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Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Work Session Agenda for July 8

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Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

There will be a budget work session on Monday, July 8, 2024 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the County Commission Room. There is a possibility that all three Commissioners might be in attendance, however; no action will be taken.

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Agenda for July 9

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The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on July 9 at city hall.

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

2024 Financials –

June 07-24 informational items

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

Schedule budget worksession – need to notify County Clerk by July 20 if intend to exceed RNR

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of June 11, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

On vacation – still waiting on quotes for gas valve replacements

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Thank you to Union State Bank for Independence Day Bash

CCMFOA Institute Year 1

Repurposed Materials

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Warehouse refurbishing –

 

Streets –

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Minutes of June 11

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The Regular Council Meeting on June 11, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, and Mary Pemberton.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal prosecutor –

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to appoint Sally Johnson as City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, Charlene Bolinger as City Treasurer, Patricia Miklos as Municipal Judge, and Chase Vaughn as Municipal Prosecutor.

 

Oath of office was administered by Mayor Jurgensen for Sally Johnson and Charlene Bolinger.  Clerk Johnson will administer oath for Municipal Judge and Prosecutor by the next court date.

 

Designate official bank and newspaper –

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to designate the Union State Bank, Uniontown, as official bank and The Fort Scott Tribune as official newspaper

 

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger asked if they wanted an oral report on April and May; they opted for oral for May 2024 Treasurer’s Report.  April 2024 Treasurer’s written reports were presented.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $248,941.39, Receipts $51,651.27, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $25,058.15, Checking Account Closing Balance $262,758.51. Bank Statement Balance $264,895.81, including Checking Account Interest of $55.65, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $2,137.30, Reconciled Balance $262,758.51.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,385.86, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,376.69, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,177.46, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $360,698.52. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $283.42, and Utility CDs $841.17 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,124.59.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of May 2024, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $4,311.86, Expenditures $4,311.86, Ending Balance $0.  May Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $6,250.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $2,500.00 for Total Transfers of $12,776.00.  Net Income for the month of May $13,817.12, Year-to-Date Net Income $27,279.31.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $46,034.81 (37.3%), Expenditures $56,155.73 (34.6%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $14,593.33 (39.5%), Expenditures $14,392.05 (34.2%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $78,818.29 (53.8%), Expenditures $51,114.51 (28.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $93,682.10 (57.1%), Expenditures $95,345.38 (47.1%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,966.38 (54.6%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The June 2024 payables to date in the amount of $13,031.25 were presented.  The invoices from KMGA, Homestead Tech, Phillips 66, and Ag Engineering have not been received by noon meeting day.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0, to approve amended Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of May 14, 2024 Special Council Meeting, May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and May 23, 2024 Special Council Meeting
  • April and May Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan was absent.  Council received emailed reports.

 

City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the Council the copier maintenance agreement renewal was received and is $25 higher.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to renew copier maintenance agreement with Modern Copy Systems

 

She also went over 2024 KMGA Regional Meetings, KMU Health Insurance Pooling Survey, and KDHE public meeting on implementation of the 2022 Kansas Water Plan.

The request for quotes for the weather siren preventive maintenance was discussed.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – nothing

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – absent

Mayor Jurgensen – FEMA/KDEM representatives were here on June 5th to do a preliminary assessment of flooding damages from the April 25-30 flooding event.  Bourbon County has met the threshold for disaster declaration.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – Mayor Jurgensen and Councilwoman Pemberton will run some chalk lines to determine the best location for the court, then Superintendent Rich can paint.  They will try to get project completed by July 3.

 

Warehouse project – Mayor Jurgensen is working on the specs for the project.  Statute 12-1739 Sale of Building was reviewed.  Clerk Johnson will follow-up with attorney on next steps of selling 402 Sherman to help fund refurbishing and have the county appraised value for next month.

 

Streets – Mayor Jurgensen is not having much luck communicating with Bettis regarding warranty work and possible future projects.  Funding avenues were discussed and consensus is to hold off on more resurfacing while building up funds for future projects.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 7:27PM

Opinion

Lost Keys by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

The day started off fine.  On my drive to the dermatologist in Olathe, I spoke to my granddaughter, Montana, who was boarding a plane with her sister-in-law, Julia, and Julia’s two children, a two-year old and a three-month old.  They would land in K.C. and get into their car they had left in the airport parking lot and drive to Ft. Scott.

At the doctor’s office, some skin cancer was removed, and my back was sewn up with several stitches.  There were a few errands to run in K.C., but I needed to be home for my late afternoon, Bible study, Zoom call.  About ten minutes north of Fort Scott, my phone rang.  It was Jenn, Mo’s mother, calling from somewhere in Alabama.  “Where are you?” she asked.  I said that I was on 69, headed home.

Silence…which in this case was not golden.

