Samuel Tran joined the Bourbon County Commission for their June 23 meeting as the newly appointed commissioner for District 1.

Also new to the table was Kaety Bowers, serving as the parliamentarian for the commission. Her roll is that of an impartial assistant to Commissioner David Beerbower as the commission chair in running an efficient meeting per resolution 1125, which the commission signed in January, 2025. The new vice-chair for the commission is Mika Milburn.

KCAMP Information

Davie Lamb spoke to the commissioners about the benefits of KCAMP, which is pool-owned by the member counties, not an insurance company. KCAMP provides coverage for property and liability for Bourbon County. Formed in 1991, they cover 81 Kansas counties and several municipalities. Their board is made up of three clerks, three commissioners, and a sheriff from member counties.

Computer Services

Steve Prasko of Advantage Computers and Jayhawk Software in Iola, KS, and Jason Rincker from Stronghold Data of Joplin, MO each spoke to the commission about the computer services they could offer to the county.

Old Business
Juvenile Detention Center

Mike Walden, director for the SEK Juvenile Detention Center in Crawford County, brought administrators from the facility and some of the center’s board members to the meeting to speak with the commission about the history of the center, anticipated changes in the law regarding the detention of juveniles, and the importance of Bourbon County continuing to use it as its juvenile detention resource.

Walden said that Bourbon County is 1/10 owner of the $400,000 Juvenile Detention Center, which they will forfeit if they choose to house juveniles in a different facility, which was discussed at the June 16 meeting.

He said that the center was built in 1994 in an effort to meet the requirements of the 1980 law regarding the housing of juvenile criminals. He also said that a state study shows that no single county can afford a facility that meets the federal standards, and SEK is the poorest area of Kansas, thus they must work together. A juvenile justice plan is required for each county, and being part-owners of the facility in Crawford meets that requirement. Until 2006, the facility was run on a per-diam basis, but that made budgeting hard for commissions, so they changed to a funding formula, which takes into account the last 4 years of use by the county as well as the population and valuation of the county. Larger counties pay more.

To work for the facility, you must be 21 and have some training in sociology and psychology, per state regulations. They work with Pitts State and their social program students to help the residents of the center.

Walden said that the current intake system isn’t working, and juvenile criminals are slipping through the cracks and not being held accountable.

According to the Kansas Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee there were 7552 contacts between law enforcement and juveniles in 2017. “The state has struggled with placement of juveniles,” creating a dangerous situation for workers and juveniles, said Walden.

“I guarantee you we’re going to treat them better than anywhere else they’re going to go,” said Walden.

In 1992 Bourbon County signed an interlocal agreement with the Juvenile Detention Center.

By using facilities outside of Southeast Kansas, money Bourbon County is being sent to other regions. “We are part of you,” he said.

He encouraged the commissioners to come see the facility and see what’s being done there.

Milburn asked if they would come to the table to work out a different agreement, and Walden said that would be up to the board of directors and encouraged them to speak with them.

No Bourbon County representative has been to a facility board of directors meeting since 2022. The board’s next meeting is July 23.

Tran said the agreement should be revisited and the facility’s board of directors should invite the commissioners to come to the table.

Sheriff Bill Martin asked for a breakdown of the financial investment that the county has in the center. He also said that the codes for space and light requirements for detention centers are the same for adults and juveniles.

Milburn asked Walden to reach out and build a relationship with Sheriff Martin. Walden said that he would do that and wants to be included in any future discussions about juvenile detention services.

“We’re looking at our budget and we have our numbers,” said Beerbower.

SEK Mental Health Budget

Nathan Fawson CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health explained that his organization serves five counties in Kansas and employs more than 500 individuals, 60 of whom are therapists. Bourbon County has 80 SEK Mental Health workers as well as a federally certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.

“I believe Fort Scott is very unique in the partnership that we have with SEK Mental Health,” said Fort Scott School Superintendent Destry Brown. SEK mental health partners with many organizations in Bourbon County, including schools, to serve the mental health needs of the community. There are now on-site therapists at each school provided by SEK Mental Health, all under parent approval and on a sliding scale for students. Case managers in each school oversee and work with teachers to help the kids. “Behavior health has gotten to be a huge issue in every school,” said Brown.

Bonny Smith from the audience spoke to the commission about the importance of including the parents in the help given to the children as well as for the staff of the school. First responders and law enforcement also need the help that Mental Health offers, she said.

“We are so grateful,” Fawson said, referring to the partnerships they have in the community, for the county’s support over the years, and the opportunity to serve in the county.

Tran asked how many patients they serve in a year. In 2024 they provided 35,482 services in Bourbon County alone.

Milburn said that SEK Mental Health needed county funding at the founding, but they are now self-sustaining and don’t need the county’s funding.

