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Category Archives: Area News
Kansas DCF named to National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Collaborative
The 16-month series will focus on the recruitment and retention of the child welfare workforce
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) recently joined the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute’s Breakthrough Series Collaborative. The 16-month program launched in April and will focus on the recruitment and retention of the child welfare workforce and building cultures that value justice, equity, diversity and belonging.
The Breakthrough Series Collaborative brings together multidisciplinary teams to engage in a dynamic learning process that cultivates a healthy, equitable, sustainable workforce. Other states named to the collaborative include Illinois, New Mexico, Washington state and Westchester County (NY).
“We aren’t simply looking at the issues from the top down,” shared Laura Howard, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families. “Our teams, which are comprised of community partners, educational institutions, and DCF staff and leaders will learn up as we experiment with small and large approaches to recruiting and retaining child welfare workers.”
Kansas is represented with two teams focusing on the Northwest and Northeast regions of the state, which includes 41 Kansas counties and the cities of Colby, Hays, Salina, Manhattan, Hiawatha and Topeka. The teams include new and veteran DCF staff in leadership, child protection and human resource roles, and partners such as Saint Francis Ministries and Fort Hays State University.
“Staff at all levels want to be part of the solution to improve workforce recruitment and retention,” said Deanne Dinkel, DCF’s director of safety and thriving families and performance improvement. “This Breakthrough Series will provide this opportunity for staff to engage, learn, and be a part of the solution.”
The Collaborative requires the teams to meet monthly to discuss the test strategies they have and are planning to implement, while collecting data to track progress and share with other states and counties involved in the program.
The teams are focused on five domains in the Collaborative’s Change Framework. They are Mattering at Work, Opportunity for Growth, Community & Connection, Protection from Harm, and Work-Life Harmony. The Kansas teams are first looking at Protection from Harm and believes that progress made in this domain will impact the Work-Life Harmony domain.
“One approach we are taking in Protection from Harm is expanding our emergency contacts list,” shared Caroline Hastings, Northeast Kansas regional director and Northeast team manager. “We will begin to offer family members/emergency contacts of our child protection employees with supervisor’s work contact information.
“So, if a worker is late, their family member has someone to contact if they cannot reach their loved one,” she continued.
Other areas of exploration within Protection from Harm involves engagement with Fort Hays State University and Saint Francis Ministries in a more holistic approach to preparing students and staff for the work.
“We have begun educating our staff on secondary traumatic stress and tactics to deal with this,” explained Pamela Beach, Northwest Kansas regional director and Northwest team manager. “Although our agency has improved immensely in areas of communication, transparency, and being culturally responsive, we continue search for effective ways to support staff and buffer burnout as well as provide immediate in-house supports for trauma and therapeutic processes.”
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85th Session of American Legion Boys State of Kansas Set for June 4-10 in Manhattan
85th Session of American Legion Boys State of Kansas Set for June 4-10 in Manhattan
May 22, 2023 — High school students from across the State of Kansas will participate in the 2023 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, Sunday, June 4, through Saturday, June 10, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 31st consecutive session at KSU and 85th overall.
The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
Among the major events during the week (the below events are open to the public unless noted; members of the media are invited to attend all events):
Sunday, June 4
- Delegate check-in, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Goodnow Hall
This event is not open to the public.
- Opening ceremonies, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium
o Keynote speaker: Kendall Gammon, 15-year NFL veteran with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers. Considered the best long-snapper in the NFL, Gammon, a 1987 graduate of Rose Hill (Kan.) High School and 1991 graduate of Pittsburg (Kan.) State University, was a member of Pitt State’s 1991 NCAA Division II national championship team. He also played in Super Bowl 30 and in the 2005 Pro Bowl. Gammon talk will draw on personal life challenges with a message threaded with vulnerability and authentic stories to inspire attendees to use emotional strength to embrace change, build strong relationships and positively impact growth and success.
Media note: Starting at approximately 2 p.m., the KBS delegates will walk
from Wefald Hall to McCain Auditorium – great photo/video opportunity.
Monday, June 5
- Swearing in of Kansas Boys State mayors, 7 p.m., Kansas Boys State Assembly Area (Goodnow Hall/Marlatt Hall parking lot [between buildings on Claflin Road]).
- Party caucuses, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Federalist Party, Fiedler Hall, Room 1107; Nationalist Party, Rathbone Hall, Room 1073 (each party will select their candidates for the six state offices and formulate their party platforms.)
