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Commission Catch-up by Commissioner Mika Milburn, 12/15/25
Mika‘s Commission Catch-up 12/15/25
Consent agenda approved including AP Longevity Payroll Tax Corrections Resolution 42-25 Sale of Real Estate and 43-25 Driver license
JD Handley spoke to the commission asking for Soldier Road to be moved to the top of the List Commissioner Milburn insisted Public Works be included in the conversation.
Commissioners spoke briefly of the request to create a benefit district on 190th street
Mike Houston spoke to the commission about internal communications with elected officials
Janet Harper expressed her concerns with changes in how vacation accrual
Bill Martin addressed the phone invoice correcting the record
Commissioners approved resolutions 44-47/25 moving funds
A discussion took place on the salary resolution passed by the Commission and was decided it will go into effect on January 1
Commissioners approved the holiday schedule totaling 14 holidays presented by the clerk
Susan (clerk) discussed benefit termination with the commission and presented why it should change. Also included in the provided information was the 30 day waiting period for new hires
Susan (clerk) discussed benefit termination with the commission and presented why it should change. Also included in the provided information was the 30 day waiting period for new hires
A discussion took place about SEK Mental Health Board Members Commissioners Tran and Beerbower expressed concerns with what they considered negative aspects of the current structure Commissioner Milburn expressed concern of changing the current structure greatly and possibly effecting services and employment in our county so proposed we leave at least 1 board member and if a vote is made to remove waiting until they can be here to represent themselves Commissioner Beerbower made a motion to terminate 2 members Mardy Dewitt and Jeff Fischer Commissioner Tran second Commissioner Beerbower and Tran approved Commissioner Milburn opposed
Commissioner Milburn presented a resolution for current areas of responsibility at the courthouse regarding office space this resolution lays out who is responsible for which areas. Commissioner Milburn made a motion to approve resolution 48-25 Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Commissioner Tran and Beerbower discussed which realtor to hire to list 108 w 2nd street. Commissioner Milburn, beyond announcing that there was very low to no interest from realtors to list the property, recused herself to avoid any conflict of interest. The invitation to list was published in the paper and clerk sent out requests. Commissioner Beerbower made a motion to hire Stewart Realty to list 108 w 2nd street as they were the only one to return a proposal and market analysis Commissioner Tran second Commissioner Beerbower and Tran approved Commissioner Milburn abstained.
Commissioner Milburn presented a resolution written from recommendations from our HR Dr. Cohen This will enact changes to the manual pertaining to vacation accrual carryover and rehire date for benefit purposes, Commissioner Tran presented a compromise for a gap year and with that Commissioner Milburn made a motion to accept resolution 49-25 Commissioner Tran second with explanation. Commissioner Milburn and Tran approved Commissioner Beerbower voted against
Commissioners Discussed the sanitation issue at Hidden Valley Lake in Mapleton KS at the lake they have holding tanks not sewer or laterals and for over a year there have been leaking issues. The county Sent notice on April 5th and again on October 7th and with the change of the Commission this year the issue had no follow through. 2 weeks ago this was brought to this commission’s attention, the follow up assignment was given to Commissioner Milburn and commissioner Milburn has been making sure County Counselor Bob and County Attorney James are read in and have all of the information we need to move this forward.
Commissioner Milburn made a motion to move allocate 200k of Jail Sales Tax to allow David to hire a company to update and bring into compliance the elevator. Motion died for lack of second. Commissioner Tran requested Commissioner Milburn and David produce a statement of work for the commission to review.
Commissioner Beerbower proposed another noise resolution draft. Commissioner Milburn expressed concerns with enforcement, much like the issues we are having with the sewer enforcement. Commissioner Beerbower made a motion to accept Commissioner resolution 50-25 Noise Limitations Commissioner Tran second Commissioner Tran and Beerbower approved Commissioner Milburn opposed.
Planning Commission after working with Mel Has brought a recommendation /request to the commission to work with our county counselor to create a moratorium for a period of one year to allow the planning commission time to develop a comprehensive plan for unincorporated areas of Bourbon County KS The request is for the moratorium to apply to Utility level Power generation and storage systems included but not limited to Wind, Solar, BESS Nuclear Crypto Data Center Waste Disposal Commissioner Beerbower made a motion to ask county Counselor Bob To draft the document by Jan 5 for commission review Commissioner Tran second all approved
Commissioners discussed a date for budget amendment which departments and why there was a need
Obituary of Carolyn Sue Wenderott
In loving memory, Carolyn Sue Wenderott passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 89 in Fort Scott, KS. Born on November 17, 1936, in St. Mary’s, KS, Carolyn’s journey through life was marked by her unwavering strength and kindness.