She said that the county helped the organization stand financially before it could stand on its own. Times have changed since the county started supporting SEK Mental Health, and SEK Mental Health now has more support throughout the community.

Milburn had a new resolution to propose, repealing the April 1961 resolution regarding SEK Mental Health. Her resolution proposed to keep a county commissioner as a member on the mental health board, but to repeal the 1/2 mill tax levy that had been supporting them.

“I want to offer them our support, not monetarily anymore – because they are there [referring to SEK Mental Health’s financial stability]- but we want them here in our community,” said Milburn.

“We have become more self-sustaining than we have been previously…we’re grateful but we’re not pressed in that regard in the moment, and as such we are less dependent on the county for financial support than we once were,” said Fawson.

Commissioners voted to table the issue for one week.

Budget Committee resignation of Marla Heckman & Assign Replacement

Beerbower nominated Joseph Smith to replace Heckman. Nomination carried.

Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

Mr. Emerson spoke to the commission about solar panels. He asked about the lawsuit that the county took over. “I surely hope that nothing will be signed until we get zoning,” he said. He also referred to a lawsuit between Jackson County and a solar company, expressing concern about environmental protection surveys not being done. He encouraged the commission to get more information before signing anything.

Michael Hoyt talked to the commission about tax abatement. He said he had brought to the attention of the commission earlier this year that the property at 401 Woodland is tax-abated at a value of $3.9 million, meaning $600,000 in taxes have not been collected.

“It’s only fair that we bring to the attention of the other taxing entities that their budgets in 23, 24, and 25 were based on that valuation in the budget and they don’t know they don’t have that money coming,” he said.

He also said that the property that’s out there now is classified as a charitable hospital but it hasn’t been one since Mercy left. It’s unconscionable that they are designated as a philanthropic hospital, he said, and he hopes to be able to resolve it.

New Business
NRP

Matt Quick, county appraiser, spoke to the commission about the Neighborhood Revitalization Program rebate again. He said that two years ago the county changed it from a 5-year program to a 10-year one. That change did not cause an increase in applications, but it has caused a diminishing return for the county.

Tran asked for the number of buildings in the program and what the benefit would be to the county. Quick said he would get those numbers for him.

Tran asked to wait to make a decision until the next meeting after he gets his numbers. The issue was tabled.

Appraiser Contract

County appraisers serve a 4-year term. This July, Matt Quick needs to re-up with the state, which requires a resolution from the commission. Commissioners voted to table it until next week.

Formation of Benefits Committee

Milburn proposed forming a Bourbon County Committee for Employee Benefits, to explore and find insurance options and benefit plans for county employees. It would consist of several employees, the benefits officer, and a commissioner.

Both Beerbower and Tran were in favor of the idea.

Susan Walker said that the committee members will need HIPPA training because they will have access to the health information for county employees.

Letters of interest are to be submitted to the commission.

The committee resolution was approved.

Elevator Repairs

The elevator in the courthouse is down. The judge sent a letter to the commission encouraging them to repair the elevator. There will be some jury trials at the courthouse in the near future.

A power surge caused the computer boards to fail, which the county will file an insurance claim for, but they need to do a quick, temporary fix to make the courthouse accessible for trials this week.

Beerbower moved to approve the $30,000 in funding needed for immediate repairs. Commission approved.

The meeting ended with executive sessions. The Commissioner Comments section of the meeting was not broadcast on YouTube.

Sheriff Bill Martin, Under-sheriff Kevin Davidson, and Angie Eads, Director for the Sixth Judicial District Community Corrections, spoke with Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower about a possibility of saving the county money by changing their juvenile detention center provider.

The county has use the facility in Girard, KS for juvenile detention services for several years. The annual contract amount has risen steadily over the last few years. Martin asked that the commissioner consider the option of changing to a pay-as-you-go agreement with the facilities in either Johnson or Douglas County.

Undersheriff Kevin Davidson researched the county’s interaction with the juvenile detention facility at Girard. The 2023 budget for Girard was $81,227, in 2024 it was $90,000, and the same is budgeted for 2025. Johnson County has a program that charges the county $180 per day to keep Bourbon County juveniles. Douglas County offers a similar rate and service.

He said that if the county had used Johnson or Douglas County’s juvenile detention centers in 2023, the county could have saved more than $50,000, and more than that in 2024.

Martin said they’ve been discussing getting away with Girard for years. He wants the commission to think very seriously about changing from an annual contract with Girard to a pay-as-you-go set up with either Douglas or Johnson County. He also said they only sent 3 or 4 kids to Girard last year.

Commissioner Mika Milburn said the worst case scenario from the county’s records was in 2022 with 548 days of juveniles from Bourbon County at Gerard. At the $180 per day rate, the cost would be $98,640 for the year.

