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Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda Summary, May 19, 2026

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Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda & Packet Summary

At 4:30, there will be a special meeting with the Attorney General’s office for KOMA training for the commissioners, followed by the regular meeting at 5:30.

Meeting Date: May 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM

Commission Agenda 05.18.26

I. Meeting Agenda Outline

  • 1. Call Meeting to Order

  • 2. Pledge of Allegiance

  • 3. Prayer

  • 4. Introductions

  • 5. Approval of Agenda

  • 6. Approval of Minutes (05.11.26)

  • 7. Approval of Accounts Payable (05.15.26) – $363,496.33

  • 8. Approval of Tax Corrections

  • 9. SEK Multi-County Health Department Budget Request – Rebecca Johnson

  • 10. Department Updates

      1. EMS Equipment Request – Teri Hulsey

  • 11. Public Comments

  • 12. Old Business

      1. Hidden Valley Roads – Allen

      1. Auction Update – Allen

  • 13. New Business

      1. Solid Waste Plan – K Allen

      1. Hale Fireworks Permit

      1. Jarred Gilmore Phillips 2026 Audit Engagement

  • 14. Future Agenda Topics

  • 15. Commission Comments

  • 16. Adjournment

II. Detailed Information Packet Summary

Meeting Minutes Summary (Pages 2–6)

  • Meeting Details: Official record of the prior Bourbon County Commission meeting held on May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM at 210 S National, Fort Scott, KS. (Page 2)

  • Agenda Modifications: Commissioner Beerbower requested swapping items VIII and IX so that a resolution could be addressed before payroll and accounts payable discussions. The agenda was approved 5-0 as amended. (Page 2)

  • Tax & Accounts Payable Approvals: Tax corrections were approved 5-0. Accounts payable from May 8, 2026, totaling $457,015.06, were approved 5-0. Minutes from the May 4, 2026, meeting were approved 5-0. (Pages 2–3)

  • Public Comment (Meals on Wheels): Michael Hoyt addressed the commission regarding federal defunding of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). He noted that the Pittsburg-headquartered program is frozen to new home meal delivery requests, impacting local elderly constituents, and urged the county and city to consider funding solutions during upcoming budget sessions. (Page 3)

  • Resolution 22-26: Introduced by Commissioner Beerbower following a prior consensus during a work session. It was adopted with a 3-2 vote (Commissioners Beerbower, Motley, and Allen voting in favor; Commissioners Milburn-Kee and Tran voting against). (Page 3)

  • Check-Signing Authority Dispute: County Attorney James Crux addressed a lack of communication that caused late employee payments due to Commissioner Tran’s surprise refusal to sign routine checks. Commissioner Tran clarified that state statutes only mandate signatures from the treasurer and clerk, not commissioners. To resolve the logjam, Commissioner Tran moved to authorize Commissioner Allen to sign accounts payable checks. This passed 5-0, though Commissioner Allen noted he cannot sign until formally added to the bank signature cards by the treasurer. (Pages 3–4, 5)

  • Clerk Payroll System Access Dispute: Commissioner Motley moved to restore read-only access to the pay entry system (SecureView) for the County Clerk so she could generate general ledger entries. Commissioner Milburn-Kee objected, citing employee privacy and PII concerns (such as hire dates). The Clerk stated that summary files provided by an intermediary assistant lacked necessary cost-center breakdowns and Excel formatting. The motion failed 2-3 (Motley and Allen in favor; Milburn-Kee, Tran, and Beerbower opposed). It was suggested to invite the system representative, Mr. Cohen, to a future meeting to investigate custom restricted profiles. (Pages 4–5)

  • Commission Comments: Commissioner Allen congratulated 2026 graduates. Commissioner Milburn-Kee suggested ordering an annual signature disc for checks to match regular rotations in the commission chairmanship, noting Linn County follows this practice. (Page 5)

Open Invoices By Department Summary (Pages 7–17 & Pages 27–35)

An itemized breakdown of the Grand Total: $363,496.33 in open invoices scheduled for approval.

  • Department 00 – Non-Departmental / Clearing Accounts (Pages 7–11, 17, 33): Net total of $218,993.36, primarily consisting of employee benefit clearings, insurance accounts, withholdings, and cost clearings across multiple funds including:

    • General Fund: -$1,286.98 (Page 7)

    • Appraisers: $7,347.76 (Page 8)

    • County Treasurer Motor Fund: $3,189.16 (Page 9)

    • Diversion Application Fee Fund: $64.66 (Page 9)

    • Election Fund: $2,885.50 (Page 9)

    • Employee Benefit Fund: $35,222.73 (Page 10)

    • Rod-Tech Fund: $509.05 (Page 10)

    • Landfill Fund: $5,626.37 (Page 11)

    • County Sheriff/Correctional Fund: $76,306.32 (Page 13)

    • Noxious Weed Fund: $1,771.05 (Page 13)

    • Road and Bridge Fund: $77,473.38 (Page 15)

    • Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund: $10,970.62 (Page 16)

    • Ambulance Service Fund: -$1,114.30 (Page 16)

    • Offender Registration Fund: $28.04 (Page 17)

  • Department 01 – County Commission (Pages 18, 33): $9,768.78 (Includes $4,500.00 for legal services rendered through 3.31.26 by Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP and $5,195.42 in commission wages).