Carolyn attended local Fort Scott Schools. Her professional life was devoted to clerical and administrative roles in the Fort Scott area.
Carolyn had a strong devotion to her family and friends. She was the beloved wife of Charlie Wenderott, who predeceased her in 2014.
Carolyn was a devoted mother to her children: Dave McGrew of Colorado Springs, CO; Christine Brown of Pittsburg, KS; Mark McGrew of Great Falls, MT; and Tamela Phalen of Hurricane, UT. She was also a stepmother to Mary Burcham, Julie Wenderott, and Debra Bell. Her life was further enriched by the joy and laughter of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her spirit of generosity and affection.
She was cherished by all her siblings. Those surviving include Clifford Burke of Springfield, MO, and Jim Rohrig of Gainesville, TX. Carolyn was predeceased by 5 of her siblings Frances Cox, David Burke, Delores Dighero, George Burke, and Myrna Turner.
In her younger years, Carolyn enjoyed bowling and raising her family. She also took great joy in nuturing her flower gardens. Carolyn was also an excellent cook, a skilled seamstress, and had a natural flair for decorating. Her home was a haven of warmth and beauty, welcoming to all who entered.
Carolyn Sue Wenderott’s memory will be cherished by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Her Family would like to thank all the caregivers of Credo Memory Care for their affection and compassion. Their dedication was unwavering and we are eternally grateful.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Tuesday, December 30th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan Program Announced
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Community Colleges: The Open Door Our Communities Cannot Afford to Close by Jack Welch
FROM THE BLEACHERS-741
BY DR. JACK WELCH
Community Colleges: The Open Door Our Communities Cannot Afford to Close
Community colleges and K–12 public schools share a common mission, but they are not identical. Both exist to serve the public and to provide opportunities to all students, not just those who fit a narrow definition of readiness or success. Public K–12 education is fully funded and mandated to educate every child.
Community colleges, while grounded in the same spirit of access and inclusion, operate under financial constraints that limit how broadly they can serve, based largely on what the state provides.
Community colleges exist for one central purpose: to serve all students with opportunity. In that sense, they closely resemble our public K–12 schools. Public education does not select who deserves to learn; it accepts the responsibility to educate everyone, students who are accelerated, students with special education needs, and students who require additional support. Although not the same, community colleges carry that same public trust into higher education, striving to meet student needs within the realities of limited funding.
For many students, the community college is the bridge between where they are and where they hope to be. If a student never graduated from high school, community colleges provide preparation and pathways to earn a GED. If a student struggles in core disciplines such as math, reading, or writing, community colleges offer tutoring and remedial education designed to strengthen foundational skills. These services are not optional extras; they are essential tools for educating and building a capable workforce.
Yet, instead of embracing this mission, some states have chosen not to properly fund remedial education. This decision raises a fundamental question: what is the alternative? If we deny educational support to those who need it most, we are not solving a problem, we are shifting it elsewhere. When people are excluded from education, communities pay the price through higher unemployment, increased dependence on public assistance, and, ultimately, higher crime rates. Education has always been the better, more cost-effective alternative.
The comparison to K–12 education is instructive. Public schools are legally and morally obligated to educate all students, regardless of ability or circumstance. Private schools, by contrast, are not required to accept everyone. The same divide is emerging in higher education.
Four-year institutions are increasingly offering associate degrees, yet they are not structured like community colleges. Large class sizes limit meaningful teacher-student relationships, and remedial tutoring systems are often inadequate or nonexistent. Many students are taught by graduate assistants rather than senior faculty, especially in the early years.
Community colleges do it differently, and better for this population. Faculty members are highly educated and focused on teaching. They instruct freshmen and sophomores with the same care and expertise that four-year universities reserve for juniors and seniors. Smaller class sizes, accessible professors, and built-in academic support give students a real chance to succeed from the start.
Community colleges are not lowering standards; they are raising people. If we truly believe in opportunity, public safety, and economic vitality, we must fund and support the institutions that educate everyone. Closing the door to remedial education does not strengthen our system, it weakens our communities.
Thought for the Week, “When we choose education over exclusion, we invest not only in individual potential but in the strength, safety, and future of our entire community.” Jack Welch, President of Fort Scott Community College.
Jack Welch, Ed.D
President
Fort Scott Community College
254-368-7447
Walk with Ease Begins January 26th
Walk with Ease Begins January 26th
Need a free, safe, and warm physical activity option? A six-week Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program starts January 26th! The class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Bronson Community Building, located at 509 Clay Street. Call 620-244-3826 to enroll.
Walk with Ease Benefits to You:
- Walk safely and comfortably
- Improve flexibility, strength, and stamina
- Reduce pain and improve health
- Motivate yourself with others!