Eads, whose department does the juvenile intake and assessments to determine, alongside law enforcement, if a juvenile should be held in detention, said that in a 3-year period, one individual used up more than 50% of the days that the county paid for juvenile detention.

County Clerk Susan Walker said that her records show higher numbers billed to Bourbon County for juvenile detention services, causing her to wonder if they have been over-billed. Her math shows a cost of $236-$274 per day over the last few years.

She also said that getting a contract with Girard has become a challenge, that in 2024 it was $98,000 and in 2025 it is $134,000. She also recommended looking at changing to the per-day system that the Sheriff’s department is suggesting.

“You’ll save right off the bat,” said Walker.

Martin plans to bring information for the agreement with Johnson County to the commission for their consideration.

SEK Mental Health Budget

“This has been an ongoing controversy,” said Beerbower. He has been visiting with the 6 counties that also use SEK Mental Health, and said most of them have elected to reduce the budget money towards SEK Mental Health and have recalled their board members. This may be due to a rise in the pay to the CEO.

Bourbon County SEK Mental Health board member Marty Dewitt was at the meeting. He is the pastor of Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church and has been on the board of SEK Mental Health for the past 10 years. The other member from Bourbon County is Jeff Fischer.

Beerbower suggested waiting for a third commissioner to be sworn in before making any decisions. Milburn agreed

Dr. Cohen Service Agreement

Milburn reviewed the contract and spoke to Dr. Cohen, and he removed number 7 from the contract and explained further about number 9, now number 8.

Milburn moved to sign the new contract. Beerbower agreed and signed as chair.

Budget Committee Selection

Commissioners read letters of interest aloud in the meeting. Those who submitted letters were: Greg Motley (already appointed to sit in on all budget hearings), Carolyn Smith, Katy Casper, Joseph Smith, Marla Heckman, Josh Jones, and Michael Hoyt.

Milburn chose Carolyn Smith and Katy Casper. Beerbower chose Marla Heckman and Josh Jones. Along with Greg Motley, that creates a board of 5. Motley will report to the commission and organize the meetings of the board.

The commissioners thanked everyone for their letters of interest.

Parliamentarian Proposal

Kaety Bowers agreed to serve as parliamentarian to the board of county commissioners. Milburn recommended having more than one parliamentarian to allow for scheduling conflicts. At this time, Bowers is the only one who has agreed to serve. Milburn’s motion included adding parliamentarians “as they decide they want to volunteer,” and was approved.

Mission Statement

Beerbower liked the long version of the mission that Milburn read in the meeting on June 2.

Milburn received some feedback from a citizen, Courtney Halsey, and read it in the meeting.

Beerbower moved to adopt the mission statement submitted by Milburn and the vision statement submitted by Halsey.

Motion carried.

Office Restructuring

The commissioners discussed the required changes in how county office space is used that will occur in January of 2026, when the commission moves from 3 to 5 commissioners. Milburn said that because of all they have going on as a county right now and her stance of only doing what’s absolutely necessary at this time, she is not in favor of spending any money or time on restructuring right now.

Beerbower said that he has received feedback from citizens to the same effect.

“You have a valid point, that we don’t need to rush into this,” said Beerbower.

Beerbower moved to cancel the restructuring for now, to be added back on later in the year when needed. Motion carried.

New Business

Commissioners held a 15 minute Executive Session with members of the Sheriff’s department for matters pertaining to non-elected personnel to protect their privacy. They returned to regular session with no action.

A second Executive Session was held to discuss other personnel matters with just the two commissioners attending. They returned to regular session with no action.

Property Disaster Relief Application – Duane & Tawnya Glasscock

Milburn moved to sign the abatement for 1726 Buckeye Road based on photographic evidence submitted by the Glasscocks. Motion carried.

SEK Regional Planning Commission Update

Greg Motley spoke to the commission about the potential benefits of SEK RPC. He said the organization is the driver of economic development in Southeast Kansas. Montgomery County has been reaping the benefits of the organization, but Bourbon has been “kinda minimalist,” and he wants to make everyone aware of what SEK RPC has to offer. Besides municipal infrastructure and affordable housing, there are loans to establish and expand or retain employees in new businesses. There are also agricultural grants.

“If anybody in the county wants to know what’s available through this organization in grants or loans,” they should contact the commission, he said, who will put them in touch with Motley.

“We should just keep these programs in mind so we’re not on the sidelines and can get our fair share of money,” he said.

Beerbower said he was interested in grants that would help with animal shelters.

Motley said they should consider applying for grants through SEK RPC for the deferred maintenance needed on the courthouse.

Bronson City Park CDBG Grant Letter of Support

A grant was applied for through SEK RPC and a letter of support from the county will help them gain consideration for the grant to the improve the part.

Commissioners approved.