  • Department 02 – County Clerk (Pages 19, 33): $4,386.70 (Includes $4,230.94 in clerk wages, travel toll fees, and copier readings).

  • Department 03 – County Treasurer (Pages 20, 34): $4,807.71 (Includes $4,787.73 in treasurer wages).

  • Department 04 – County Attorney (Pages 21, 34): $10,356.08 (Includes $10,254.39 in attorney wages and office/water supplies).

  • Department 05 – County Register of Deeds (Pages 22, 34): $5,010.14 (Includes $4,948.49 in register wages).

  • Department 07 – Courthouse Maintenance (Pages 23, 34): $3,145.68 (Includes $2,866.00 in maintenance building wages and $240.00 for security locking bars).

  • Department 08 – County Coroner (Pages 24, 34): $50.00 (Report of death fee from Forensic Medical).

  • Department 10 – District Court (Pages 25, 34): $5,615.33 (Includes legal conflict representation from John A. Villamaria for $1,302.24 and $652.80, court mileage reimbursements, interpreter translation services, and $1,847.34 in court wages).

  • Department 11 – Emergency Preparedness (Pages 26, 34): $1,361.40 (Includes $769.23 in wages, vehicle maintenance, and home show supplies/giveaways).

  • Department 18 – Juvenile Detention (Pages 27, 34): $11,377.00 (Consists of an $11,194.00 monthly detention fee to the SEK Regional Juvenile Detention Center alongside inmate medical bills).

  • Department 24 – Ambulance Service (Pages 28, 35): $45,621.00 (Includes $33,659.94 in ambulance service wages, emergency vehicle repairs to EMS 7 by BOFS, Inc. totaling $6,181.34 and $3,362.40, and $1,013.07 for medical/valve equipment from Hamilton Medical).

  • Department 30 – Noxious Weed (Pages 29, 35): $12,715.10 (Primarily chemical supplies from Van Diest Supply Company for $10,193.60 and $2,521.50).

  • Department 43 – Courthouse General (Pages 30, 35): $22,295.74 (Includes a $15,625.00 tax sale report fee to Security 1st Title, $4,554.00 for 2026 SEKRPC membership dues, and $300.00 to CIC for a signature file programming set up).

  • Department 44 – Human Resources (Pages 31, 35): $4,300.00 (Monthly custom HR support package from HR Solutions on Call, LLC).

  • Department 99 – County Miscellaneous (Pages 32, 35): $3,692.31 (County Counselor wages).

SEK Multi-County Health Department Budget Request (Page 36)

  • Funding Proposal: Letter from Rebecca Johnson (BSN, RN, Administrator & Local Health Officer) outlining the 2027 funding request of $93,291. This represents a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment over the 2026 approved funding allocation of $90,750.

  • Justification: The increase is sought to preserve skeletal staffing levels and core programs, such as immunizations, WIC, disease control, maternal/child care, and emergency preparedness. Johnson warns that alternative budget reductions will delay services and worsen recruitment/retention hurdles.

Solid Waste Plan Amendment (Page 37)

  • KDHE Communication: Draft letter dated May 14, 2026, directed to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Waste Management regarding updates to the Bourbon County Transfer Station operations.

  • Plan Changes: Section 2: D 1 is revised to indicate that soybeans are no longer accepted at the transfer station.

  • Committee Adjustments: Public Works Director Kenny Allen replaces Dustin Hall on the committee. Commissioners Joe Allen and Greg Motley are formally added as committee members.

Fireworks Permit Request (Pages 38–41)

  • License Details: Form 2026-001 authorizing Hale Fireworks, LLC to sell fireworks seasonally at 2523 S Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. The permit fee is $75.00 and carries an expiration date of July 7, 2026. (Page 38)

  • Application Data: Hand-signed application by Mitch Hale (Owner) listing the corporate address out of Buffalo, MO, and naming Sandy Kueck as the primary contact person. (Pages 39–40)

  • Financial Receipt: Treasury receipt #44076 issued by Treasurer Jennifer Hawkins confirming the $75.00 payment cleared into the county General Fund on May 6, 2026. (Page 41)

External Audit Engagement Agreement (Pages 42–47)

  • Engagement Terms: Agreement letter from CPA firm Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA to audit the Bourbon County regulatory-basis financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2026. (Page 42)

  • Scope & Standards: The audit will conform to Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) in the US and includes testing compliance with supplementary schedules, internal controls, and looking for risks surrounding management override or improper revenue recognition. (Pages 42–44)

  • Fee Structure: The standard hourly billing rates plus out-of-pocket expenses are capped at a maximum proposed fee of $29,500.00. If federal expenditures push past $1,000,000.00, triggering a mandated Single Audit Act procedure, an additional estimated fee of $2,900.00 will apply. Neil L. Phillips, CPA, is designated as the supervising engagement partner. (Page 46)

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