All posts by Submitted Story

Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for April 6

Leave a comment

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 1st Floor County Courthouse

210 S National Avenue

April 6, 2023, 9:00 AM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 3/30/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $211,174.87
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $302,712.05
    4. Approval of Miscellaneous Disbursement Checks totaling $13,719.41
  1. Department Updates
    1. Public Works Director
  2. Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  3. Resolution 10-23 Proclamation of a State of Local Disaster for Bourbon County
  • Public Comments
  • Commission Comments
  1. Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Obituary

Memorial Service For Allen Dale Soverns Jr.

Leave a comment

Allen Dale “AJ” Soverns, Jr., age 40, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 30, 2023, at his home.  There was cremation.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 15th, at Gunn Park Shelter House #6.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the AJ Soverns Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER ANNUAL CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR April 20th

Leave a comment
 The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.

 

FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces their 2023 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration will take place Thursday, April 20th at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak Street in Downtown Fort Scott.  The theme this year is “Let’s Get Fired Up and Celebrate Our Community!” where the event will be a fun evening of recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a great impact on Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

All are welcome to attend, and reservations can be made online at fortscott.com/events or by calling the Chamber at 620-223-3566.  The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 14th.  The evening will begin with a social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and live auction at 6:30pm.  Reservations are $40 for individuals and table pricing for a table of eight is $360.  Dinner will be catered by Brickstreet BBQ.

The Chamber is accepting businesses and organizations to decorate tables for advertising and promotion and is also accepting donations for the silent and live auctions.  Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email rsvp@fortscott.com by Friday, April 14th to make reservations.

 

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Creating a Healthier Park with Fire

Leave a comment

 

Prescribed Fire Planned in April

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five-acre restored prairie this April 2023.  The soonest date will be this Friday, April 7, if conditions are safe and will meet the park’s goals. The specific date and ignition will depend upon weather conditions and the burn may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unfavorable.

 

“We are looking forward to implementing this prescribed fire (Rx) project with the assistance of our interagency neighbors. Our ability to treat the tallgrass prairie with fire enhances the resilience of the ecosystem, results in a more diverse prairie, and provides a better habitat for migratory birds and pollinators.” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. Like all prescribed fires, the plans for the tallgrass prairie Rx contain a set of parameters which define (among other things) the expected weather and fuel conditions under which the fire can be initiated. Prior to implementing the burn, fire managers will evaluate current conditions and will only ignite the fire if all of the prescribed conditions are within those parameters.

 

During typical Rx fire activity, daytime smoke disperses to the northwest, up and over the highway.  Coordination with the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas State Highway Patrol, and Kansas Department of Transportation is already underway for this prescribed fire.  Smoke impacts or traffic delays on Highway 69 are not expected during the burn.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo: NPS Photo/M. Brenner

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

5 Comments
Caryn Tyson

 

March 31, 2023

 

Too many bills to mention Last week the Senate worked over 75 bills in three days.  It was a grueling schedule.  All of the bills can be found at www.KSLegislature.org  Below are a few highlights from the marathon of legislation.

 

Property Tax was discussed in some detail on the Senate floor regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that I requested, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1610.  It would limit property valuations to a maximum 3% increase each year.  According the Revisors office (lawyers), this change must be made in the Constitution.  It was modeled after Oklahoma and Oregon, states that use fair market value systems, similar to Kansas.  A couple of Senators argued that it would take us out of compliance of fair market value and some owners would be paying more because they remodeled or sold their home.  However, the more important argument in support of the 3% limit is why should you be paying higher property taxes if your neighbor sells or remodels their home?  Oklahoma and Oregon have had valuation limits for over 25 years.  It will not break the Kansas system, but it will keep property owners from these massive property tax valuation increases in one year.  It does not stop local governments and schools from increasing your property taxes, via mil levy increases, but it does stop these super-inflated valuation increases and the burden of contesting them.  The SCR must pass both chambers by 2/3 majority.  It failed in the Senate on a vote of 26 to 14.  If one Senator who voted no, will change their vote Monday 4/3/23, it would go to the House for a vote.  It is a step in the right direction for limiting these massive property valuation increases.

 

Freedom from Government Competition is the intent of Senate Bill (SB) 252.  Businesses should not have to compete against their government.  There are government ran businesses in Kansas, creating an unfair advantage and SB 252 would help level the playing field.  If the Department of Revenue decides that your business is competing against a government business in your city then sales and property tax for your business would be exempt.  It passed the Senate 24 to 16.  I voted Yes.