Commissioner Comments

Milburn expressed that she is pleased with the citizens’ response to the need to replace District One Commissioner Brandon Wisenhunt by attending the Republican Party Convention last week.

In the June 9 meeting, Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower voted to create a Budget Advisory Committee to help with the budget process.

They are accepting letters of interest until June 16 per this document from the County Clerk’s office:

The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest for qualified individuals who would like to serve on The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners Budget Advisory Board. Letters of interest will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office, 210 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Qualifications and duties expected of board members can be found in the Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board which are on www.bourboncountyks.org and available in the County Clerk’s Office.

The bylaws are:

Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board
Article I: Name

The name of this body shall be: The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners Budget Advisory Board

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of the Budget Advisory Board is to:
• Review budget requests from county departments and elected officials.
• Assess revenue projections and spending priorities.
• Make written recommendations regarding the annual budget to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.
• Promote transparency and public engagement in the budget process.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with Kansas budget law and other applicable statutes.

Article III: Authority

The Board operates in an advisory capacity and has no binding decision making authority. All recommendations are submitted to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners for consideration.

Article IV: Membership
Section 1: Composition

The Board shall consist of five (5) to nine (9) members, including the Chair. Members shall be appointed by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Section 2: Qualifications

Members must demonstrate relevant experience in budgeting, finance, accounting, public administration, or related fields. Each applicant shall submit a letter of interest and qualifications.

Section 3: Appointment and Term

Members shall serve two-year terms, renewable by reappointment. Initial appointments may be staggered to maintain continuity.

Section 4: Chair

A Chair shall be appointed by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners. The Chair shall preside over meetings, coordinate activities, and serve as the Board’s spokesperson.

Section 5: Compensation

Members shall serve without compensation.

Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board
Article V: Meetings
Section 1: Frequency

The Board shall meet as needed, at a minimum of 6 times annually, including during the formal budget development cycle.

Section 2: Public Access

All meetings shall be open to the public, with notice given in accordance with Kansas Open Meetings Act and applicable notice requirements.

Section 3: Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the currently appointed members.

Section 4: Voting

Recommendations of the Board shall be adopted by a majority vote of the members present.

Article VI: Duties and Responsibilities
The Budget Advisory Board shall:
• Receive and review departmental budget submissions.
• Assess short-term and long-term revenue forecasts and spending needs.
• Hold public meetings to gather community input.
• Ensure compliance with Kansas budget laws and procedures, including setting deadlines for:
o Public notices
o Public hearings
o Budget adoption
• Prepare a formal written report with budgetary findings and recommendations for submission
to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article VII: Reporting

The Board shall submit its final written budget report no later than July 14, in time for review and adoption by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article VIII: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article IX: Administrative Support

The County Clerk’s office may provide support, record keeping, and meeting logistics.

These bylaws were adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, KS on the 9th day of June, 2025.

Commissioner David Beerbower began the meeting by reading a statement outlining the meeting’s conduct, including the expectation that audience members silence their phones and refrain from conversations, wait to be called on before speaking, and allow the chair to manage the meeting.

Republican Open Seat Announcement

The Republican Party of Bourbon County will hold a convention to fill the vacant District 1 seat on Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Bailey Hall. Applications are due by Tuesday, June 10 at 5 p.m. and can be emailed to [email protected].

Old Business
Zoning Advisory Committee – Beerbower made a motion to postpone the zoning committee’s presentation of their recommendations until June 30, 2025 to allow for a third commissioner to be appointed and present.

The committee will continue to meet to work on its report. Dates of those meetings will be published.

Dr. Cohen HR Solutions – Commissioner Mika Milburn asked Beerbower’s opinion on using the company to conduct HR services for the county now that he’s had time to consider the information from the last meeting. He said he is for it, and he likes their proposal and the cost.

Milburn moved to hired HR Solutions on Call, which would require a contract be paid from the benefits fund.

The motion was approved.

Budget Committee Proposal – Milburn proposed the creating of a budget advisory board to help the commission through budget season. She proposed that the board be made of financial professionals, who will be qualified to advise on budget items.

The motion passed. Letters of interested will be taken until June 16, 2025.

Parliamentarian Proposal – Milburn suggested the commission consider bringing in a parliamentarian to help run their meetings.

“We are shorthanded,” she said. Milburn and Beerbower both had people they wanted to ask to consider the position.

The issue has been tabled until June 16.

Sales Tax Discussion Update – Milburn followed up on the hiring of a firm to conduct the county’s tax sales. She said the treasurer is working through the steps necessary to facilitate that and it’s in process.

Dump Fees for Employees – Milburn wants to remove it as a benefit.  Beerbower said that after receiving feedback from various members of the community and an email regarding fringe benefits from the County Clerk, Susan Walker, he believes times have changed and the perk needs to be stopped as well.

