July 18, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners (Clifton
Beth and Jim Harris) and the County Clerk present.
Patty LaRoche, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Bob Reed, Kevin Davidson, Matt Quick, Clint
Walker, Nelson Blythe, Donald Coffman, Rachel and Clint Walker were present for
some or all of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes for last weeks’ meeting. Jim
seconded. All approved.
Eric Bailey stated he had no permits to report on. Eric gave a reminder that the LRSP
meeting with KDOT is tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm in the Commission Room. Open to
the public if they wish to attend. Eric states regarding to asphalt, they lacked about
125 yards being done at Hiatville today. They blew a hydraulic fitting on cities’
laydown machine. We should be back up and going tomorrow and hopefully get
finished. We will be moving to 55th & Yale. I called on our paver and they haven’t
got it in yet. Bellydump is still hauling rock. We are scheduled for a blast at Blake
Quarry this Wednesday probably somewhere around 50 to 60 ton. Having issues with a
couple of dump trucks. Roadside mowing is going on now, we have four mowers
going. Have the sidearm going as well. 165th & Tomahawk had a grader operator do
about 1 mile of ditching. Did a good job. Culvert crew is trying to get some crossroad
tubes in as well. Waiting on 30 inch tubes for 115th. North of Hackberry we have
three tubes needing replaced. They’ve rotted out on the bottom. Clifton asked if
Eric had heard anything from KDOT on the bridge on 215th. Eric stated no. He said he
got a rough estimate from an engineer for bridge replacement and it was around 2 to
2 1/2 million. Eric stated they are looking at some grants.
Clifton requested an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters
of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy including two
commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Justin Meeks, Tiana McElroy and Shane Walker for 15
minutes returning here at 6:23pm. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a
motion to return to normal session with no action. Jim seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to remove Matt Quick regarding Hours of
Operation from the printed agenda. Jim seconded. All approved.
Jim stated that a commissioner needed to be appointed to the Bourbon County REDI
following Lynne’s resignation and I would like to recommend Commissioner Beth.
Clifton seconded. All approved.
Susan Bancroft discussed the Revenue Neutral Rate regarding the County. After
discussion of keeping our levy flat which would exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and
this stands as a notice to the county clerk for this budget year. The Clerk has to send
letters to every tax payer so we have to certify by the 20th of September. The

Revenue Neutral Rate hearing will be first and then we’ll talk about the budget
hearing. We will present why we are exceeding the RNR and then we will vote on the
budget following. The commissioners stated that they would like the hearing and
vote to be on separate dates. Clifton suggested a night meeting so more of the public
could attend. Clifton made a motion for Ashley to publicize the intent to exceed
Revenue Neutral Rate and the hearing will be held August 30th @ 6pm at 210 S
National, Fort Scott, KS in the Commission Room. Jim seconded. All approved.
Clifton asked Bobby Reed for an update on the jail. Bobby stated that since July 6th
we’ve had two applicants. We called to schedule an interview with one them. No
answer. I saw this individual out in the public and asked him about it. He said he
decided to do something else. Bobby told him there had been an increase in wages to
$14.50/hr. The individual stated that wasn’t enough. The other applicant was not
contacted due to her background. We are having open interviews this Thursday from
4pm to 8pm out at the jail. We’re going to hit it again on Facebook. As of tomorrow,
I will be down to 6 correctional officers. Both lieutenants are working shift work and
the captain will be going to a shift as well. I will be utilizing off-duty deputies and
myself when applicable for transports. Linn County should be opening their new
facility soon and hoping to get our inmates closer which will cut down on drive time,
maintenance and fuel. Current inmate count as of this morning was 25. We do still
have some inhouse because we can’t find homes for them at the moment.
Clifton asked Sheriff Martin regarding money for vehicles. The highway patrol
vehicles that the city bought would they be an option for us. Bill responded that their
cars are maintained but they drive their vehicles hard. The city only drives about 5
square miles. Some of the equipment that is in the vehicles cannot be transferred to
other vehicles. Bill said the price for a car fully equipped is $50 to $55,000.00. Bill
stated they are going to order two cars this year. Our fleet is getting old and worn
out. Jim stated that Bill budget request would result in a 5 mil increase and the tax
payers cannot bear that at this time. Jim stated that Bill’s concerns regarding putting
a fuel tank on the property due to flood plain. Jim stated that is not true. The flood
plain is not on the county property. Jim also stated that Bill could save 82 cents per
gallon as of today if Judy’s Fuel brought that to you. Eighty-two cents per gallon
times 15 vehicles daily. That’s $100,000 per year. Bill said that he had concerns with
the tank tipping over and running down the creek. Jim stated that there would have
to be a fence to suit the fire marshall. Bill said if that’s what you want to do then do
it today. Jim further stated that Bill had asked for more deputies. In 2021 you had
2,253 traffic stops; 928 were within the city limits. If you stay out of the city limits
would you need two more deputies? Bill stated he was glad Jim brought that up
because we are now going into criminal investigations. With that being said we will
have to go into executive session to explain those reasons. I’ve also brought Deputy
Davidson who will need to be part of the executive session to explain why we do what
we do in regards to that. Clifton made a motion for an executive session 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 including 2
commissioners, Justin Meeks, County Attorney Tiana McElroy, Bill Martin, Deputy