 

Environmental Social Governance (ESG)  is a rating system established to encourage politically charged investments, such as stopping investments in the oil and gas industry.  The Kansas Senate took a major step in prohibiting state agencies and other political subdivisions from giving preferential treatment to or discriminating against companies based on ESG criteria.  I offered an amendment that would prohibit state investments in countries that are known foreign advisories to the U.S., such as China and others.  All investments must be divested within 18 months.  We should have never been invested in these countries.  The amendment passed.  The bill passed the Senate 29 to 11.  I voted Yes.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Ascension Via Christi

Via Christi’s Program To Increase Breastfeeding/Duration Rates Earns Recognition

Leave a comment

Pittsburg’s Ascension Via Christi Hospital

earns High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has once again earned recognition by High 5 for Mom & Baby, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

“I’m very proud of our team and the work they do to continue to promote breastfeeding for our moms and babies,” says Janelle Wade, director of Inpatient Services, which includes Women’s Health. “They understand the importance and the health benefits that breastfeeding provides newborns.”

Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg first received High 5 recognition in 2018 and has maintained it each year since that time. High 5 for Mom & Baby provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals implement 10 evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain recognition, each facility must complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and demonstrate that it follows at least five of its 10 evidence-based practices:

  • Have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all 10 High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
  • Maintain staff competency in lactation support
  • Provide all expectant mothers with information and instruction on breastfeeding
  • Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
  • Provide all families individualized infant feeding counseling
  • Give no food or drink to newborns other than breast milk unless medically indicated
  • Allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
  • Encourage feeding whenever the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
  • Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
  • Provide mothers with information about community resources for breastfeeding support following their discharge from the hospital

These steps are designed to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in the state of Kansas. Factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six out of 10 mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they had planned.

“Our goal is to provide the support that mothers and babies need to be successful at breastfeeding,” says Miranda Caskey, RN, the certified lactation consultant who led the hospital’s High 5 for Mom & Baby efforts.

That support is critical, which is why Ascension Via Christi converted its lactation and childbirth education classes to virtual offerings led by a registered nurse and offer them at no cost to parents. Breastfeeding mothers also can schedule in-person follow-up appointments and weight checks with Caskey to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.

Learn more about Labor and Delivery or sign up for a class at Ascension Via Christi by visiting viachristibaby.com.

 

 

###

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.

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

Leave a comment


America Needs a Fair & Transparent Organ Transplant System
For years, Senator Roy Blunt and I raised the alarm about the nation’s fundamentally unfair and biased organ transplant system. Our warnings were heeded when the Department of Health and Human Services announced its intent to overhaul the organ transplant system.

Breaking up the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) contract and adding transparency to the process are good first steps to rectify the fundamental bias in the system dominated by a monopolistic contractor. Getting the organ transplant and donation system right is a matter of life and death. There is no room for bias, reckless mistakes or an opaque process. It is important to continue oversight and make certain the organ donation process is transparent and fair so that more organs can be donated and more lives saved.

Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course on April 6

Leave a comment

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, April 6th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course located at 2414 Horton St. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Fort Scott’s Woodland Hills Golf Course was named a Top 10 golf course in Kansas by Best Things Kansas and number 6 in the entire state. Woodland Hills has also been named one of the best municipal courses in Kansas. Woodland Hills is an 18-hole park-style course, winding through beautiful scenery, with elevation changes and some of the best views in Bourbon County. Come enjoy one of Southeast Kansas’s hidden treasures at the Woodland Hills Golf Course.

 

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Government, Kansas

KS March Taxes Surpass Estimate

Leave a comment

Governor Kelly Announces March Total Tax Collections Surpass Estimate by Nearly $65 Million

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that total tax collections for March 2023 were $758.3 million. That is $64.9 million, or 9.4%, more than the monthly estimate. That is also $78.7 million, or 11.6%, more than March 2022.

“Time and again, we have exceeded our estimated tax collections, providing further proof that we can responsibly axe taxes on groceries, retirement, and property for Kansans,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

Individual income tax collections were $314.6 million. That is $438,000 less than the estimate but $16.4 million, or 5.5%, more than March 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $102.6 million, which is $75.6 million, or 279.9%, more than the estimate and $74.9 million, or 271.1%, more than March 2022.

Combined sales and compensating use tax receipts were $275.4 million, which is $422,000 more than the estimate and $4.9 million, or 1.7%, less than March 2022. The reduced year-over-year receipts for March from these tax sources are due in part to the reduction of state sales tax on food and food ingredients.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 20. The Group will review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.