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All posts by Submitted Story
Gov. Kelly: Paying Down Debts, Paying Cash For Projects
Kelly Administration Saves Taxpayers Over $750M by Retiring Debt and
Paying Cash for Projects
~~Fiscal Responsibility is ‘Transformative’ for Kansas~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that actions taken by her administration in Fiscal Year 2022, including paying down debts incurred by the Brownback Administration and paying cash for projects, have saved Kansans $754.2 million in interest payments.
“By prioritizing fiscal responsibility, we have put Kansas back on track and ready for the road ahead,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration has managed our budget wisely in order to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and axe taxes – all while making historic investments in our schools, infrastructure, and law enforcement.”
In Fiscal Year 2022 (July 2021 through June 2022), the Kelly Administration used the budget surplus to retire debt early and pay for projects with cash rather than through issuing bonds. The Administration paid down $1.6 billion in debt, saving $632.0 million in interest payments, and will pay cash for $203.0 million of new capital projects, saving Kansans more than $100 million in interest that would have otherwise accumulated through bonds.
These savings also include saving Kansans $22.2 million in interest by paying off the nearly $100 million of a $200 million transportation bond that was issued in 2012.
“Utilizing our surplus to pay down this level of debt in one year – while simultaneously building our reserves to record levels – is a transformative event,” Adam Proffitt, State Budget Director, said. “This will insulate our budget from potential future economic volatilities, which will provide fiscal stability, allowing us to continue to fund critical services for all Kansans for years to come.”
These savings include paying off debt to KPERS, for the KBI Lab at Washburn University, and for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, among others.
Ammoniating Wheat Straw, A Potential Feed Source in Drought?
Southeast Kansas has been in a severe drought for most of this year’s growing season.
Poor crop and pasture yields have led to limited feed options and increased forage price tags for cattle producers.
Two thousand twelve offered very similar conditions to the Plains they could get their hands on.
One option many Kansas producers found was to ammoniate wheat straw.
Wheat straw is widely considered a poor forage that is better served as bedding, but research conducted by Kansas State University shows ammoniating bales can greatly improve protein content
and digestibility. Wheat straw typically tests around 3.3% crude protein and 31% in–vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Ammoniation rates of 1.5% (lbs anhydrous ammonia/dry matter lbs wheat straw) can increase crude protein content to 8.6% and IVDMD to 42%. An ammoniation rate of 3% increased
crude protein to 10.8% and IVDMD to 46.2%.
The process of ammoniating wheat straw is not overly complicated. An area large enough to hold the stacks of bales will need to be cleared, with some soil pulled away to be used later. Bales
should be gathered in rows and stacked in a pyramid (three bales on the base, two on the second level and one on top). The entire stack should be covered with a black plastic sheet, about 6 to 8 mm thick. A 40’ x 100’ sheet can cover 12 rows of pyramid–stacked bales. The edges of the plastic should hit theground and be covered with loose soil to seal the bales inside the plastic. Any holes in the sheet will
need to be patched with tape. Next, a pipe (6 – 8 ft long) should be placed on the ground and inserted into the center of the stack. Attach the pipe to the anhydrous tank and slowly empty
Once the stacks of bales are covered, it is time to let the anhydrous ammonia go to work. The ammoniation process is dependent on heat, so the straw will be ready to feed sooner with warmer
temperatures. Average temperatures above 86°F will need to be sealed for one week, temperatures between 59 – 86°F need to remain sealed for two to four weeks, and temperatures below 59°F need to remain sealed for up to eight weeks. The October 2021 average daily high and low temperatures at the
Kansas Mesonet Station near Uniontown, KS were 71°F and 51°F, respectively. With expectations of a warmer than average October for 2022, we could expect the ammoniation process to take around 4 weeks if started the first week of October.
Now, what is the cost?
Any producer who fertilized his pasture or crop ground this past spring knows that fertilizer prices have gone through the roof, especially compared to 2012, when producers were using this
alternative feed source.
The price of anhydrous ammonia at Midwest Fertilizer in Iola, Kansas, was $1,206.67 as of Sept 28, 2022. That equates to $0.60/lb. A 40’x100’ sheet of black plastic can seal a row of 12 pyramids.
Assume a tightly wrapped wheat straw bale (tightly wrapped bales work better for ammoniating) weigh on average 1100lbs. 72 total bales, at 90% dry matter, means you will have roughly 35.64 dry tons of wheat straw to ammoniate.