“Do you need something?” I asked.  She did.  Jenn had looked in her purse and, Surprise! Surprise! There were the keys to the car parked at the K.C. airport.  I told her that I could turn around and pick up my four relatives.  They were to land at 2:30. It was 2:15.                                Stopping in Louisburg to get gas and use the restroom, I managed to drop my credit card (you know, the one that pays all my bills automatically) into the toilet which, at record place, flushed on its own.  Then I hit rush-hour traffic while on the phone, calling to cancel my credit card.  (Yes, talking on the phone while driving.  Illegal and, in this case, unnecessary, since the odds were against anyone getting their hands on my flushed card to use it.)

At the airport, the traffic attendant told me that my gas lid was open and the cap was hanging outside my truck, meaning, I probably had lost quite a bit of fuel driving to the airport.  Mo called and she said that they were delayed because the airline had broken their stroller and she and Julia were trying to scan the Q.R. code—whatever that means—to submit a complaint.  Neither baby had napped the entire day (which did not change on the ride home) and the girls were “starving.”  It was then the deadening agent for my stitches began to wear off.  Not. Good.

I had mapped out my day to time everything perfectly, but “perfectly” in God’s timing can be very different than what I think.  My needs being met or someone else’s needs being met?  A minor inconvenience verses coming to another person’s aid?  Understanding that God continues to give me crazy stories to write about verses a boring, mundane life?

What I didn’t count on was how much of a hassle it is to lose a credit card.  I don’t know how much is too much, but this was close.  However, there were blessings.  When I called to say that I would not be on the Zoom call, others also had conflicts (but did not want to be the one to cancel), so we moved it to the next week.

My granddaughters and I had a wonderful conversation which we would not have had, had they remembered to bring the car key.  When I phoned the billing departments to change my credit card number, everyone got a good laugh from my toilet flushing story, and when I ended my calls with “Have a blessed day,” they told me to have the same.  I know, it’s not like I baptized someone or led them to the Lord, but it made me smile, and sometimes that’s as good as it gets.

Maybe that’s what God had in mind the entire time.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

195th Street, South of Hackberry Road Will Be Closed Starting July 8

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Bourbon County Public Works will be closing 195th Street approximately ½ mile south of Hackberry for culvert replacement’s starting Monday, July 8th.  The road will be closed daily to ALL traffic from 8 am to 5pm until the projects are completed.  If you have any questions, please contact Bourbon County Public Works at (620) 223-3800 ext. 193.  Thank You for your cooperation during this time of inconvenience!!!
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda for the U234 Board of Education for July 8

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

July 8, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                                  David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Reorganization of New Board (Action)

5.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            5.1       Board Minutes

  1.    06/03/24 Minutes
  2. 06/10/24 Board Minutes

            5.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            5.3       Check Register

            5.4       Payroll – June 20, 2024 -$2,128,270.84

5.5       Activity Funds Accounts

5.6       USD 234 Gifts

5.7       Appoint Terry Mayfield as Deputy Board Clerk

5.8       HS Extended Trip Forms 24-25

5.9       HS Fundraising Applications 24-25

5.10     Resolution 24-01 – Destruction of Records

5.11     Resolution 24-02 – Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

5.12     Resolution 24-03 – Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes

5.13     Resolution 24-04 – Establish Home Rule by Board of Education

5.14     Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds

5.15     Set fees for copying records

5.16     Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate

5.17     2024-25 School Fees

5.18     Recreation Commission Board Member Term

5.19     Designation of newspaper for official school publications – Fort Scott Tribune

5.20     Offices for the 2024-25 School Year

5.21                 June 2024 KASB Policy Updates

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report     

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

                       

 

7.0       New Business

7.1       Workers Compensation Renewal 2024-25 (Action)

7.2       KiCS Property, Casualty, Insurance 2024-25 (Action)

7.3       2024-25 Emergency Operations Procedures (Action)

7.4       Set Dates for Budget Presentation, Revenue Neutral Hearing and Budget Hearing (Action)

7.5       Revenue Neutral Declaration to the Bourbon County Clerk (Action)

 

8.0       Public Forum

9.0       Other Business – 

9.1       Enter Executive Session – Negotiations/ Salary (Action Item)

9.2       Exit Executive Session

9.3       Approval of Negotiated Agreement (Action Item)

9.4       Approval of Salary (Action Item)

 

9.5       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

 

9.6       Exit Executive Session

9.7       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

10.0     Adjourn Meeting            David Stewart, President

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Collections Above Estimate for June

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Governor Kelly Announces June Total Tax Collections at 2.4% Above the Estimate

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that June’s total tax collections were $1.03 billion. That is $24.1 million, or 2.4%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up 3.9% from June 2023.

“While the tax revenue collected for June is encouraging, we must remain committed to fiscal responsibility,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By continuing our work to put our state on solid fiscal ground, we can ensure Kansans have the services and quality of life they deserve.”

Individual income tax collections were $452.4 million. That is $82.4 million, or 22.3% more than the estimate, and up 19.4% from June 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $193.1 million. That is $53.9 million, or 21.8% less than the estimate, and down 14.6% from June 2023.

“Individual income tax receipts exceeded the June estimate because of higher-than-expected withholding tax and individual estimated payments and the fact that fewer refunds were paid than in June 2023,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart. “Withholding tax receipts are 17.0% greater than in June 2023, and that source continues to be the State’s most reliable revenue stream.”