The commission voted to end free dump fees for county employees starting immediately.

Commissioners went into a 20 minutes executive session for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorny-cliet relationship.

Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

Mr. Parks suggested that out-of-county trash haulers who use the transfer station for trash disposal pay more than in-county users.

New Business
SEK-CAP General Public Transportation – Casey Brown brought the funding request to the commission to get it in before the budget meetings start. Historically, SEK-CAP has been funded by the county, the City of Fort Scott, and area churches and businesses.

It costs approximately $8,000 per day for a full year of transportation services. Currently services are offered three days a week, but they are considering going to five days a week, which would cost $40,000.

Commissioner Milburn asked for more precise data about how much of the county outside of Fort Scott is served by SEK-CAP.

When asked about changing their hours of operation, Brown said they were open to discussion and want to fit the community’s needs.

Fireworks Licenses Days

Fireworks licenses were issues to Hale Fireworks and Jake’s FIreworks. Sale dates have been extended by state statute from July 5 to July 7.

Commission Comments

Milburn said that she loves “the idea of a steady, reliable process” to govern the county and that there so many citizens getting involved.

She said she would be happy to visit with anyone interested in the job. “This job takes a lot of stamina and I am going to do what I have to do to serve Bourbon County and keep up.”

The remainder of the Bourbon County Commissioner meeting of June 2 included  discussion of repairs to the courthouse and the awarding of opioid fund money to Path of Ease for the purchase of a vehicle.

Mission Statement

Commissioner Mika Milburn read two sample mission statements and asked for feedback from the community. The commission will revisit a county mission statement on June 16.

Worker’s Compensation

Commissioner David Beerbower moved to withdraw a motion from a previous meeting to consider additional pay with workmen’s compensation claims. Moved to add it to the next budget work session.

Zoning Discussion

Beerbower moved to give the zoning advisory committee a one-week extension, at their request, to present their recommendations to the committee at the June 9 meeting. Commission approved.

Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

June Bench, Bourbon County resident, spoke to the commission about a member of the sheriff’s department that she claimed lied about her in a police report, leading to her arrest. She expressed concern that this person is still in the employ of the sheriff’s department, “Just because you have a badge, you shouldn’t be allowed to break the law,” she said.

Bench is not in a lawsuit with the sheriff’s department, she took a $75,000 settlement to drop it. She doesn’t want any more money. She claimed she went to the sheriff for help before litigation, and he wouldn’t help her, she said through tears. She is concerned and feels that the person who did that to her is dishonest, and others are suffering as she did. She asked the commissioners to investigate the situation.

“You guys have the right to know that there’s some unethical things going on,” she said.

Bob Johnson, the county attorney, said her lawsuit was her form of redress, and the commissioners aren’t the right place to come with this issue.

Clint Walker publicly thanked the public works department for their good work after the storms and said the assessor’s office staff was very professional when they came to his home.

New Business

Path of Ease Association

Jennifer Simhiser, the founder of Path of Ease Association, a women’s and children’s recovery house came to ask the commissioners to award her organization some of the opioid settlement fund allocated to Bourbon County to purchase a van. Simhiser gave her personal history of depression and addiction. After rehab in Lawrence, KS she learned about transitional housing and was then able to live on her own.

“The recovery community is almost non-existent [in Fort Scott]. The drug problem, on the other hand, is horrible,” she said.

She asked fro $30,000 from the Municipal Kansas Fights Addiction Fund to purchase a recovery transportation van to get the women to their recovery meetings, as well as to and from work, church and events that build the recovery community.

The county has $81,000 in that fund currently, earmarked for addiction recovery purposes. None of Bourbon County’s fund is allocated at this time.

Several members of the board for the Path of Ease home spoke to the commission, commending Simhiser and the home, and attesting that it is meeting a need in Bourbon County.

Beerbower moved to allocate $50,000 from the opioid settlement fund to the Path of Ease (End Addiction Stigma Everywhere) for travel expenses and other expenses through the clerk’s office.

Motion carried.

Tri-Valley Developmental Services 2026 Budget Request

Bill Fiscuss CEO of Trivalley Developmental Services said his organization is requesting $55,000 from the county, which has been their budget request for the last several years. They provide services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in eight counties, at their centers, as well as services in homes.

Courthouse Repairs

Two county employees spoke to the commission about the courthouse’s need for serious repairs over last 18 years. “It’s deferred maintenance,” said one.

The building needs washing, tuck pointing, waterproofing, window sealing, and elevator repair. It is a contributing building to the national historic district of Fort Scott, therefore, it has to meet certain standards.

Jason Dickman from Earl’s Engineering created the current bid document and will come discuss it with commission in the June 23rd meeting.

