Bourbon County Commissioners meeting of Dec. 19, 2024 opened to a packed citizens’ section.
Redistricting was one topic that dominated the meeting.
Commissioner Brandon Wisenhunt started the redistricting discussion by apologizing: “We dropped the ball on the 3 to 5 thing. We should have been working on it as soon as it was on the ballot.” We originally thought the clerk and secretary of state was working on it.” After last meeting Wisenhunt did some more research on the issue. “I want to start off by apologizing to Mr. Hoyt. This is not something that should be citizen-lead.” Wisenhunt went on to explain that it is the “most litigated topic in Kansas, and I would not want to put individual citizens at risk for litigation.”
It is the sole responsibility of the commission to redistrict based on KSA19-204. The current commission must vote in the new districts, per Kansas law. Redistricting is to be completed by January 1, 2025. After consulting with other counties, Wisenhunt says, “We are so far behind in our process it’s almost embarrassing.”
After explaining that there has been distrust between the public and the commission leading to this situation [around the 48 minute mark], the commissioner made several motions to remedy the situation and move the county toward compliance with the law regarding redistricting.
He then made motions to hire SAM, a survey and mapping company, to create three different maps of possible new districts, based on the population of the county and keeping the voting wards and precincts intact. The commission would then choose from those maps to create the 5 districts.
Commissioner Clifton Beth spoke about the citizen’s committee created at the previous county commissioner meeting. He said that it was intended to be an advisory committee, “they have no say in what happens, just advice.”
All committee meetings would be open to the public.
County employee stated that the county cannot produce the needed maps themselves, because the census data is produced in blocks, but the county is divided into precincts and wards. It is in the best interest of the public to pay somebody to do this, so as do avoid any charges of malfeasance. The company, hired by the county will “go in and break the [census] blocks, figure the blocks to fit into the wards because the wards cannot be separated. Precincts can’t be separated.”
He went on to explain to the commission that creating the new districts was beyond his capability, especially within the timeline, “so if we want to get it done in a timely manner we need to use SAM.” He predicted that if the county hired SAM, they could probably get the redistricting done by the end of the following week, Dec. 27.
The commission voted to hire SAM to create the three maps of 5 commission districts of Bourbon County on the motion of Commissioner Beth. SAM’s services will cost $7,600 and the maps will be ready by Dec. 30.
Mark McCoy, chairman of Bourbon County REDI gave an overview of key activities and accomplishments of REDI including conducting several targeted studies to inform strategic planning and decision making. These studies covered labor market trends; data shared with state officials to assist in site selection projects for potential business locations; information to several local business to support HR teams in marketing their companies to prospective employees; and retail selection performance.
REDI also supported several businesses including The Kitchen Collective, Bibs and Dibs, the Artificers, and Bourbon County Clay. REDI’s data was instrumental in grant applications resulting in multiple successful awards.
REDI also conducted housing needs assessment used by external and local developers to promote housing initiatives, as well as sales tax revenue analysis. They made business retention efforts, conducting three years of visits since 2021.
REDI claims that their assistance allowed for the securing of more than $2 million in competitive grant funding with $200,000 already being disbursed.
“REDI distributed more than $150,000 in community grants to fund critical development projects across the county.” These funds provided by the county have been invested in baseball field upgrades in Redfield and Bronson, park improvements in Uniontown, Fort Scott, and Mapleton, a new playground at Kansas Rocks, and $17,000 for Bourbon County EMS to purchase AEDs (defibrillators).
REDI has played a roll in community based projects demonstrating its commitment to partnering with local organizations. Projects include the splash pad and the First Kansas Mural, and the new pavilion down town, promoting civic pride.
Housing developments, REDI is actively engaging developers to address critical housing needs with ongoing initiatives totaling more than $5 million. Working to expand single and multi-family housing options.
REDI organized a county-wide strategic planning session including school districts, Fort Scott Community College, community organizations,and local businesses to identify and address regional challenges.
REDI’s ongoing efforts include the areas of housing, child care, tourism, and health care.
When asked by the commission about the idea of REDI being self-sufficient three years from its formations, McCoy answered that REDI’s previous chairman stated that the goal for REDI was to be self-sufficient in three years from 2020, but the REDI board didn’t vote on that. McCoy went on to answer Wisenhunt’s questions regarding REDI’s expectation of funds from the county by stating that he has had conversations with the commissioners on 3 previous occasions regarding funding for REDI. He also said that $130,000 was set aside for REDI at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 for services rendered and services being paid.
Another citizen claimed that the things REDI is taking credit for helping with in Bourbon county could have been done without their assistance. He then went on to ask how much funding REDI is receiving outside of the city and the county.
McCoy says that he is unaware of REDI receiving any funds from anything outside of the county and city. “If we don’t get funded, that is your choice,” he told the commission. “We’re here to provide services and are listed on the Bourbon County website as the county’s economic development entity.”
A former REDi board member asked what the county had asked REDI to do. Expressed concern about the county’s funding limitations and the precedence set by continuing to fund REDI indefinitely.
Deb McCoy presented detailed information she had collected about the history of REDI and its relationships with the city of Fort Scott and Bourbon County. REDI was formed in August of 2021. However, she could produce no signed contracts between Bourbon County and REDI.
Her information stated that the county paid Bourbon Co. REDI between 2021-2023, per expenditure reports, $774,751, that the county didn’t include REDI in the 2024 budget. The city drew up a contract with REDI signed April 8, 2024.