This event is not open to the public.
Tuesday, June 6
- Kansas Boys State governor candidates’ debate, 1 to 2 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Announcement of Kansas Boys State general election winners for state offices and swearing in ceremony, 7 p.m., KBS Assembly Area.
Wednesday, June 8
- Flag retirement ceremony, 7:30 p.m., World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium. The event is an observance of the proper respect for the American flag and how unserviceable flags are properly disposed. The honor guard from American Legion Pearce-Keller Post No.17 in Manhattan will present the ceremony. Dr. John Lindholm, a 1949 KSU graduate who provided the dog tags as a model for the “Tags of Honor” sculpture at the Memorial, was a longtime Kansas Boys State staff member as a Legionnaire advisor before passing away in January 2020.
Media note: This event is a great photo/video opportunity.
- Evening ceremonies, 8 p.m., McCain Auditorium.
o 2023 Kansas Boys State governor’s inaugural address.
o Address by Jeremy Ehart, Hutchinson, Kan., American Legion Department of Kansas commander, and introduction of Kansas American Legion dignitaries
Watch and read Ehart’s cover story from the February 2017 issue of The American Legion magazine.
o Kansas Boys State band, chorus and talent show.
Friday, June 9
- Announcement of delegates who will represent Kansas Boys State as senators at Boys Nation in July, 8:30 a.m., KBS Assembly Area.
Saturday, June 10
- Closing ceremonies, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., McCain Auditorium
o Announcement of Kansas Boys State outstanding citizens, Kansas Boys State Samsung American Legion Scholarship winner and various awards, including Advisor of the Year, Counselor of the Year, New Counselor of the Year, William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, Outstanding Senator Award and Outstanding State Representative Award.
- Final State Assembly/Final Flag Lowering, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m., KBS Assembly Area
In addition to the above events, the public is invited to view the daily morning assembly/flag raising at 8:30 a.m. (8:45 a.m. on Saturday) and evening retreat/flag lowering at 7 p.m. (6:50 p.m. on Monday). For those who cannot attend these events, Boys State of Kansas will provide updates during the week on its Facebook page, facebook.com/KansasBoysState.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Opioid Prevention Education
DCCA is dedicated to supporting efforts to educate young people about the importance of medication safety and using skills to refuse invitations to misuse opioids.
DCCCA is offering $500 mini grant opportunities for youth serving community organizations willing to provide opioid prevention messages and activities for groups of elementary, middle and/or high school youth. This would be a great summertime activity opportunity!!
Opioid prevention curriculum is available and easily tailored to your community needs. For more information about the mini grant opportunity and contact Crystal Dalmasso [email protected]
Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips
Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 11, 2023 – May is the month in Kansas when the state typically sees its most severe weather, including tornadoes. Kansas Gas Service wants to remind all customers to keep safety in mind before and after a storm.
“Taking steps to protect your natural gas meter is often an afterthought, but it’s important to keep in mind for the safety of yourself and your community, especially during severe weather season,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of operations for Kansas Gas Service. “Preparedness is key, and we encourage our customers to join us in taking a few simple steps to plan for any storm.”
Here are some helpful steps to take in preparation for severe weather:
- Check around your natural gas meter and remove any objects that could be blown into the meter by strong winds or pushed into the meter by heavy rain and flooding.
- Remove any branches or other objects above the meter that could fall onto and damage the meter.
Safety should always be a priority, even after severe weather. Here are some important things to remember once the storm passes.
- If you smell natural gas, usually described as a “rotten egg” odor, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950. Be sure not to operate any electrical appliances, including light switches.
- If you don’t smell natural gas, still do a maintenance check around your home by checking all gas appliances for damage and chimneys and flues for any fallen objects.
- If you need to remove any fallen tree limbs or uncovered debris, contact 811 to locate underground natural gas pipelines and other utility lines if this requires digging.
- If your natural gas meter was turned off or your service was interrupted during the storm, call the Kansas Gas Service customer service line at 800-794-4780 to restore your service. DO NOT attemptto turn your natural gas meter back on.
Customers can visit KansasGasService.com/safety for year-round safety tips.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation holds Fundraiser
A crowd of 160 people attended the 2023 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on Tuesday, April 18th. For 2023, the Foundation decided to revamp our annual fundraiser. The evening’s theme was a BBq, a Boardwalk BBq. The event was held at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute and began at 6 pm. Approximately $14,000 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent and live auctions.