“We’re not going to kick the can down the road,” said Beerbower.

Commissioner Comments

Beerbower said, “It’s unfortunate that we’ve lost another member.” He then mentioned that citizens in the old first district are eligible to serve as the next commissioner.

Milburn read a statement:”It was recently brought to my attention that the position of commissioner is ever-changing in our county…what can we do to gain some stability?” She went on to point out that the county many have to strategically spend a little bit of money to save money, referring to Dr. Cohen’s Human Resources services mentioned in yesterday’s county commission story.

Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt, District 1, resigned right after the opening prayer of the June 2 Bourbon County Commissioner meeting.

“It’s been a pleasure serving Bourbon County, but effective immediately, I’m resigning,” he said and left the meeting.

Commissioner David Beerbower said, “That’s unfortunate news. I don’t know what to say about it,” before moving on with the meeting.

County Clerk Susan Walker then read a statement saying she is “respectfully declining to perform the employee grievance process in the future due to continual interference in the most recent investigation I performed. I will share my findings with the county counselor and let him present them to the commission at a later date.”

Contractual Services for Municipalities

Commissioner Mika Milburn said she found Dr. Cohen in her search for help as a commissioner and asked him to talk to the commission about what his company does to serve counties and other municipalities.

Cohen has a consulting operation based in Kansas City that specializes in human resources. They serve several Kansas health departments, cities, counties, and ambulance districts as clients, and so are familiar with working with elected officials. They have submitted a proposal to Bourbon County to do HR systems work, including updating Bourbon County’s outdated job descriptions and policy manuals, as well as wage and salary development and implementing a performance appraisal process. As part of their services, they would assist in all investigations and examinations of allegations by employees or elected officials. They have an employee hotline for elected officials and employees to get real-time, effective guidance or recommendations. This is a step county personnel can take for assistance before choosing to call the Kansas Human Rights Commission. The company will also perform governance training and sexual harassment prevention training, reducing the county’s liability in the event of a case. Their objective is to protect the county and employees and to put would-be perpetrators on notice that sexual harassment won’t be tolerated. Cohen said his first priority is to protect the county and help it operate in a healthy way.

The proposal is for an all-inclusive fee. The county would be hiring a company, not an individual, with lots of experience in municipal settings.

“I think it’s really important that we do something, David. Take it very seriously, please,” said Milburn. She also said the fees Cohen’s company charges are “a fraction of what it would cost,” to hire a full time county HR person.

The commissioners put it on the agenda for the June 9 meeting.

Old Business
Department Updates
Susan Walker-Employee Benefits

Walker talked to the commissioners about raises given on May 27 that were “pretty significant” and impacts the budget, which she said requires some extensive discussion. The fund that the commissioners have charge of, which pays employee taxes will need to increase by at least $12,000 to finish the year, possibly more if the employees work overtime.

Sheriff Bill Martin and Officer Murphy, his advisor spoke to the commission about the situation. Murphy said his department lost two officers since the first of the year, and the current staffing shortage leaves money in payroll and benefits to cover the cost of the raises. He said there’s not a current need for a budget amendment.

He also said his department has lost 20 trained people, at a cost of $1 million dollars, over the last several years, because “we can’t pay enough…so we’ve got to get our starting wages up so we can get qualified people in the door.” The county needs to adjust to be somewhat comparable to other law enforcement in the region.

Past administration made a choice to use sales tax dollars to keep taxes down, said Walker, which affected the sheriff’s department as well as the rest of the county offices.

Commissioners decided to wait to see if a budget amendment would be needed in the future.

Brian Allen-Disaster Proclamation

Allen asked the commissioners to sign the disaster declaration from the storms of May 19. Road damage and other damages met the qualifying threshold. This will allow the county to submit it to the governor, so that if the governor declares a state of emergency, the county can benefit from it.

Allen also told the commission he wants to compile a list of those with safe spaces for tornado events so that first responders can use it to check on folks.

Eric Bailey – Public Works

The May 19 storm caused damage to several roads with washouts, as well as large trees down in the roads. Bailey encouraged county residents to let them know of roads that need his department’s attention.

Bailey said he’s been working with the motor grader operators on a plan to get the crowns back on the roads and lips to guide the water off the roads and into the ditches. This plan will take several weeks of dry weather to implement. Mowing has been delayed by water-filled ditches.

The Elm Creek Lake shelter houses and house have been roofed. Outhouses are under construction. Bailey gave credit to Todd Fox and his family, as well as county public works employees, for volunteering their time to work on the shelters.

Bailey said he had spoken with former commissioner Whisenhunt and Don George about applying for a grant for dam improvements at Elm Creek Lake. The phase two grant application is due June 16. He referenced suggestions of applying for a feasibility study to drain the lake and repair the valve box and the dam. The commissioners chose to wait for the safety study, which means they will probably miss the deadline of applying for the second phase of the grant this year.

