Monday, June 28, 2021

County Budget Public Hearing

6:00pm @ The River Room

All three Commissioners were present along with the Deputy Clerk Doretta Neville and Finance Director, Susan Bancroft.

Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Donald Coffman, Quita Coffman, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Robert Harrington, Josh Jones, Jason E. Silvers, Jared & Heather Lord, Eric W Bailey, Michael Hoyt, Deb Martin,  Angel Wilson, Just Meeks, Stana Parsons.  There were a few others who did not sign in.

Susan Bancroft welcomed everyone and began with an intro with handouts that gave statistics on property tax levied for 2019 broken down by Department.  Along with how Bourbon County ranks compared to other counties of similar size.

Susan went on to say that this meeting is being held to give the community the opportunity to voice their opinion.  This is your time to voice what you would like to see done.  She stated if the attendees were not comfortable with speaking their thoughts out loud, there was paper provided to write down their thoughts.  We will take those back with us and study them.

Lynne Oharah stated that 2015 was a tough year.  We were $450,000.00 in the hole.  Three hundred thousand of that was in healthcare costs.  A few years later we were able to lower mills.  Legislature has recently changed the law stating that if we want to raise the budget in 2022 we have to have a public hearing.  Lynne went on to explain that the General fund encompasses Treasurers, Clerk, Attorney, and Register of Deeds.  Appraisers and Road & Bridge are independent budgets.  They will submit budgets and the Commissioners and Susan Bancroft will review.  Our goal is to lower the mill levy.

Jim Harris reiterated that the goal is that the mill levy go down.  We want departments to do more for less.  We are asking every department to look at their budgets.  Services cost money, roads cost money.

Clifton Beth stated that in my own household things cost more today than 5 years ago.  Same for the county.  Gas costs county the same as everyone else.  Maybe we get a little break because we buy in bulk.  Our workers don’t get paid enough.  They deserve raises.  It all costs money.

Jim Harris stated that Susan Bancroft is the first of shared services between the city and the county.

Lynne Oharah stated I worked with Jim for 6 years.  He had a flat budget.  We did more with less.  Eric Bailey is the same way.  He is losing key employees to retirement.  He asked if we could raise salaries.  He’s doing away with positions to give pay raises.  Our roads and ditches are in poor shape.  Mother Nature is not always good to us.  We’ve had a lot of rain.  This year was the first year we could add to the budget for ditches/roads.  I’m proud of Commissioner Budget.  It hasn’t gone up in the last few years.  If we travel we don’t charge mileage.

Jim Harris stated Economic Development is very important.  There is growth in recreation… ball fields and parks.  We need to think outside the box to grow.  It isn’t just about jobs.  He also stated that they are having trouble finding people to work the Road & Bridge jobs.  People are able to make more money right now staying home.

Michael Hoyt stated that he resented the statement that people are staying home because they want to.  The dollars are your fault.  You should have programs for backhoe operators, equipment operators, etc.  One idea would be to connect with the college and have a 6 week program to learn how to operator big equipment.

Jim Harris clarified his former remark that there are people staying home during the pandemic and made more money.

Lynne Oharah stated that this year we were able to incorporate BEDCO and BWERC.   I am excited about Economic Development for the city and county.  We are highly reliant on hunting.  Our largest business for Bourbon County is ranching.  We don’t have any place in the county to buy farming equipment or grain for planting.  We want to provide those services here.

Michael Hoyt stated that sales tax is why we don’t have any major business.

Lynne Oharah stated that we need new housing and buildings.

Susan Bancroft stated that the shortage of housing is in the city as well as the county.  When someone is thinking of coming to Bourbon County/Fort Scott they look at housing, food and recreation.  An aggressive housing market is very important.

Clint Walker stated that we have healthcare issues.  People that come for medical care, eat in restaurants, shop in stores.  If we lose medical facilities we lose a lot of money.

Lynne Oharah stated that Rob Harrington is trying to bring a hospital back to Fort Scott.  It will be a game changer if we can make it happen.

Clifton Beth stated that we need not just healthcare but sustainable healthcare.  Hospitals don’t operate for free.  Even if it is a non-profit they have to make money.  The feasibility study will show if we can sustain a hospital or not.  The study could come back negative.  An Emergency Room is crucial.  A typical hospital is an ER, Surgery, Med/Surg Beds, and Obstetrics.  Some of these bring in very little money.

Stana Parsons stated that Mercy had some very good therapy programs.  A full-service hospital.

Clifton Beth stated that he sees us possibly having a smaller scale hospital.  We can’t be a critical access hospital.  There is a critical access hospital in Girard.  My hope is we can do something like that.  Possibly we could have limited surgeries and other more serious health issues would have to be shipped.  ER is crucial.