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.1 million. That is $2.2 million, or 0.7% more than the estimate, but down $11.4 million, or 3.8%, from June 2023.

Click here to view the June 2024 revenue numbers.

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Obituary

Obituary of Arlan Kent Boyd

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Arlan Kent Boyd, 75, of rural Redfield, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly at his home on June 30, 2024. Kent was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, to John Curtis Boyd and Norma Paulene (Huckaby) Boyd on October 25, 1948. Eighteen years their junior, he joined his older brothers, Curtis Eugene Boyd and Donald Lee Boyd.

Kent attended Redfield Country School, Fort Scott Public Schools, Fort Scott Community College, and Allen County Community College. In 1968, he was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for two years. Kent continued his military service for an additional 25 years, proudly serving in the Kansas National Guard.

On September 25, 1970, Kent married the love of his life, Amy (Spencer) Boyd, at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott, KS. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Angela Dawn Boyd Zerinsky Simon and Kristin Marie Boyd Bishop. Kent loved being a girl dad, but was thrilled beyond measure to welcome David Zerinsky, Jason Simon and William Bishop as sons. Kent bought each of them a pair of Key overalls to “welcome” them to the family. Teaching his sons, and later his grandchildren, to Bass fish became a priority for Kent.

Kent spent most of his life working in all aspects of construction; from the smallest of jobs for a neighbor to running multimillion dollar projects for a large company. Kent was always the go-to person for any job because he could do most anything and was trusted to do it well. Kent was an avid outdoorsman. If he didn’t have a tool in his hand, it was a fishing pole or rifle. As a passionate bass fisherman, he humorously told his daughters they were not allowed to get married or have children during a bass tournament weekend. Kent held several titles and had many nicknames over the years. Among all his monikers, “Poppy” was his favorite, lovingly bestowed upon him by his cherished grandchildren: AnnaMarie (Annie) Zerinsky Simon, Kendrick Ames Michael Simon, Winston Thomas Bishop, and Linden James Bishop.

Kent was an active member of the Mirza Shrine Temple in Pittsburg, KS, and the Masonic Devon Lodge #92 Valley of Fort Scott Scottish Rite. Kent took pride in his time as a member of the Elks Lodge, delivering meal boxes every Christmas and helping with the kids fishing tournament. Children have always delighted him and always brought a smile to his regionally famous blue eyes. He was known affectionately as “Mr. Kent” to hundreds of local children as he made regular appearances at New Generation Child Care and Preschool over the course of 32 years to fix whatever might have needed fixin’.

He attended the First United Methodist Church and was known for his love of people. Kent enjoyed socializing with friends and family at every opportunity. You could find him at the donut shop every weekday morning, the Sale Barn cafe on Saturday, and “choir practice” in Hammond on Sunday.

Kent will be remembered for his kind heart, ornery grin, and quick wit. He always ended every conversation with, “Love you, be good.” His legacy of love, laughter, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Kent’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of “His Girls”- Amy, Angela,and Kristin that can never be filled, but his memory will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Friday, July 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Military Honors.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Kent Boyd Scholarship Fund for Construction Trades and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas Launches National Campaign to Attract and Retain Talent

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TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, alongside leaders from across the state, today unveiled Love, Kansas, a dynamic talent attraction campaign aimed at boosting Kansas’ population by inviting past residents to choose the Sunflower State as their future home. This national marketing initiative will highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family, with a special emphasis on “boomerangs” – individuals with previous ties to the state.

The campaign was launched at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, where Lieutenant Governor Toland shared his personal journey back to Kansas that was inspired by a heartfelt phone call from a family friend about a job opportunity in his hometown of Iola.

“It’s simple: We need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state.  And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren’t just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back – we’re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.”

Love, Kansas will focus on the state’s abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system and affordable communities.  The campaign will be driven at the local level but will strategically target key markets across the U.S., with a strong focus on digital and social media platforms. Influencer and journalist engagement, as well as targeted in-person events both within and outside of Kansas, will play a crucial role in reaching potential boomerangs.

During the launch event, it was announced that the first 50 communities to partner with Love, Kansas will be eligible for a $5,000 grant to assist in their efforts in attracting new residents to their community. Nineteen pilot communities and seven universities already have joined the initiative and are planning events that are aligned with the campaign’s theme. A primary goal is for communities across the state to do direct outreach to past residents they have a personal connection with, inviting them to return home.

“The collaboration already on display between so many partners underscores the enthusiasm for this campaign,” Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “There are so many amazing things happening in Kansas right now; Love, Kansas gives us the chance to let people throughout the country know about them.”

The Love, Kansas campaign is being spearheaded by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

For more information about the campaign, view this video (here) or visit the Love, Kansas website here.

About Kansas Tourism:

The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education, and support. 

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Obituary

Obituary of Kent Boyd

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Kent Boyd, age 75, a resident of rural Redfield, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday, July 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Masonic rites and military honors will be provided at the cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Kent Boyd Scholarship Fund for Construction Trades and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.