A group called Kansa Bonanza is planning to come to Fort Scott this weekend. This group drives side-by-sides on the back roads, cleaning up trash. They have asked for a roll-off dumpster for the trash they will collect. The commission made a motion to approve that use.

Allen County landfill will shut down on days with high wind notifications, per the National Weather Service, because of the trash blowing away, which affects what Bourbon County will do with its trash.

Tornado sirens interrupted in the first 5 minutes and the meeting was paused and most audience members and staff moved to safety until the sirens stopped. The pause lasted about 10 minutes.

Despite further sirens going off the commissioners opted to continue the meeting.

Public Hearing for Vacation of Road

Alley between lot 3 and lot 4 for the sublot of block 8 in Hiattville, KS.

No public comments were made.

The commission approved the resolution for the vacation of the road in Hiattville.

Old Business

Budget Reminder

Commissioner Mika Milburn addressed the elected officials and county department heads, reminding them to get their very detailed budgets in to the County Clerk’s office by June 1, and “be ready to defend your budget down to the dollar.”

Work Sessions Reminder

Both the June 16th separation of landfill and public works work session and the June 23 camera work session will be held after the regularly scheduled commission meetings on those dates.

Landfill Separation

Commissioner David Beerbower read a statement after apologizing to the chairman and members of the board as well as those in attendance at the May 12 meeting for his failure to follow Robert’s Rules of Order and the disrespect he presented towards the chairman in bringing his motion forward in that meeting. The heated discussion between himself and three citizens failed to allow Chairman Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt control of the meeting at that time.

He brought the issue back up during the May 19 meeting because the motion he made to table it last week was based on incorrect information he received regarding an email about landfill rates. Regarding cost analysis he acknowledged the importance of the budget as well as services the county offers. Higher costs of operation in the future are a possibility.

He said that on its own, the landfill would be its own priority, giving it more attention than it has had historically. This isn’t about punishing anyone or saving money. The 2025 budget is set.

He again moved that the landfill department be separated from public works, that the landfill be increased by one employee from the current public works roster, that the equipment currently used at the landfill, including the dozer that is sometimes used elsewhere in the county, be placed under the control of the landfill supervisor; that the landfill will operate under the approved 2025 budget and public works will operate under their remaining department budget and that any revenue generated by the landfill must be presented to the commission before being used.

“There is a work session that you’ve told all these people is going to happen and now you’re trying it again,” said Milburn. She refused to discuss the issue with a second to Beerbower’s motion.

Whisenhunt seconded the motion.

Milburn then read a statement that included the statement that landfill employees have said they don’t want raises until they can prove that the landfill can make money. She is concerned with the cost of the change. “You could lower the budget if you didn’t do all these things.” It’s going to cost a secretary, a mechanic, and one more employee. “So we want to spoil this department and make sure they take all this money because it can generate revenue, when really we don’t have to do that?”

She then asked for public comments on the issue.

Whisenhunt reiterated that the  motion had been made and seconded before acknowledging an audience member that had been at the previous meeting.

Kevin Allen, who does a lot of hauling out to the landfill transfer station, included Clayton Miller whose family had been in trash hauling since 1987, and other local trash companies as people he was representing in his comments said, “There’s several of us that are really nervous as to where this would head.”

One of their concerns is the county looking at the transfer station [landfill] as a cash cow. He asked the commission if that was a correct assessment.

Beerbower said, “The only way the rates [for dumping at the transfer station] would be raised is if the rates are raised where we take it.”

Allen said he and the other trash haulers were excited about the commission having a work session that would compare numbers because of the potential to lower fees for county businesses who dump there if the numbers worked out, though he admitted that idea was “pie in the sky.”

Allen said that he and other trash haulers in the area are friends with the landfill employees and don’t want to create hostility with them by questioning practices at county meetings. “We don’t want to look at this as a big hostile environment either, and we’re not going to be treated any different than what we ever have been. I’m not going to allow that either.” He reminded the commission that they all are watching.

He said he would rather talk about this stuff with the commissioners outside of the meeting than have these kinds of discussions in a public forum, but his call wasn’t returned. Beerbower was recovering from surgery at the time of the call.

He asked them to do a P&L (profit and loss) analysis on the landfill for the last three years. Beerbower said he was willing to do that.

“You have a pretty luxurious way to run it because if at any given moment they need extra help, it’s a phone call away,” said Allen, when referring to the fact that the landfill transfer station is under the umbrella of the Public Works Department.

Whisenhunt said that the county charges $40 per ton for household trash, but then pays $33.70 per ton to dump it at the landfill in Allen County.

Whisenhunt also said that one of his goals for the county is to go beyond a transfer station and create a Bourbon County landfill.

