March 2, 2026

Statement on Recent Conduct of Bourbon County Commissioners

At last weeks meeting, during a very intense discussion concerning pay entry, commissioners thought it appropriate to laugh which was then followed by the question,  “Are we talking about feelings again?”  This inappropriateness has raised significant concerns within our community. The comment, was not only dismissive but also undermined the importance of understanding, respect, and civil discourse—values that I expect from public officials.

Such behavior is wholly inappropriate for those who hold positions of responsibility and leadership within our government. Public servants are entrusted with representing the diverse needs and concerns of other elected officials, county employees and constituents. The conduct of all elected officials should reflect a commitment to respectful and productive dialogue. Dismissing important conversations with such comments compromises the trust the public places in your ability to move our county forward.

The ramifications of statements such as this extend beyond just the immediate impact on the individuals involved. It sends a harmful message that you have the inability to listen and fosters a toxic environment where important topics are not taken seriously. Leaders must set an example by treating all matters, especially those that have a direct impact on the financial responsibility of the county, with utmost care and understanding. This kind of behavior risks alienating the very people whom our elected officials are meant to serve.

Tonight, because of the ever increasing distrust that you have created in this organization and actions unbecoming of a commissioner that violate the bullying policy in the employee handbook and your own code of conduct, I call for the immediate resignations of Commissioners Tran and Milburn-Kee and call for Commissioner Beerbower to step down as vice chair and be ineligible for the chairman position for 1 year effective immediately.

The “optics” aren’t good.

I urge the 2 remaining Commissioners and all other elected officials to reflect on the impact of such actions and endeavor to engage in a more respectful and constructive dialogue moving forward. It is essential that you demonstrate a commitment to upholding the values of respect, accountability, and empathy that our community expects from those in positions of power.

What’s the end game? If FWA is found and I have no doubt that there is waste and abuse, fraud? You better have your ducks in a row. You can fire your employees but and elected official not so easy.

Every meeting you continue to communicate an unbelievable amount of trust to everyone at every level. There has been no effort at team work. No one wants to talk to you never mind work with you.

I see effort after effort being made from other elected officials and employees to understand and try and implement the changes you have mandated but the cooperation is only one sided.

If you go forward you should want this investigation to be as honest and fair as possible which means hiring totally independent firm. That is already being done. Through the accounting firm hired for the yearly audit. Using someone already employed by the county would jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.

It amazes me how every week you find new ways to communicate your lack of trust to employees that have worked so hard for many years. The experience and knowledge base that you have so easily dismissed has already set out county back years. Without an influx of talent and money the county will never be on stable ground again.

The action of 14-26 is one such example to continue to perpetuate distrust. While being on a witch hunt to punish a few you have punished all. That might have flown in the military world but that doesn’t fly here. These are real people with real families working hard to effect change not only for themselves but also for the county.

A favored statement used to be “trust but verify.” based on recent actions the trust has flown the coup. Another one is we need to be a “team.” This is also a concept that has gone by the way side.

Someone has sold the 3 of you a bill of goods because of their own animosity towards those that work her and their lust for power. Mark my words, some day they will come calling asking for favors that will take FWA to provide.

I call again for the immediate resignation for Commissioners Tran and Milburn.

Tran for his lack of leadership and refusal to meet in December of 2025 to pass budget amendments. These amendments are significant and will once again give the county budget violations and a long term unfavorable rating in the financial world.

Tran resign as chairman and be barred from chairman/vice chair positions for 1yr effective immediately.

Milburn-

July 2025 was appointed HR liaison-

Hired and executive assistant

A$2000 dollar laptop purchased that doesn’t support CIC(FWA)

Mika appointed as the KPERS rep or the Kansas Dept of Labor rep.

Mika seen in the evenings in the office at a computer.

The same office where employee record are kept. This is illegal according to KAR 1-13-1b, KSA 45-216, and KSA 45-221. She admitted to being in that office every weekend on 2/19/2026.

Mika barred from Chair/vice chair positions for 1yr effective immediately.

David to resign as vice chair and be declared in-illegible from the chair/vice chair position for 1yr effective immediately.

Mika- cease and desist from using the small back office where employee files are kept. Remove immediate access to anything having to do with payroll, payentry. KPERS, KWORCC’s, Kansas dept of Labor information, health benefit information, vacation and sick leave and any other function involving employees including the removal or access of admins to any entity in need of one. She shall also stop any and all communication with HR, Payroll and IT, and any and all functions of the courthouse.

These actions will cause the executive assistant, clerk and treasurer to communicate. If any one of these office cannot find the ability to do so then the probably better be finding new employment.

These actions will also remove you from acting as county administrators from which the citizens did not vote for.

I call for the immediate termination of contracts from HR, payroll and IT, the county counselor and for those duties to be returned to their respect offices. Funds spent in these areas will be divided and placed in IT accounts in each elected officials accounts to be used individually or collectively for the IT services of their choosing.

I call for key to be given to the register of deeds so that she can access the equipment she uses and was paid for from her accounts.

All actions and resolutions and information to back up the need for an action or resolution shall be provided to ALL commissioners. No vote will be taken for two weeks to give commissioners an appropriate amount of time to digest and assimilate the information.

No items shall be added to the agenda except those things that are deemed emergencies by all commissioners. Such as physical disasters of fire, tornado flooding or the like.

Your fellow elected officials have been at their jobs for quite some time and have an intimate understanding of the every facet of their respective organizations and deserve to have the ability to talk to any other entity within the county without having to get permission or worse yet accompanied by a commissioner.

You have moved from “trust but verify” to destroy and cleanup later.

There is no I in team but that’s what you’ve done.

I can give grace when I see active learning and understanding happening.

Stop the outsource bleed to those who have little to no understanding of how county government works.

Anne Dare

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