Michael Hoyt asked if we are sure this grant money that we are looking at will fit the definition of healthcare?

Susan Bancroft stated we are still looking into that.  We haven’t received final word at this point.

Lynne Oharah stated that the Mercy building was donated with funds.  The grant money will be added to make a hospital happen if possible.

Jim Harris asked the crowd, “as citizens what changes do you want to see?

Lynne Oharah stated that shared services started a couple of years ago.  We will save at the city level and county level.  We aren’t paying double for services.  Two audits in a row with disparities.  This is the reason we went with a Finance Director.  We are also going to add a full-time HR Director.  We want to tighten things up.  The city offices will be moving to the courthouse.  That will save money.  We are looking at other possibilities as well.

Susan Bancroft stated that the city was having spacing issues and by moving to the courthouse the issue is solved.  It also solves issues on the IT side.  In one week we’ve seen savings.

Deb Martin stated that she thinks government is too big.  It can’t be sustained.  We have to learn to say no to some things.  We aren’t Kansas City.  We just have too much government locally and nationally.

Jim Harris stated that we have some bridges that are in need of repair or will be shut down.  Road and Bridge is under staffed.  Noxious weed is in line with the state.  Public Safety, Law Enforcement, General Fund goes up.  That’s why we are here to ask what you want to see.

Susan Bancroft stated that as she works on budgets this year she refers to statutes for guidance.

Don Coffman stated that some of the inmates could to be trained to help on Road and Bridge crew.  They can cut weeds.  We used to do that when I worked at the city and some of them were very good help.

Lynne Oharah stated that an in depth study was done and Public Works were lower than most counties.  Departments have cut down employees such as Register of Deeds and Road & Bridge.  We don’t have the equipment to do everything we need to do.

Jim Harris stated that we are doing more with less.  We are offering more services for less.  Road & Bridge was down $400,000.00 during my term as Director.

Susan Bancroft stated that we are looking at insurances.  Possibly some room for savings.

Don Coffman extended a thank you to the commissioners.  He stated he felt they were doing a good job.

Michael Hoyt stated no county needs 7 attorneys.  And the County Attorney budget needs to be adjusted so that we don’t end up with mediocre service.

Justin Meeks stated that a data study for wages shows the average county attorney makes $75,000.00.  Salaries are much different here.  Some of our workers are 30-40% lower than average.  Our wages are low for professional positions.

Anne Dare asked about combined services.

Justin Meeks stated that the city will open a municipal court.  We are highly taxed and under valuated.  You have to have one or the other to get change.  From 2015 to now we are down 215 people in the county.  That’s a lot of sales taxes gone.  We are desperate for smaller government.

Lynne Oharah stated that we use county counselor a lot for contracts.  He has kept us out of trouble more than once.

Jim Harris stated that he would like to have work sessions with each department and try to reduce if we can.  We need growth.  Rob Harrington will help us with that.

Rob Harrington stated that growth is a way to help our tax situation.  Thinking outside the box is how we’re going to solve the problem.  We need healthcare and better housing.  We are connected as a community.  Sometimes we attack each other for things through social media or the newspaper.  People we are trying to attract can go on these venues and see what we are saying and doing.  We have to look at what is best for our community as a whole.  We have to work together with all of us rowing in the same direction.  We want people to come here and stay here.

Clifton Beth clarified that we will not be spending tax dollars to bring a hospital in.

Jim Harris stated that we have to hear from you all.  We work for you.  We’ll listen and try to make things better.

Anne Dare stated that with the hospital project, the housing situation and business here that need support.  Is there anything on the horizon to help them?

Rob Harrington stated that he has reached out to several developers, there is grant money for housing and the land bank will help.  Workforce development is the #1 problem in America.  Covid has played a part.  In the 1970’s we began having both parents in the household working.  Birth rates are down which leaves a shortage of workers.  Welfare also plays into it.  We have to be creative.  We have to work on quality housing more than low income housing right now.  We have to convince the person that lives in KC to come here.  We are seeing urban and rural areas growing.  We will get some of these people.  People are trying to get away from crime.  West coast people have been drawn to the Midwest.  We need to create a county that draws people.  We need a hospital.

Michael Hoyt asked about incentivizing people to live here as many drive here to work.

Clifton Beth stated that our situation is not unique.  It’s happening nation-wide.

Rob Harrington stated that a housing study costing $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 is very important.  What type of housing we need and where the housing needs to be.  Some incentives for building housing could be property tax abatement, electrical rebates, sewer rebates, hook-up fee rebates, etc.

Jim Harris stated that most drive ways in SE Fort Scott are better than the rural roads in Missouri.

