October 2, 2023 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Jim Harris and Nelson Blythe and the County Clerk present.
Mark McCoy, Teri Hulsey, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 9/25/23 and approval of payroll totaling $416.24. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
There were no public comments.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented a list of culvert installations for September for approval. Eric stated they are still working on Yale Road and are compacting, leveling, and adding water to make a better subbase. The asphalt crew is currently on 233rd Street and will have one pass to complete tomorrow then they will be moving to Garland. Eric said they are watching the budget numbers very closely to see what additional asphalting can be completed this year. Jim said he walked Jayhawk Road and the chip and seal was excellent and said the crew did a good job. Eric informed the Commissioners of a retirement lunch on Friday for Charlie Elliott who is retiring after 32 years with the county. Jim made a motion to allow all three Commissioners to attend a retirement luncheon for one of our employees at the public works building next Friday, October 6th. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson said somebody approached him about adding stop signs at 85th Street and Kansas Road to make the intersection a four-way stop. Nelson said it seems reasonable to him because when you are on Kansas Road headed west you can’t really see anything and it isn’t due to a lack of tree trimming it is just the terrain. Jim suggested Eric look at the intersection and make a recommendation.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, gave an update stating they are gearing up for the General Election on November 7th. The deadline for registering to vote to be able to participate in the General Election is October 17th. Jennifer asked if the Commissioners would be holding a meeting on October 9th since the courthouse will be closed in observance of Columbus Day. Nelson said he doesn’t have a problem holding a meeting and Jim replied they normally don’t hold meetings due to staff not being here to help. Jim said he doesn’t want to have any staff ruining their day off to have to come in for three hours when they could be traveling or with family. Jim made a motion to not hold a meeting on October 9th due to Columbus Day and will hold a regular meeting on October 16th unless something comes up. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer presented a Real Property Relief application for Jerry and Annette Leighty for their property at 202 Holbrook that was destroyed by fire. Jennifer said the fire happened on May 17th and that the home was completely destroyed and has since been demolished and is now a vacant lot. Jennifer said since the fire happened before August 1, they can do an abatement on the taxes she just needs to know the percentage that you want to abate.
Mark McCoy asked about early voting dates and Jennifer said early voting will start at the courthouse on October 26th during the hours of 8:30-4:30 and will close on November 6th at noon.
Jim made a motion to apply the abatement for 202 Holbrook for a Real Property Relief application for a six-month period. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Susan Walker, CFO, spoke of a draft letter notifying all employees of open enrollment for insurance that was submitted to the Commissioners for approval. Susan said we have been offering benefits with Aflac and Globe Life and we shouldn’t have due to the state contract language. Susan said employees will be able to continue their coverage if they choose to but it would not be deducted through their payroll and that Don Doherty is willing to visit with each of the employees that this affects. Susan said they want to still offer disability insurance and that after looking at all the benefits Assurity was the best company. The best cancer insurance was offered through Prosperity and is guaranteed issue. Northwestern Mutual is an assortment of other life insurance options that Don Doherty would offer through us. Susan said she needs approval to be able to use those companies as payroll deductions and to also send out the open enrollment letter. Jim asked if these all meet the state regulations, and Susan said yes do they. Jim made a motion a to allow Susan and the County Clerk to work together to send out a cover letter to employees to explain what changes they will have in their current additional insurance that will not be payroll deducted in the future to meet the state regulations and to let our employees have an option to purchase the listed insurances. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Jim requested an executive session. Jim made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships to include both Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:01. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Jim made a motion to resume normal session at 6:01 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton Beth arrived at the meeting.
Justin Meeks asked the Commissioners to amend the agenda to add an executive session.
Clifton made a motion to add an executive session before the Commission comments. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships to include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:11. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:11 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson informed Clifton of the discussion of making the intersection at 85th Street and Kansas Road a four-way stop and that Eric is going to review and come back with a recommendation.
Clifton said there have been rumors about the emergency room closing and that Via Christi is being purchased by another entity which Clifton said as far as he knows is just a rumor. Clifton said there is a pretty good chance we will not have an emergency room on January 1st. Clifton said we have not been notified that they are closing but that we know it is a possibility. Clifton stated Legacy Health is working with another healthcare provider to possibly provide services but due to timing and licensing issues they won’t be able to make that happen in a timely manner. Clifton said that for whatever reason Bourbon County has been put on the back burner for healthcare for a long time and it’s something we need to discuss with the public and maybe take matters into our own hands with some kind of large subsidy from the county or cities or in the form of a sales tax or something of that matter. Clifton said he has heard we are already the highest sales taxed county in the state, but that is not true. Clifton said he personally is tired of relying on outsiders to weave our future with healthcare and maybe we should take it in our own hands with a large subsidy. Jim said he agrees with Clifton that it is time we take charge of the matter and let’s do it ourselves and quit waiting on other people to do it. Jim thanked Clifton for his hard work.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:18. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk
10/16/2023 Approved Date