Attendees were treated to a delicious BBq meal of pulled pork, pulled chicken, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, and Hawaiian roll furnished by Horizons at Prairie Ridge in Erie, KS. Dessert was delicious cupcakes provided by Jennifer Brown Sanchez. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of Tri-Valley’s Fort Scott Greenhouse and Jennifer Dietsch.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. For 2023, we had two new items courtesy of Monarch Cement Company; a 7-night stay at Kissimmee, FL and a 3-night stay at a B & B in Arkansas. Monarch was also kind enough to once again donate Wichita Thunder Hockey Tickets and use of Monarch’s 12-person suite at INTRUST Bank Arena. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison; a Men’s Fur Coat, and a wooden bench.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired six additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to sixty-four of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services. The Foundation is excited to announce that they have purchased two new properties in 2023.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2024.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Steve Faulkner Ford, Monarch Cement Company, and David & Beth Toland
Colonnade Level: Community National Bank, Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Home Savings Bank, IMA, and Pete’s of Erie.
Esplandae Level: Ash Grove, A. Lusker Masonry, LLC, Community National Bank – Eureka, Gates Corporation, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA, and Neosho County Community College.
Arcade Level: Hi-Lo Industries; and Cheney Witt Chapel.
Special thanks go to Dave Petersen who served as Emcee; Larry Holman for photography; and John Graham for sound and lighting.
Evergy Announces First Quarter 2023 Results
Evergy Announces First Quarter 2023 Results, Declares Quarterly Dividend and Reaffirms 2023 Guidance
- First Quarter 2023 GAAP EPS of $0.62, compared to $0.53 in 2022
- First Quarter 2023 Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $0.59, compared to $0.56 in 2022
- Declares quarterly dividend of $0.6125 per share
- 2023 GAAP EPS guidance of $3.55 to $3.75; Reaffirms 2023 Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance of $3.55 to $3.75
Kansas City, Mo., May 5, 2023 – Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) today announced first quarter 2023 GAAP earnings of $143 million, or $0.62 per share, compared to GAAP earnings of $123 million, or $0.53 per share, for first quarter 2022.
Evergy’s first quarter 2023 adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were $136 million and $0.59, respectively, compared to $130 million and $0.56 in 2022. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are reconciled to GAAP earnings in the financial table included in this release.
First quarter adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) per share were driven by higher weather-normalized demand, lower operations and maintenance expense, and higher transmission margin, partially offset by unfavorable weather, higher depreciation and amortization expense, and higher interest expense.
“A solid start to the year keeps us on pace to achieve our 2023 targets,” said David Campbell, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “We formed Evergy with a focus on reducing costs, investing in beneficial infrastructure, and making rates more affordable and competitive. Over the past five years, we have made significant progress in advancing each of those goals. As part of our rate filing last month, we seek to share those cost savings and recover investments made to improve the electric grid and build a smarter, more reliable energy future for our Kansas customers.”
Earnings Guidance
The Company reaffirmed its 2023 GAAP EPS guidance range of $3.55 to $3.75, along with its 2023 adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance range of $3.55 to $3.75. Additionally, the Company reaffirmed its long-term adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) annual growth target of 6% to 8% through 2025 from the $3.30 midpoint of the original 2021 adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance range. Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) guidance is reconciled to GAAP EPS guidance in the financial table included in this release.
Dividend Declaration
The Board of Directors declared a dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.6125 per share payable on June 20, 2023. The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of May 19, 2023.
Earnings Conference Call
Evergy management will host a conference call Friday, May 5, with the investment community at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT). To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to investors.evergy.com. To access via phone, investors and analysts will need to register using this link where they will be provided a phone number and access code.
Members of the media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Gina Penzig with
any follow-up questions.
This earnings announcement, a package of detailed first quarter financial information, the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023, and other filings the Company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the Company’s website at http://investors.evergy.com.
Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)
Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are representative measures of Evergy’s recurring earnings, assist in the comparability of results and are consistent with how management reviews performance. Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 have been recast, as applicable, to conform to the current year presentation.
Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $136.1 million or $0.59 per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) were $129.9 million or $0.56 per share.
