then amended the motion to pull $200,000 from the inmate housing fund. Motion carried with Beerbower voting against.
Tran proposed that they take $55,100 from the general fund to pay for the longevity pay.
Beerbower moved to leave 2025 longevity as it has been and make the changes in 2026.
“We didn’t create this mess. We’re trying to fix this mess,” said Tran.
The motion to pay longevity through the end of 2025 carried, Milburn opposing.
Sheriff Martin said that his 2025 budget was created by two other individuals without input from him. The outgoing commissioners at the time told him his budget was “screwed.”
He asked why Tran made the comment about him choosing to sue the commission. Tran replied that he knew Martin had been “done dirty,” in the past and he wanted to help him. However, Martin’s continuous referral to the requirement that the county give his department what it needs to function seemed like a threat of suing the commission.
Tran said that as an executor for the county, he will take care of the county, and give the Sheriff’s department what it needs, but maybe not what it wants.
Sheriff Martin said the conversation should have happened in his office one-on-one. He told Tran that they (the commission) are confusing everyone with the numbers game. He said he appreciated Tran’s honesty.
Tran and Martin each accused the other of not reaching out to communicate about their issues outside of an open meeting.
Lines of Communication – Susan Walker, county clerk
Walker told the commissioners she needs direction from them about how they intend to communicate with her.
“I’m having trouble getting responses, and it’s very difficult for me to do my job,” she said. “It is very hard for me to do my job as clerk if I cannot get a hold of you,” she said.
Walker said she can’t set up meetings if she can’t get a hold of anyone. She asked for clarification about expectations.
“For the most part, I think that communication works well, especially by the email,” said Beerbower.
Solar Litigation
Beerbower said that the commission has been in litigation with solar developers over agreements signed with the 2024 commission. They are working to find a solution outside of court via mediation.
Next week, the commission will be voting on resolutions to change the moratorium that will exempt these two companies from moving forward with their projects. They will also vote to amend the development agreement, including setbacks for battery systems and emergency training.
There have also been some settlements on pilot money that include settlements totaling about $320,000 per year paid to the county for the next ten years.
Counsel will send to the clerk the needed information for the resolutions, which will be voted on in the December 8th meeting.
Jackie Demott with the appraiser’s office spoke to the commission. She said that while folks have issues with solar, bringing businesses into Bourbon County will help solve the county’s funding issues.
“Maybe you need to start thinking about, not just what is best for each individual, but what is best for the county. What’s going to bring this revenue in?” she said. She suggested they form a committee to bring businesses into the county.
Planning Commission — Bob Johnson
County attorney Bob Johnson attended the new Planning Commission meeting before Thanksgiving. They discussed the procedure going forward, as well as hiring a part-time individual who has helped neighboring counties with their planning commissions.
District 3 Vacancy — Bob Johnson
The Kansas Secretary of State’s legal team has said the commission can either have the replacement for the District 3 come from the old district, or from the newly created District 3, which is preferable and makes more common sense, but either option passes statutory guidance.
The commission passed a resolution for the correct political party to appoint a commissioner for the new district 3 when current district 3 commissioner, Mika Milburn, becomes the commissioner for district 5 in January 2026. That commissioner will hold office until January 2027 with the person elected in November of 2026 is seated on the commission.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
After opening up the meeting with the regular exercises, the commission conducted a number of executive sessions before hearing from the county’s health insurance broker, Don Doherty about health plans for the county employees for 2026.
2026 Benefits Discussion
Commissioner Mika Milburn read aloud portions of an email from a Bourbon County citizen saying that the commission missed an opportunity to make changes in the county’s health care plan that would cause county employees to become more responsible consumers of their health care. The email cited as an example the idea of a high-deductible Health Savings Account plan. The writer also mentioned that the taxpayers bear the burden of paying the high cost of county employee health care.
Milburn said she received other messages along the same lines and that she had voter’s remorse after last week’s vote. She moved to rescind that last vote and have another vote after the discussion with Don Doherty.
Commissioner Samuel Tran seconded it, with the caveat of having an open discussion in the meeting. He said that he, too, had second thoughts after last week’s vote and received emails and phone calls about it afterwards.
“I think we may have missed the boat on that, but I hope we didn’t,” he said. He expressed concern about messing up people and the county as a whole.