This free walking program includes health education, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. The program consists of a guidebook and a walking schedule to get you safely moving toward better health.
Walk with Ease is made available by a partnership between K-State Extension and the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 29
Commission Catch-up by Commissioner Mika Milburn 12/8/2025
Mika‘s Commission Catch-up 12/8/2025
During Public Comments Commission heard comment from ROD Laura requesting additional space would like suite 10 that the commission has been prepping for driver lic services
Taxpayer wanted to express his opinion on how the elected officials work together
Gregg Motley announced his resignation as Board Member of Freeman and announced that the CMS survey should be done by the end of year.
Deanna Betts with Bourbon County Core Community spoke about the work they have been doing to help families get out of poverty
Meeting Minutes for Dec 1 were tabled to the Dec 15 Meeting
Commissioner Milburn made a motion to move the charges for Locksmith from Commission to IT Department charges. Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Commissioners met with Attorney Billenberg who represented the commission and the Attorneys for the solar company to meet a resolve litigation on the current projects
Following Executive session Commissioner Beerbower motioned to adopt removal of moratorium Tran Second Milburn asked for discussion, commissioners called a short recess, after recess Commissioner Beerbower motioned to rescind motion on the table Tran second all approved, The commission opened the topic up to the public to comment as this topic has been a long discussion. After public input from Randy Mcnalty, Mary Pemberton the commission voted to approve resolutions 39-41/25 pertaining to solar moratorium /agreements. Commissioner Beerbower made a motion to approve settlement agreements and contribution agreements with Hinton and Tenyson Creek Tran second all approved.
A speaker came to speak to the commission about SBA Loans
Public works presented a culvert request to the commission for 2222 35th street Commissioner Milburn made a motion to approve Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Public works announced that the bridge at fern is done and they will get the load rating sign installed
140th street speed limit discussion tabled to 12/15
Commissioner Milburn announced the annex is being done for the 6th Judicial and they would begin moving in.
Commissioner Milburn motion to sign resolution 38-25 for the 6th judicial Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Commissioner Milburn made a motion to sign real property relief application at 2453 Jayhawk road due to a loss from fire Commissioner Beerbower Second all approved
Commissioner Tran made a motion to rescind motion from last week to move 200k from inmate fund to general Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Dec 22 and Dec 29 meetings are canceled as Commissioner Beerbower and Tran are unavailable.
We will need fund amendments for -Appraiser- Landfill – Public Safety – Jail Sales Tax so a timeline for a meeting will need to be worked out for this
Road Closure for 267th street between lot 13 and 16 will need to be published hold a public hearing.
Commissioner Milburn presented a resolution establishing the procedures to sell of Bourbon County KS owned real estate through a licensed Real Estate Broker.
Commissioner Milburn moved to sign resolution 42-25 for the sale of real estate. Commissioner Beerbower second all approved.
Commissioner Milburn was tasked with writing a letter for the clerk to send to all realtors offering 6% and asking for submission of Market analysis presentations. Commissioner Beerbower and Commissioner Tran will then decide who to hire.
Commissioner Milburn presented a resolution to provide space in suite 10 to the state driver lic office this resolution follows the current contract the DL office currently held with 108 w 2nd street. Commissioner Milburn made a motion to accept resolution 43-25 a resolution for office space for the kdor driver lic division Commissioner Beerbower second all approved
Passed resolutions that have not yet been signed will be brought back next week to sign.
Tap into the Prince of Peace by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Tap into the Prince of Peace
It’s interesting that after 2,000 years, Americans are still paying taxes and celebrating the birth of Christ in the same month. These two combined expenses may cause some people to tap into their savings account. When we tap into something, we then have access to resources and can establish a connection to make a “withdrawal” for whatever we need. I will often tap into my family and friends for information and opinions on situations that I know they have personal experience. It’s important and wise that we take
advantage of the benefits that have been made available to us.
God sent Jesus into the world to demonstrate His love, provide the perfect and only sacrifice for sin, and establish a new and better covenant with mankind. Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament: “For a child will be born for us, a Son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 CSB).
The night when Jesus was born, the angel told the lowly shepherds to go and find the Babe. Born in a stable, the Prince of Peace was accessible to the public but nobody showed up but the shepherds. That Baby in the manger was a gift of truest love straight from the heavenly Father. Jesus grew up, increased in wisdom and stature, redeemed sinners, and fulfilled His mission as the Savior of the world. The Son of God continues to be available for all who will tap into Him for salvation and receive the abundant life.
Having spent 33 years in the everyday life of a world of broken people and systems, Jesus knew the importance of a deep peace that could only come from Him. “I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Believers have been made more than conquerors through the blood of Jesus.