In addition to net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted EPS, Evergy’s management uses adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) to evaluate earnings and EPS without i.) the costs resulting from non-regulated energy marketing margins from the February 2021 winter weather event; ii.) gains or losses related to equity investments subject to a restriction on sale; iii.) the revenues collected from customers for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station in 2022 for future refunds to customers; iv.) the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges related to Evergy Kansas Central’s non-regulated 8% ownership share of Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC); and v.) the transmission revenues collected from customers in 2022 through Evergy Kansas Central’s FERC transmission formula rate (TFR) to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 FERC order.
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are intended to aid an investor’s overall understanding of results. Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for evaluating Evergy’s operations across periods because it excludes certain items that management does not believe are indicative of Evergy’s ongoing performance or that can create period to period earnings volatility.
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy board of directors. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.
Evergy, Inc
Consolidated Earnings and Diluted Earnings Per Share
(Unaudited)
|
Earnings (Loss) |
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share |
Earnings (Loss) |
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share |
||||
| Three Months Ended March 31 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||
|
(millions, except per share amounts) |
|||||||
| Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. |
$ 142.6 |
$ 0.62 |
$ 122.5 |
$ 0.53 |
|||
| Non-GAAP reconciling items: | |||||||
| Sibley Station return on investment, pre-tax(a) |
— |
— |
(3.1) |
(0.01) |
|||
| Mark-to-market impact of JEC economic hedges, pre-tax(b) |
(8.4) |
(0.04) |
— |
— |
|||
| Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021 winter weather event, pre-tax(c) |
0.1 |
— |
0.3 |
— |
|||
| Restricted equity investment losses, pre-tax(d) |
— |
— |
14.2 |
0.06 |
|||
| TFR refund, pre-tax(e) |
— |
— |
(1.9) |
(0.01) |
|||
| Income tax (benefit) expense (f) |
1.8 |
0.01 |
(2.1) |
(0.01) |
|||
| Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) |
$ 136.1 |
$ 0.59 |
$ 129.9 |
$ 0.56 |
|||
- Reflects revenues collected from customers for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station in 2022 that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
- Reflects mark-to-market gains or losses related to forward contracts for natural gas and electricity entered into as economic hedges against fuel price volatility related to Evergy Kansas Central’s non-regulated 8% ownership share of JEC that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
- Reflects non-regulated energy marketing incentive compensation costs related to the February 2021 winter weather event that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
- Reflects losses related to equity investments which were subject to a restriction on sale that are included in investment earnings on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
- Reflects transmission revenues collected from customers in 2022 through Evergy Kansas Central’s FERC TFR to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 FERC order that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
- Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a statutory rate of approximately 22%.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Earnings Guidance
|
Original 2021 Guidance |
2023 Guidance |
|
| Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. |
$3.14 – $3.34 |
$3.55 – $3.75 |
| Non-GAAP reconciling items: |
|
|
| Advisor expense, pre-tax(a) |
0.05 |
– |
| Executive transition cost, pre-tax(b) |
0.03 |
– |
| Income tax benefit(c) |
(0.02) |
– |
| Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) |
$3.20 – $3.40 |
$3.55 – $3.75 |
- Reflects our advisor expense incurred associated with strategic planning.
- Reflects costs associated with certain executive transition costs at the Evergy Companies.
- Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a statutory rate of approximately 26% with the exception of certain non-deductible items.
About Evergy
Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG), serves 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.
For more information about Evergy, visit us at http://investors.evergy.com.
Evergy Seeks To Recover Investments With Rate Increase
Evergy Files Kansas First Rate Review in Five Years to Recover Investments to Modernize the Power Grid, Increase Reliability and Enhance Customer Service
Ongoing savings achieved since 2018 exceeded projections, reducing the overall Kansas rate increase request by more than 37%
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – April 25, 2023 – Today Evergy (NASDAQ: EVRG) filed a request and supporting documentation with the Kansas Corporation Commission to recover investments made to improve service to customers with a more reliable and resilient power grid and updated customer service systems. This is the first base rate review Evergy has requested in five years.
Evergy was formed in 2018 by the merger of Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy. As part of the merger approval, Evergy agreed to keep the energy company local by maintaining its Kansas headquarters in Topeka and continuing to invest millions annually in local community organizations and charities throughout its Kansas service area. Evergy also committed to significantly reduce the operating costs of the combined company, to pass those savings on to customers and not to ask for an increase to base rates for five years. Evergy has kept all of those commitments.