The motion to rescind carried with Commissioner David Beerbower opposing.
Doherty presented to the commission regarding the county’s health plan as the county’s insurance broker. He pointed out how hard it is to choose a plan.
He mentioned focusing on helping the employees first. He also said that offering the employees a choice of four different plans allows them to choose what works in their world.
Doherty talked about the prevalence of HSAs in other businesses in the region, mentioning how those who participate get to keep their money and are incentivized to make good health decisions.
He said that 12 percent of the county’s employees made 98% of the claims. Of those remaining, 73% had less than a $1,000 claim, giving them money left-over to put towards their retirement, if they had an HSA option.
Regarding family plans, he mentioned that the plan they voted for last week would only work if the number of employees wanting family coverage doesn’t change. A few changes could blow the budget.
He distributed a document of hypothetical plans that the county could adopt.
Beerbower asked about HSAs. Doherty mentioned that it takes some getting used to for the employees, but they can become very popular because of all the tax advantages.
Tanner O’Dell spoke re. the vote the commission made last week. He was speaking on behalf of “most of the public works employees.” Several of the employees are concerned about losing their longevity pay. He called the commissioners’ failure to account for the 17% increase in insurance costs when making the 2026 budget a mistake, which results in a benefit cut for public works employees. His own example results in a 10% reduction in what he will be able to bring home each month.
He asked the commissioners to answer separately the question of what the employees have done wrong to deserve this pay cut.
Tran expressed concern that the commission take the time to digest the new information from the insurance broker before making a decision.
Beerbower said that the information hasn’t really changed and is concerned with the close of the open enrollment window placing a burden on the county’s employees.
He agreed that the 80/20 plan passed last week fails if the county has an increase in enrollees in the family plan. He also addressed the email Milburn and he both received saying that the county is actually not far off from what other companies provide.
He also said that when the county decided to leave the state plan, they put themselves in this situation, and stated that his goal is to get the county back into the state plan in the future.
Milburn expressed concern about keeping the rich family plan. The current model has proven unstable, and their pool has paid out more in claims than they contributed. She focused on the need to choose a plan that is sustainable regardless of future changes.
Beerbower proposed going to a 75/25 split on all plans except for singles at 85/15. He also mentioned that an HSA seems like a good option for some employees.
County Clerk Susan Walker reminded the commission that not having as many employees in the family plan will reduce the amount paid toward the insurance premiums by employees.
County Counsel Bob Johnson said the commission was focused on the deductible but needed to recognize that most employees are going to be focused on the premiums and their monthly cost.
An audience member who works for EMS said that if they price the employees out of insurance, they will lose employees.
“The best thing to do is we all share in the challenges of life in Bourbon County, ” said Tran. “That’s the best I can hope for, and that’s what I’m striving to do.”
He and Beerbower both stated that the money for the county to absorb the increased cost just isn’t there, and the employees will have to bear some of it.
Tran also said his call for a vote on the health insurance plan last week was a misstep.
Tran moved that the county accept Plan D given to them by Don Dougherty. The motion carried with Milburn dissenting.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
November 10, 2025 Bourbon County Commission Meeting Continued
Sheriff Lease for Vehicles
Sheriff Bill Martin brought new numbers and handed them out to the county commission.
The documentation he provided is for an 11 vehicle lease because they need to replace that many in the current fleet.
Annual lease cost is $137,449 per year. The first year will include police equipment for a total cost of $399,303. This would be paid for out of the jail sales tax, as it’s part of the operations of the sheriff’s office and jail.
Martin said he would get the contract updated.
Milburn wanted to get the numbers together and make sure that the funds would be in the jail sales tax.
County Clerk Susan Walker said she could run the numbers if the sheriff’s department would give her five-year number projections for the vehicle lease.
Martin said they would get the numbers for her. He also expressed frustration at how long it’s taking the commission to come to a decision.
After he left the meeting, Tran expressed concern at the entry cost of nearly $400,000, and said he wasn’t sure Martin needed 11 new vehicles.
Beerbower cautioned Tran about trying to manage Martin’s fleet.
“This is one of those things that got kicked down the road,” said Beerbower. “This is one of those things that he’s been asked to compromise on for several years.”