Sometimes people are looking for peace in all the wrong places. But when we find Jesus we find the Prince of Peace. “May the Lord Himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 GNT). When the bottom falls out of our world, we can rely on the Lord’s peace to get us through it.
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness” (Colossians 3:15 MSG). “Never underestimate the power of a seed of peace: the power of a kind word, a seed of apology, a phone call, an explanation” (Max
Lucado). The most important gifts are usually the ones that cost our pride. Perhaps you should consider offering the gift of peace to a broken relationship this Christmas. Mending fences isn’t easy, but it’s worth the humbling effort in order to have peace in your heart, mind, and soul.
As children of our heavenly Father, we oftentimes live beneath our privileges. Everything we need to handle life is found in Christ. Believers need to tap into Jesus for all He’s worth! We can experience a lasting peace that surpasses understanding through our relationship with Jesus. As our Savior and Lord, we have access to His divine peace every day.
The Key: Believers need to tap into the Prince of Peace; He never runs out of His Name.
Pie Baking Class
Starting 2026 Strong with K-State Extension – Southwind District
As we close out 2025 and welcome a new year, it is a perfect time to reflect on the past and look ahead to new goals, fresh opportunities, and continued growth. K-State Extension- Southwind District remains committed to serving our communities through practical, research-based education and support for residents of all ages. As 2026 begins, we are excited to highlight the services available to help individuals, families, farms, and communities start the year strong.
Southwind’s 4-H Youth Development, led by Extension Agents Jennifer Terrell and Kendal Henson, continues to be a cornerstone of Extension programming. Youth have opportunities to participate in local 4-H clubs, camps, project-based learning, leadership activities, and competitive events that build confidence and real-world skills. Extension also offers school enrichment programs and career exploration experiences designed to prepare young people for future success while remaining engaged in their communities.
Through Family and Consumer Sciences, Extension Agents Tara Solomon Smith and Sandy Haggard provide services that support healthy families and strong households. Programs include nutrition education, healthy cooking classes, food preservation workshops, and food safety education. Extension also offers Senior Insurance Counseling, aging well programs, and overall wellness education, helping families set positive habits and goals as the new year begins.
The Southwind District proudly supports local producers through Agriculture and Natural Resources programming offered by Extension Agents Hunter Nickell and Lonnie Mengarelli. Services include research-based information on crop and livestock production, pasture and forage management, soil health, pest management, pond management, and conservation practices. Producers can also receive assistance with farm management decisions, recordkeeping, and navigating changes in agricultural technology and markets.
Homeowners and gardeners can work with Horticulture Extension Agent Krista Harding for assistance with insect identification, plant and weed identification, lawn and garden troubleshooting, tree and shrub care, and general gardening questions. Research-based recommendations help residents plan and maintain successful gardens and landscapes throughout the year.
Community Vitality programming, led by Extension Agent Amanda Clasen, helps strengthen local economies and support thriving communities. Services include entrepreneurship education, youth and adult business programs, community planning support, facilitation for local groups, and financial literacy education. By working alongside community members, Extension helps towns identify opportunities, address challenges, and plan for a sustainable future.
One of the greatest strengths of K-State Extension is its local presence. Extension services are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the unique needs of our communities. Whether you are setting personal goals, managing a farm or business, raising a family, or serving your community, Extension is here to help you move forward in the new year.
As we step into 2026, K-State Extension Southwind District looks forward to continuing to serve as a trusted resource and partner. We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year. To learn more about upcoming programs and services, contact your local Extension office or visit southwind.k-state.edu.
Radon: The Silent Threat Beneath Your Home by Tara Solomon-Smith
Radon: The Silent Threat Beneath Your Home
Radon is a gas that comes from the ground. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it—but it can make you very sick. Breathing radon for a long time can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the number one cause for people who don’t smoke.
Why should you care?
In Kansas, approximately one out of every four homes has excessive radon levels. Each year, about 200 people in Kansas get lung cancer from radon. The only way to know if your home is safe is to test it.
Testing is easy and cheap.
You can buy a radon test kit for $9 at K-State Extension offices in Iola, Erie, Fort Scott, and Yates Center. Put the kit on the lowest level of your home where people spend time, leave it for a few days, then mail it in. If your test score is 4.0 or higher, your home needs attention.
What if your home has high radon?
Don’t worry—radon can be fixed. A special system can pull radon out from under your house and send it outside. Most systems cost between $800 and $2,500, and they typically work within one day. After fixing, test again to ensure your home remains safe.
Want to learn more? Join a free 30-minute Radon 101 Webinar:
- Jan 6 – Noon
- Jan 13 – 2 PM
- Feb 3 – 6 PM
Register here: https://shorturl.at/B1jCa
Visit www.kansasradonprogram.org or call 620-244-3826. Don’t wait—test today to protect your family.