For the Evergy Kansas Central service area, the company is requesting a net revenue increase of $204 million or a 9.77% overall rate increase — reflecting a reduction of nearly $89 million in operating costs and other billing line items. If the full request is approved, the monthly bill increase for an average residential customer would be about $14.24. Evergy Kansas Central includes approximately 736,000 customers in Topeka, Pittsburg, Wichita, Hutchinson and other communities in the eastern third of the state. In the Evergy Kansas Metro service area, the company is requesting a net revenue increase of $14 million or a 1.95% overall rate increase — reflecting a reduction of nearly $41 million in operating costs and other billing line items. If the full request is approved, the monthly bill increase for an average residential customer would be about $3.47. Evergy Kansas Metro includes approximately 273,000 customers in Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.
“We formed Evergy with a focus of reducing costs and making rates more affordable and competitive. Over the past five years, we have made significant progress towards that goal. Since 2018, our Kansas customers have received $232 million in merger savings and bill credits,” said David Campbell, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “We’ve exceeded our targeted merger savings and shared them with customers. Now, we are seeking to recover investments made to improve the electric grid and build a smarter, more reliable energy future for our Kansas customers.”
This rate review is the first that Evergy has requested in Kansas since the creation of the company in 2018. Offsetting steep inflation in Kansas and the US economy, operational cost savings and merger efficiencies have allowed Evergy to maintain flat rates for Evergy’s Kansas customers over the last five years. Since 2017, overall rates for Evergy Kansas customers have increased just 0.1% and residential rates have decreased 2.5%. During the same time period, other electric utility rates in states surrounding Kansas have increased nearly 13% and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 20%. In addition, since the merger, Evergy has delivered $232 million in merger savings and bill credits to Kansas customers.
“The merger has helped stabilize prices despite historically high inflation. We have achieved nearly $1 billion in cost savings and efficiencies as a combined company since the merger. This achievement has helped us keep rates flat and has reduced our requested increase for investments made over the last five years by more than 37%,” said Campbell. “From residential customers to large businesses, we know how important it is to keep electricity affordable especially in the wake of record inflation.”
The most significant driver of the rate increase request relates to infrastructure improvement aimed at enhancing reliability and resiliency. While Evergy has a track record of solid performance, as the electric system ages, modern upgrades are needed to maintain and improve reliability. Evergy has made significant improvements over the past several years focused on the power grid, with a goal of making it more resistant to outages from severe weather and improving resiliency to restore power faster when outages occur. Some of those improvements include rebuilding aging power lines and equipment and adding advanced automation technology that can reduce the impact of power outages by isolating the cause of the outage more quickly. In addition, Evergy is leveraging data analytics to improve its ability to identify areas at risk for outages, allowing it to target maintenance and replacement work, driving reduced outages and operating costs.
“A resilient, reliable power grid is critical for our customers. A modern power grid deploys automation to run more efficiently and effectively and must be hardened and maintained against physical threats, including the extremes of Kansas weather, and equipped with secure communication devices that help prevent and shorten power outages,” Campbell said. “Five years after creating Evergy, we remain local and invested in the communities we serve. We have reduced our operating costs, our rates are more competitive, our power generation is more sustainable, and our service is more resilient.”
As part of the rate review, Evergy has requested an increased allowance for depreciation of investments to ensure that recovery of costs associated with an asset is aligned with the useful lives of those assets and the customers who benefit. Evergy has also asked to include funding for expected dismantlement costs to provide for appropriate decommissioning of power plants upon retirement.
This rate increase request includes investments made to replace legacy customer service systems with new, shared systems that provide for greater efficiency and that enable customer experience enhancements. This single platform enabled us to increase the number and types of online and self-service transactions either on the phone or online. Evergy has also expanded and improved payment capabilities, start and stop service, outage management capabilities, outage and billing notifications and energy management tools. In September 2022, Evergy launched a mobile app that includes often-used capabilities from the website.
The Evergy Kansas Central request includes recovery of its share of costs of IT systems shared across all Evergy customers. These shared systems are a key enabler of merger efficiencies that have resulted in savings of more than $110 million annually for Evergy Kansas Central customers, far exceeding the cost included in the request. Resolution of legacy Evergy Kansas Central items that constitute nearly $56 million of the rate increase request include the expiration of wholesale energy contracts which had contributed to lower rates during the contract term and managing the previously established end to a corporate owned life insurance program initiated in 1985.
Kansas rate requests follow an 8-month process before the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). New rates will become effective in December 2023. As part of the process, Evergy must demonstrate that its request is warranted, and the supporting costs are prudent. Evergy and other interested parties representing the Commission and consumers will submit and exchange information through briefs and filings available on the KCC website.