Allen said, as a tax payer and business operator in Bourbon County, “I just want to be heard, I want to be respected…I don’t want to make hasty decisions…that’s why I’m here.” He then thanked the commission for listening.

Whisenhunt mentioned that he has regular, weekly conversations with the “county boss” who has said that the landfill is probably not ready yet to be apart from Public Works.

Milburn used information from Susan Walker, County Clerk, to say the county is spending more money by making this decision. She also had further information for Beerbower regarding non-elected personnel that would inform his decision.

They tabled the motion, then adjourned to a 10-minute executive session.

Jennifer Hawkins, Deputy County Clerk, then asked how the commission would handle the required $250,000 which the transfer station must have on hand by state mandate. Currently, Public Works has that money set aside in its budget. “That’s a significant chunk of Public Works’ budget that’s just in limbo that they can’t use to buy equipment or do any repairs or upgrades,” she said.

Allen spoke up and said that would be a great item to be worked over in a work session. Another audience member said he didn’t understand the rush and it looked to him like they were lying when the commission proposed a work session for June 16, but made a motion to go ahead with the separation today.

Johnson reminded the commission to follow the rules for a public meeting, but not a public forum.

Beerbower made the motion to withdraw his original motion to vote on the separation of the landfill from public works.

The Commission will not be meeting during Memorial Day week.

Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda

Nick Graham addressed the commission, saying the last time he spoke with them was at the first meeting of the new commission in January. “That night I felt something I had not felt for a long time: hope.” He believed the toxicity he had seen pervading the county’s operations was coming to an end. However, he no longer believes that is the case. He says the county suffers from “grievance mentality.” He addressed the cause of Leroy Kruger’s resignation, saying he believed Kruger felt caught in the middle of the internal wars the various departments within the county have with each other.

He said he hates to bring this up with people he considers friends and has respect for, but he hates even more the fact that, “every time I encourage good people like Leroy and Dillon and Mika to serve this county it turns out that what I’m really asking them to do is jump head-first into a spirit-grinding toxic meat grinder. That has to stop. And now.”

FSCC asking for gravel

Milburn did the cost analysis and said it will cost the county $1305 to give FSCC the gravel they are requesting to improved the drive to the softball facilities being used for regional games. Bailey said he wouldn’t have time to do it if the storms increased the work the county needs to do on roads. She said it was at his discretion whether to do it or not and she wasn’t sure the county should spend the money, either. She didn’t want to tell him to do it in place of the work he needs to do on the roads.

Beerbower said he thinks that if Bailey can do it, he should do it. Whisenhunt said he already told Bailey to do it if he can.

Milburn said she wanted to see a motion to that effect. Whisenhunt made the motion, Milburn voted against, but it carried.

Dale Griffith

Griffith spoke to the commission, saying he’s seen a lot of talk that the county has paid a large amount due to non-representation of the board in litigation. As a tax payer, he asked why.

Johnson said they cannot speak about pending litigation.

Don George with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

George asked the commission if they wanted to apply for further grants for repair of the Elm Creek Lake Dam.

Whisenhunt said he would get information on numbers from Bailey and get back to George.

Concerned Citizen

Another audience member spoke with the commission, saying he agreed with Nick Graham. He then thanked the commissioners for serving, acknowledging how hard their job is, and reminding them to do what’s best for the people who elected them. He encouraged them to hang in there despite the difficulties. “It’s not pretty, but it’s not meant to be pretty. It’s politics.” He reminded them to keep their heads up and do the best they could, saying that he and several other citizens he knows appreciate their service.

New Business

KCAMP Memorandum

The memorandum speaks to the need for replacing roofs on the county building. KCAMP inspect the facilities annually and submits their assessment. The information will need to be kept in mind as the commission makes their budgets.

Commissioner Comments

Mika Milburn; apologized for getting heated during the landfill discussion. She has spent several weeks talking to department head and elected officials in an effort to get acclimated to the county and find out where she can best serve.

“My opinion: there’s a lack of respect for the tax payer,” she said.

She isn’t aligning herself with any other elected offices, but seeks to represent the best interests of the county. She said that no one in the county employ deserves to be making “the most money.”

“There are men and women that sign up to defend our nation every day and they are signing up to serve. We all signed up to serve our county in a different capacity but want to set here and bicker about what we deserve. Well if you ask me, we all deserve to be elected out for our displeasing behavior that we subject our electorate to, and I don’t want to hear any more about it. Right now we have an economic crisis in our county. Let’s not forget that we all signed on to serve the people of Bourbon County and not ourselves. And if anyone chooses to stay the course and keep on, I’ll do nothing, because your choices are yours and they are not a reflection on me and mine,” she concluded.

With that, they voted to adjourn the meeting.