Clint Walker stated that he saw an article in the Allen County Newspaper.  There are two prisoners, on work release, that are working in Iola.  Because they have jobs they are planning to move to Iola when they are released.

Michael Hoyt stated there was a disparity of premiums paid and claims paid.

Clifton Beth stated that he is a fan of self-insurance but with an older population in the workforce, there is a risk.  Will I agree to self-insurance?  Maybe not.

Jim Harris stated that we have good insurance now and we don’t want to lose it.

Stana Parsons asked how long after the feasibility study will we see action.

Rob Harrington stated that the study would take into consideration demographics, medical dollars leaving town, how many people come to or leave town to work, the population increase/decrease.  The study will belong to the county once completed.  We will be able to use the document to study and figure out the best way to attract individuals and companies.

Clifton Beth stated there are multiple grants available.  Some grants require studies to be done in order to qualify.

Rob Harrington stated that the grants we are looking at are related to healthcare and we wouldn’t have to use all money for hospital.  There are multi health avenues we can go after with the funds.

Josh Jones stated that he believes sharing services with the county is a good thing.  Hopefully at budget time we will see savings.

Clifton Beth stated that there are a lot of things that we as commissioners can’t do.  There are also things we have to do.  We receive a lot of complaints about executive sessions.  We don’t want to do that but the law dictates that we do this.  Changes won’t happen overnight.  We don’t pay our employees enough.  The majority of counties don’t.

Jim Harris stated that he is excited about things we are doing.  Tell your neighbors to get involved.  If you want changes, let us know.

Lynne Oharah stated that your input is very important.  Help us to know how to budget and save.

Clifton Beth stated that as citizens, you have 3 active commissioners.  There is action at the city.  Pretty positive things for the county and the city.  I think this county can really grow.

Anne Dare asked what types of properties are not on the tax roll.

Susan Bancroft stated that churches, not for profits, NRP’s (but are eventually added back), government, parks, cemeteries, ball fields are not on tax roll.

Jim Harris stated that one of the towns in the county had a ball tournament which resulted in $206,000.00 in revenue for the county.

Lynne Oharah stated that there are little leagues in a lot of little towns that bring in revenue.

Susan Bancroft thanked everyone for coming.

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

July 6, 2021, Approved Date

June 29, 2021                                               Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Harley & Beverly Fuhrman, Rob Harrington, Michael Hoyt, Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Mark McCoy, Anne Dare and Susan Bancroft.

Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous 2 meetings, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the minutes.

The Commissioners held a road opening hearing for Harley & Beverly Fuhrman for an area at 45^th & Unique; Jim reported that the road had been closed in 1896.  Mrs. Fuhrman said that one owner in the area only has access to their property by this closed road and said the road used to be graded 20-30 years ago.  She said that utility companies need access to the road and felt there was a need to open the road.  Eric Bailey said he had driven the road and said it could be maintained, but said it is currently a low maintenance road, he said they would have to haul in rock to the road.  Lynne said they would need to have the area surveyed and, it was stated that if the Commissioners opened the road they would have to try and acquire fences and the right of way in the area.  The Commissioners are going to consider this again on July 6, 2021.

Eric Bailey presented a permit for R&B Towing; he said they moved a house in April and said there was no damage.

Jim made a motion to allow public works to install a culvert at 1255 Maple at no cost for the Rural Fire District, Clifton seconded and all approved.

Eric said the rain had halted the asphalting; he said they did 7-7 ½ lane miles of a leveling coat last week.

Eric said the road had failed in an area of 75-95^th & Yale; Jim said it was time to reclaim the road and do it right.

Eric said they did dust control in the areas of 60^th & Birch and 115^th & Cavalry.  They also milled an area at 35^th & Soldier.

Eric said the recent rain has washed out several roads; he is documenting the repair expenses in case it’s needed later for possibly later.

Jim said he would like to see Eric get aggressive in ditching, even if he has to hire part time help.

Eric said they did side mowing in an area of 75^th & Soldier Road for a cattle trailer to get down the road.  They removed dirt off of the shoulders at an area of 2485 & Locust Road and put a new culvert in at that address as well.  They replaced an existing culvert at 855 245^th. They are getting ready to blast at the Blake Quarry.  Eric said the belt broke on the crusher.  The permits were renewed for the Landfill.  Ag Engineering will be at the Landfill this week to survey for the berms there.  The Bureau of Waste Management will view the Landfill to see if there is an area for soybean disposal; Jim said the berms used to be there, but thought they were pushed away with the C&D removal.