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About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG), serves 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.
Aging with Attitude Regional Expo Set for April 28th
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Another Story on Noble Health Corp Following Hospital Closures In Rural Missouri
Editors Note: This story from Kaiser Health News features a story on Noble Health that the Fort Scott City Commission and the Bourbon County Commission signed a contract with in July 2021 to facilitate Noble Health Corp’s feasibility study of reopening the former Mercy Hospital building as an acute care hospital.
To view the prior story: Noble Health Announces Reopening a Hospital in Fort Scott
In June 2022, Journalist Sarah Jane Tribble wrote an article on Noble Health:
Noble Health: History of Failed Health Care For Patients
Noble Health did not reopen the hospital in Fort Scott and the Bourbon Country Commission transferred ownership of the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills on November 17, 2022 to Legacy Health Foundation.
To view that contract:
View the Bourbon County/ Legacy Health Foundation Agreement
Yesterday, Tribble published another article on Noble Health failure aftermath and here it is.
Legal Questions, Inquiries Intensify Around Noble Health’s Rural Missouri Hospital Closures
A year after private equity-backed Noble Health shuttered two rural Missouri hospitals, patients and former employees grapple with a broken local health system or missing out on millions in unpaid wages and benefits.
The hospitals in Audrain and Callaway counties remain closed as a slew of lawsuits and state and federal investigations grind forward.
In March, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey confirmed a civil investigation. He had previously told local talk radio that there was an “ongoing” investigation into “the hospital issue.”
Bailey’s comment came weeks after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration notified executives tied to Noble Health, a startup, that they had violated federal laws and asked them to pay $5.4 million to cover unpaid employee health insurance claims, according to a 13-page letter detailing “interim findings” that was obtained by KHN.
The January letter confirms KHN’s previous reporting, which was informed by employees and patients who described missing paychecks; receiving unexpected, high-dollar medical bills; and going without care, including cancer treatment. According to the letter from federal investigators, the Noble hospitals and their corporate owners collected employee contributions for medical, dental, and vision insurance in 2021 and 2022 but then failed to fund the insurance plans.
The owners and executives were “aware of the harm to participants and, in some cases, were attempting to resolve individual participant complaints,” the letter states, adding that “despite the volume and gravity of complaints and bills received,” they failed to respond.
‘Tomfoolery’ and Doing ‘Everybody Dirty’
Marissa Hagedorn, who worked as a hospital laboratory technician, has spent much of the past year starting a new job, caring for her 2-year-old son who was born with spina bifida, and haggling over unpaid medical bills. She told KHN the family owes at least $8,000 for son Ryder’s specialty care in St. Louis, with $6,000 of that in collections. As a Noble employee, Hagedorn said, she was told repeatedly that her employee health insurance would cover Ryder’s care. It didn’t.
Noble has “done everybody dirty,” she said. “We just would like for some responsibility to be taken by this company that didn’t feel the need to get their act together.” Hagedorn’s story of unpaid bills, which was first reported by the local newspaper, the Mexico Ledger, is common among former Noble employees a year after the hospitals closed.
A former employee of the Fulton hospital has filed a class-action lawsuit intended to represent hundreds of employees from both hospitals.
The Jan. 13 letter from federal officials called for responses by Jan. 27 from Noble corporate and hospital executives as well as Platinum Neighbors, which last April bought the hospitals and assumed all liabilities. The letter instructs executives to contact the agency “to discuss how you intend to correct these violations, fund participant claims, and achieve compliance.”
Former employees say their claims have not yet been paid. A Labor Department spokesperson, Grant Vaught, said the agency could not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Separately, the Kansas Department of Labor is reviewing Noble and Platinum’s failure to pay wages and severance to corporate employees. Agency spokesperson Becky Shaffer confirmed that hearings took place in early February on a half-dozen cases totaling more than $1 million in claims for unpaid wages and severance.
Dave Kitchens was among those who filed claims against Noble Health. Kitchens worked briefly as a contract employee and then was hired in October 2021 as a corporate controller, an accounting role in which he was responsible for financial reporting and data analytics. Kitchens provided an audio recording of his hearing to KHN and hopes to eventually get paid more than $90,000 in lost wages, benefits, and severance pay. During the hearing, Kitchens told the administrative judge: “I would just like to be paid what I’m owed.”