1.5% rate will require 1,069.2 lbs anhydrous ammonia
1,069.2lbs x $0.60/lb = $641.52 = $18/dry ton wheat straw
3.0% rate will require 2,138.4 lbs anhydrous ammonia
2,138.4lbs x $0.60.lb = $1,283.04 = $36/dry ton wheat straw
Anhydrous ammonia will not be the only cost associated with this process. Let’s assume another
$15/dry ton wheat straw to account for fuel, the plastic sheeting, labor, and other miscellaneous costs.
This will bring our cost of ammoniating wheat straw to:
1.5% rate: $33/dry ton wheat straw
3.0% rate: $51/dry ton wheat straw
Today’s prices may make the decision more challenging than it was in 2012, but with prairie hay
trading in southeast Kansas at $100–130/ton and wheat straw only trading at $60/ton, ammoniating
wheat straw is an option for those lacking feed this fall.
For more questions regarding ammoniating wheat straw and other forage questions, contact
Chad Guthrie, crop production and forage management agent, or Hunter Nickell, Livestock Production
Agent at any Southwind Extension District office. Locations in Erie, Fort Scott, Iola, and Yates Center.
Disclaimer: Caution should be taken as anhydrous ammonia is a dangerous chemical. Releasing the
anhydrous too quickly could cause the plastic sheeting to rupture. The plastic will also balloon out
during the ammoniation process, so strong winds, hail, or wildlife could puncture the plastic.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 3
Stuffing Everywhere by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Several years ago, when our son was in college and still living at home, he had a beautiful fawn Boxer. I grew up with dogs living outside, but we made an exception for Gus to live indoors because he was such a smart, lovable, and loyal companion. Aaron took responsibility for house training him and all was well — until the evening all three of us left Gus home alone. I guess he got terribly bored, emotionally strung out, or so lonesome he could cry. Anyway, after being gone, I was the first to enter the living room. Gus was just quietly sitting there, but he had eaten the couch and strewn the stuffing all over the floor. I don’t know exactly why he ate such a strange supper. Fortunately, that couch needed to be replaced anyway, so I thought the furniture casualty was extremely funny!
Let’s drop the “ing” from “stuffing” and just focus on “stuff.“ God is greater than stuff (hard times). A partial list of stuff that we might encounter could be: career disappointments, various losses (death, divorce, job) sickness, financial setbacks, family heartaches, etc. But be of good cheer because believers are not up a creek without a paddle. We have this wonderful promise, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NLT).
The devil will tell you that your situation is hopeless. But there’s not an iota of truth in that lie. Jesus was speaking to the crowd about the devil and said, “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT).
Christ followers are to practice trusting God every day through thick and thin. Otherwise, we’ll live in worry, fear, anxiety, and doubt and that‘s a miserable way to survive. If we fail to trust God and His promises, we’re actually being prideful in thinking we can handle our stuff by ourselves. Having a deep-seated confidence in God proves that we believe He has the solution when we don’t. God says, “I will…make Trouble Valley a Door of Hope” (Hosea 2:15 GNT). God takes care of His children in a precarious world. We can move forward if we’ll trust Him to direct and help us.
When stuff (hard times and challenges) happens, don’t allow the devil to fill your mind with his garbage of anxiety. Make a stout decision to trust God to pull you through the knothole. You can be more than a survivor, you can be an overcomer through Christ. He has experienced every temptation we have and He will help us press through to victory. He said He would never leave us alone and we can take that to the bank.
“To depend” means you can believe in, rely on, bank on, count on, lean on, and pin your hopes on someone who‘s proven to be trustworthy. Written by Randy Phillips and recorded by Janet Paschal, “You Can Depend on Jesus” really brings this truth down where we live: “It’s fairly easy what you need to do, Invest your trust in One who’s tried and true; The Ageless Stone will stand alone when all the sifting sands of life have come and gone. You can depend on Jesus, you can depend on Him. As He was yesterday, tomorrow He’ll be the same. You can depend, you can depend on Him.”
The Key: When life’s cushion falls apart at the seams and stuffing is everywhere, you can depend on God to help clean up the mess.
Health Champion Award Nominations Sought
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The nomination deadline for the 2023 Health Champion Award has been . The Governor’s Council on Fitness is excited to partner with the Salina Crossroads Marathon to provide entry to the Salina Crossroads Marathon, Half Marathon, 4.01K, Family Run/Walk and Team Relays on November 5th in Salina, KS.