Eric reported that he had 2 employees with health issues needing access to donated vacation time; Jim made a motion to allow Eric to move forward with the donated pool time for the 2 employees and that the department heads meet for this issue, Clifton 2^nd and all approved.

Lynne made a motion to allow all of the Commissioners to attend a Road & Bridge retirement luncheon for Jimmy Wiggans and Harry Sayers on Thursday at 11:30, Jim seconded and all approved.

Windmill update: Eric said the weather has delayed their work, but said they are cleaning ditches.

Eric Bailey, Susan Bancroft and Dustin Hall presented the 2022 Road & Bridge budget requests; the requests were as follows: Bridge and Culvert $204,000, Noxious Weed $168,000, Road & Bridge $2,188,826, Road & Bridge Sales Tax $1,172,725, Special Bridge $196,000, Special Road Machinery $542,221 and Landfill $200,000.  Susan said she was concerned with the Landfill fund; she said it isn’t generating enough revenue to cover the cost of operating the Landfill.

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to move the discussion of the internet access to the County Counselors scheduled time, Jim seconded and all approved.

Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge presented her 2022 budget; she requested a total of $93,208.24.  She budgeted to start training her intern to work part-time at 20 hours a week.

Angel Wilson presented the County Attorney’s budget; she requested a total of $336,666.

Bobby Reed presented the Bourbon County Fair Board 2022 budget; he requested $10,000.

Judge Ward and Rhonda Cole presented the 2022 budget for District Court; they requested a total of $315,010.00.

Justin Meeks and Rob Harrington met with the Commissioners to discuss the NRP tax rebate program; Justin requested that the Commissioners hand the reins over to the Bourbon County Ready to do the promoting part of this program, he said the administrative process will still be the same.  Clifton made a motion to allow Bourbon County Ready to work with NRP for marketing and promoting the program, Jim seconded and all approved.

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda for an executive session, Jim seconded and all approved.

Clifton made a motion to have a 7-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships concerning a hospital tenant, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:12, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Rob Herrington).  Clifton made a motion to resume the meeting with action, Jim seconded and all approved.  Lynne made a motion to allow Rob and Clifton to negotiate a contract with a tenant at Mercy, Jim seconded and all approved.

Justin Meeks (regarding the donation of Mercy Hospital) said he had talked to the title Company and the commitment was emailed this morning; Clifton made a motion to allow Lynne to sign the donation agreement and closing documents and accept the donation, Jim seconded – Clifton added as long as the legal matters are in order, Michael Hoyt questioned the helipad, Justin said Mercy has a control of the helipad for 5 years, all approved the motion.

Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy regarding job duties, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:37, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Kendell Mason, Susan Bancroft and a non-elected personnel).   At 10:37, Clifton made a motion to return to the normal session with no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session for KSA 75-4310(b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures, dealing with law enforcement and infrastructure, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:49, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks, Shane Walker and Susan Bancroft).  At 10:49, Clifton made a motion to resume the meeting with action, Jim seconded and all approved.  Lynne made a motion to allow $200,000 of the ARPA funding to be spent on broadband and public safety, Jim seconded and all approved.  Lynne made a motion to give Rob Harrington permission to apply for grants for broadband activity, Jim seconded, Clifton said that according to KS. Gov there is extra money available for broadcast, all approved the motion.  Jim made a motion to give Shane Walker the authority to spend the funds, Clifton seconded and all approved.

Susan Bancroft met with the Commissioners; she said OMNI had contacted her regarding the $300,000 for the EMS outstanding collections.

Susan suggested having a budget work session; the 2022 budget work session will be held on July 13^th at 1:00 pm.

Susan said that the Health Department had requested to receive some of the ARPA funding.

Public Comment:  Anne Dare (regarding the budget process) said she trusted the Commissioners will look at each department and said with less pay and benefits the budget looks a little better; Clifton said the less we have the less services there will be.

Clifton made a motion that the Commissioners be able to attend a conference in KC regarding information on sports fields, Jim seconded and all approved.

Commissioner Comment: Lynne said he appreciated Josh Jones being on the radio with him to discuss shared services and co-locating; he said this is not consolidation, he said consolidation takes a vote by the people.  He said by doing shared services they are trying to save taxpayer money.

County Treasurer Patty Love presented the 2022 budget request; she requested a total of $166,296.50, she said 3 years ago her department staff was decreased by one person, but said she is understaffed, her budget request asked for an additional person and raises for her staff.  She said the majority of her staff is paid from the motor vehicle fund.

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to have an executive session, Jim seconded and all approved.  Clifton made a motion to have a 10-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss job duties and job performance, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:17, Jim seconded and all approved.  Clifton made a motion to resume the regular meeting with no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

At 11:17, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

July 6, 2021, Approved Date