Kitchens, who is also named as a fiduciary on the federal investigation, said he was not on Noble’s executive team. When asked by Kansas Administrative Law Judge James Ward whether he expected Noble or the secondary buyer Platinum to pay his wages, Kitchens responded he had “no idea who was in charge.”
“I believe there was some tomfoolery,” Kitchens said.
A ‘Rabbit Hole’ of Responsibility
Noble launched in December 2019 with executives who had never run a hospital, including Donald R. Peterson, a co-founder who prior to joining Noble had been accused of Medicare fraud. Peterson settled that case without admitting wrongdoing and in August 2019 agreed to be excluded for five years from Medicare, Medicaid, and all other taxpayer-funded federal health programs, according to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
By March 2022, the hospitals had closed and Noble offered explanations on social media, including “a technology issue” and a need to “restructure their operations” to keep the hospitals financially viable. In April, Texas-based Platinum Neighbors paid $2 for the properties and all liabilities, according to the stock purchase agreement.
Despite receiving approval for nearly $20 million in federal covid-19 relief money before it closed the hospitals — funds whose use is still not fully accounted for — Noble had stopped paying its bills, according to court records. Contractors, including nursing agencies, a lab that ran covid tests and landscapers, have filed lawsuits seeking millions.
In Audrain County, where community members still hope to reopen the hospital or build a new one, county leaders filed suit for the repayment of a $1.8 million loan they made to Noble. Former Missouri state senator Jay Wasson also filed suit in September, asking for repayment of a $500,000 loan.
Two Noble Health real estate entities filed bankruptcy petitions this year. One Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing names the Fulton hospital property in Callaway County as an asset and lists nearly $4.9 million in liabilities. A third bankruptcy filing by FMC Clinic includes Noble Health as a codebtor.
In the U.S. District Court of Kansas, Central Bank of the Midwest is suing Nueterra Capital over a $9.6 million loan Noble used to buy the Audrain hospital. The bank alleges Nueterra, a private equity and venture capital firm that in 2022 included Noble as part of its portfolio, signed off as the guarantor of the loan.
Federal investigators listed nearly a dozen people or entities connected to Noble Health as fiduciaries who they say are personally responsible for paying back millions in unpaid medical claims. The letter also detailed Noble Health’s ownership for the first time. The owners included William A. Solomon with a 16.82% share, Thomas W. Carter with a 16.82% share, The Peterson Trust with a 19.63%, and NC Holdings Inc. with 46.72%.
NC Holdings is also listed on the stock sale agreement with Platinum along with several signatures including Jeremy Tasset, chief executive of Nueterra Capital.
Tasset did not respond to a request for comment for this article. In an email to KHN in March 2022, the Nueterra Capital CEO wrote, “We are a minority investor in the real estate and have nothing to do with the operations of the hospitals.” In May 2022, Tasset wrote in an email to KHN that “everything was sold (real estate included) to Platinum Neighbors, a subsidiary of Platinum Team Management.”
It is unclear who owns and controls The Peterson Trust, which federal investigators identified. Peterson, who is listed on Noble’s state registration papers as a director and in other roles, didn’t respond to requests for comment for this article. He previously told KHN that his involvement in Noble didn’t violate his exclusion, in his reading of the law.
He said he owned 3% of the company, citing guidance from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Federal regulators may exclude companies if someone who is banned has ownership of 5% or more.
In March 2022, Peterson created Noble Health Services, which federal investigators note in their letter was “established to restructure the ownership of multiple Noble entities.” Peterson dissolved that company in July 2022, according to a Missouri business filing.
In September, Peterson posted on LinkedIn that he was “sitting in the Emirates Air lounge in Dubai” to finish up due diligence on “launching a new business.”
A 2013 OIG advisory states that “an excluded individual may not serve in an executive or leadership role” and “may not provide other types of administrative and management services … unless wholly unrelated to federal health care programs.”
KHN examined the federal system meant to stop health care business owners and executives from repeatedly bilking government health programs and found that it failed to do so.
The OIG keeps a public list of people and businesses it has banned from all federal health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. KHN’s review found a system devoid of oversight and rife with legal gray areas.
In the wake of KHN’s reporting, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who is the chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, said “it’s imperative that federal watchdogs can ensure bad actors are kept out of Medicare.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said the government needs to do more and “it’s also up to private-sector entities to do a better job checking against the exclusions list.”