Anyone who submits a nomination for an individual or an organization for Health Champion will receive a code to register for free to the event of their choice.
The nominee will also receive free entry!
Kansas Health Champion Award Nomination: http://www.getactivekansas.org/…/Health_Champion…Salina Crossroads Marathon website: https://www.runsalinacrossroads.com/
Send your nominations in today for your community’s champion! Organizations, individuals, worksites…anyone!
Jody Hoener The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. President and CEO, 620-215-2892, 104 North National,Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 4
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: October 4, 2022
1st District-Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
- Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
- Delwin Mumbower – Burn Ban Update
- Lora Holdridge—South East Kansas Regional County Officials Meeting
- Clifton Beth – SEK Area Agency on Aging – Board Opening
- Ashley Shelton – Gas Price Lock In
- Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
- Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
- Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
- Public Comment
- Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Why is Bourbon County Shrinking? Agriculture by Gregg Motley
Changes in how we produce food has to be the number one reason rural America and Bourbon County (BB) are shrinking; however, agriculture continues to be a major economic influence in small communities and the number one industry in BB. Consider the following 2017 statistics about BB agriculture from the State of Kansas:
Total acres in BB: 406,701 Acres farmed: 335,935, or 82.6%
Total farm employment: 821, or about one in ten workers
Agricultural product sales: $79 million
Cattle population: 71,079, or about 5 cows per BB resident
In the State of Kansas, agricultural produced $8.8 billion in product in 2017, which was 4.6% of the $192.3 billion total Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) for the State. Nationally, agricultural was 7.7% of the GDP in 1930; by 2002, that percentage had fallen to 0.7%. It is not that agriculture has produced less; rather, our economy has become much more diversified, and most of that has occurred in urban areas. Kansas remains 6.6 times more dependent upon agriculture than the average state.
What about agricultural employment? In 1900, 41% of the labor force in the United States of American (“USA”) were agricultural workers; by 2002, that number had fallen to 1.9% of the labor force. It is easy to see that this 20th Century megatrend has impacted rural America to a far greater extent than their urban counterparts.
It is not hard to discern how this happened. At the beginning of the 20th Century, the industry relied upon horses and mules for the heavy lifting around the farm; these animals, which required care and feeding as well, were replaced by about 5 million tractors and other vehicles and implements. This mechanization, along with improved methodologies, has driven farm consolidation; while the number of farms in the USA has dropped 63%, the average farm size has increased by 67%. Additionally, in 1930, about one-third of farmers earned off-farm income; 70 years later, that number was 93%.
The impact on rural American has not only been devastating in terms of population, but culture. In 1900, about 60% of rural Americans were farmers; the number is about 20% now, and 10% in BB. Once culturally dominate in rural communities, they are now relegated to the sidelines. Anecdotally, when I grew up in a farm community in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, farmers occupied the key roles in government around the county, including commissioners and school board members; that is seldom the case now.
This is another national megatrend that was out of the control of rural American communities, and characterizes the nature of our demise. No one is to blame, it is all a part of living in a small community with wide open spaces.
Next week, I will take a deep dive into the dramatic increase in government regulations which has further strained rural American businesses, driving many of them to close down or to sell to larger companies. It is another key factor in why BB is shrinking.
Ascension Via Christi transitions Care Van program to Community Health Center
Ascension Via Christi will be transitioning its Care Van program to Southeast Kansas Community Health Center as of Nov. 1.
“Our goal when we established the Care Van program was to ensure our community’s residents had access to their medical services and appointments,” says Charlotte Russell, physician services director at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “We are happy that this
transition will still allow Pittsburg residents that convenience through the Community Health Center, which aligns with our overall goal of ensuring rural Kansans’ have continued access to
close-to-home care.”
To continue using the Care Van program after Oct. 31, patients will need to call 620-231-9873 to schedule their transportation.
“We want to ask that you join us in thanking our Ascension Via Christi Care Van team for their hard work and dedication to our Mission and the Pittsburg community,” says Russell.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Tips to Affording Health Insurance for Women
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What’s Happening in Fort Scott Sept. 30 Newsletter
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Agenda for the Bourbon County Coalition for Oct. 5
Patty Simpson will be acting as chairman.
As of today, September 30, the Bourbon County Coalition has assisted 19 families with 56 children for an approximate expenditure of $4,885.00 for the first nine months of 2022, according to chairwoman Billie Jo Drake.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
October 5, 2022
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be November 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.