Combined with payments from the city, REDI received $849,918 during that time period.
McCoy asked how the commission to explain these payments and services rendered without signed contracts, pointing out that the expenditures exceed the amounts in those contracts.
Commissioner Beth said that the county did their business via a motion, no contract, but a motion made to create a city/county entity (REDI) for economic development in 2021 and fund it for 3 years at $130,000 per year. Contracts with the city are seperate. The county was paying a one time annual payment per their motion. There were no contracts considered by REDI.
One citizen spoke up, “I’m asking the county, please, you fulfilled your promise, please do not fund this.”
Rob Harrington spoke to the commission about REDI as well, explaining his involvement in REDI: “I’ve given my heart and soul to this community.” Enumerated numerous activities that REDI took part in, including getting health care back in Bourbon County by bringing in KRI, helping revive downtown Ft. Scott by getting viable businesses into unoccupied buildings, and keeping the Artificer’s building stable.
He went on to explain that his children have been harassed on the street asking if they know their dad’s a fraud, and he has received 2 a.m. phone calls saying he should be killed or run out of town.
“Our job at REDI is to bring in new revenue so we can decrease [tax] rates,” he said.
Wisenhunt said he wanted to wait to decide about funding REDI to “see how much money we have left.”
The commissioners voted to table it for a few weeks until they get final numbers for their finances for the year.
The meeting also included a public hearing for budget amendments. Several funds amended by county due to revenue that has come in that exceeds the budget in various categories for a number of reasons by $1.3 million: Road and Bridge, Appraisers, Bridge and Culvert, Election, Employee Benefits, Landfill, and Emergency Services sales tax ( The new sales tax fund)
Susan Walker explained that the purpose of the budget hearing is amend to budget to spend un-budgeted extra revenue by the end of the year. However, unspent funds will carry over. Even though the cash is available, a hearing and amendment to the current budget must be made to keep the county from violating budget laws.
Susan went on to answer several questions from the citizens at the meeting explaining the following:
It is ideal to have 3 months of funds carry over every year, but the county usually spends it down to zero, especially in the road and bridge department. The county currently has no plan for a three month carryover for 2025, but they are “working towards that” by building cash reserves.
The county cannot always budget for inflation.
Commissioner Jim Harris said, “Everyone has to keep in mind that we assisted in funding health care. That money could have easily been called carryover because it was in an account and it could have been moved to any cash fund by this commission. For us spending a half million dollars assisting with healthcare, it would strain anyone’s budget, any time any where.”
However, the commission is making steps toward creating a carryover amount, “With Susan’s help, for 2025, we budgeted $450,000 extra cash to help carry over the cash and start building cash reserves again.”
“We are way behind on pay raises (for employees),” said Susan, then she explained that the commission has increased wages for county workers, changing the base pay to $15 and hour and giving them 40 hours a week, up from $13 an hour and 35 hours a week.
In order to keep taxes down, the changes the commission made forced the spending of reserves, “We knew it wasn’t sustainable,” said Susan, “and so now you’re at a rebuilding phase.”
She mentioned the importance of talking about the county’s priorities when building the budget: “I’ve always said, ‘If your going to cut expenses, you’re going to cut services…People need to understand that.”
The county’s budget was decreased by $300,000 for road and bridge in 2024. “That hurts,” said Susan. The county tried to do as much as they possibly could but “it hit them really hard.” Roads and Bridges is also awaiting reimbursement from FEMA for the repairs required by the floods earlier this year, which will help that department rebuild its reserves.
Commissioner Harris prefaced the public comments section of the meeting by reminding those present that the purpose of this section of the commissioner meeting is to discuss county business. He said that if people make personal comments or get insulting, he will end the meeting at that time. He also said that no one can discuss solar or wind farms due to litigation.
Anne Dare said the commission should give clear direction to the citizen’s committee, created for the purposed of advising the commission in the Dec. 12 commissioner meeting, and not allow Michael Hoyt to run it without their direction. She referred to the solar committee the commission created in the past.
Mary Pemberton stated that a committee will just bog the redistricting down. She also stated that REDI should not receive extra funding. They went into the year knowing they weren’t receiving funding, so presenting a bill for work they did isn’t right.
Brian Allen asked for permission to have a public hearing on the new flood plane maps. on Jan. 13 at 5:30pm
Sherriff Bill Martin brought the commission a financial adviser request. He asked that Ben Hart with Baker Telly, which firm also works for the city of Ft. Scott, be hired as a financial adviser for his department to look through the budgets to find money for pay raises and equipment, as well as big ticket items anticipated in the new future. He was asking the county to pay $34,000 for the services as the Sheriff’s budget has already been approved. This would be a one year contract.
Commissioner Beth said he was in favor of the hire because, “I think you’re going to need it.” Then he moved to fund it from the general fund, starting Friday, Dec. 20. Susan advised to fund it out of the VIN account or tabling it for a week to get a better idea of the funds available. Sheriff read the statute regarding use of VIN funds stating they are for law enforcement purposes and not to supplement the department’s budget.
Vote was to table it and add it to the next week meeting.
The Ft. Scott hospital equipment agreement and a memorandum of understanding with Freeman Ft. Scott Hospital was presented and tabled until Monday, Dec. 23 meeting to give commissioners time to read over.
The commissioners voted to encumber $50,000 to cover attorney fees for the lawsuits filed against the commission regarding solar panels.