“We can’t just depend on one or the other to do everything,” Grassley said.
In recent months, the Missouri hospitals appear to have been sold twice more, according to public records. Oregon-based Saint Pio of Pietrelcina notified state officials of a change of ownership in December and requested an extension of the hospital licenses, which was denied. In January, Audrain County officials, in its lawsuit, revealed another owner named Pasture Medical, which registered as a Wyoming company on Dec. 27, 2022.
“We haven’t come out of the rabbit hole on this one,” said Steve Bollin, director of the division of regulation and licensure for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Bollin’s agency, which conducts inspections and approves hospital changes in ownership, said he would support his agency doing financial reviews.
“It’s probably not a bad idea that someone takes a little bit deeper dive. We don’t have that many changes of ownership, but we would need appropriate staffing to do that, including some really good CPAs [certified public accountants].”
Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic Services Now at Nevada
Nevada Regional Medical Center recently announced the opening of an Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic aimed at giving patients more options in seeking help with mental health problems. Dr. Mark Stewart will begin seeing patients on Tuesday, March 28th. Hospital CEO Jason Anglin said, “We felt it was important to expand the services available to our patients looking for treatment options for behavioral health.”
Currently, NRMC offers the following services in the field of mental health. A structured adult inpatient unit which serves those over the age of 18 and a senior unit for adults over the age of 55. Additionally, one-on-one counseling appointments can be made at the Primary Care Clinic where Dr. Candice Moore, Child Psychiatrist; Jama Bogart, PMHNP; and Susie Platt, LCSW each have counseling practices.
The outpatient clinic will initially focus on patients 18 years of age and older and offer appointment times on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Some common conditions treated in an outpatient setting include anxiety disorders, depression, chemical dependency, personality disorders, self-harming behaviors and mental health problems related to sleep disorders.
The clinic will be located on the second floor of the hospital’s south tower in the Specialty Clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 417-448-2121.
About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of March 1
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting
March 1, 2023
- Welcome: Twenty members representing sixteen agencies attended. The Coalition Board will be meeting next week to finalize the applications for the swim pass program. Applications will be available at The Beacon and Buck Run throughout the month of April.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: Sandy sent word that the next Red Cross blood drive will be April 19 and 20; please contact her to volunteer for a two-hour shift.
- DeeDee LeFever, Greenbush: DeeDee helps match resources with needs.
- Dawn Cubbison, Aetna Better Health of Kansas: She is available to share information about Medicaid redetermination which will start next month.
- Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis and CASA: both organizations need volunteers; CASA does not have enough volunteers to support the children they have been assigned.
- Dave Gillen, The Beacon: They continue to receive produce on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; clients can shop on the back porch. They also help with rent and utility assistance and have a limited number of taxi passes. Beacon hours are 9:00 – 1:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- LeaLay Karleskint, K-State Snap Ed: She is still looking for partners to provide space for her classes which provide nutrition education.
- Lisa Robertson, COPE and CHC: COPE works with partners to help people find resources. The COPE grant runs until December, 2023; they are now working on the extension. They have been able to help 219 individuals in less than one year.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: Alan is able to do some things to help that are not the usual types of assistance. He is working with a new program: SSVF = Supplemental Services for Veterans families. This organization helps veterans find housing.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Works: Christine works with ages 16-24 with GED, training, work experience; she can also help with resumes. The office is located within the HBCAT office with hours Monday through Friday.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: For the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program, Tammy comes to Fort Scott to meet wherever the mom feels comfortable. Her pre-natal program can now do tours of the labor and delivery units at Via Christi.
- Lindsey McNeil, KU COPE grant: The Local Health Equity Action Team has been able to provide freezers for Feeding Families and make partial payment for windows at the Senior Citizens Center. The team stresses homeless housing and transportation. Meetings are every other Thursday from 6-7; contact any COPE person to become involved or Rachel Carpenter at the HBCAT office.
- Amy Hagan, Family Support Specialist at CHC: her main function is to provide support for mothers.
- Maggie Young, Bourbon County Community Engagement Manager for CHC will be doing canned food drives in the near future.
- Nick Johnson, USD 234 PreSchool: Screening this month will be on March 24; the Spring Fling on April 6; Kindergarten Round-Up on April 19; PreSchool Round-Up on May 5. The community is working to start a Childcare Coalition; please contact Nick if you wish to be involved.
- Kelli Mengarelli, Early Childhood Block Grant: Kelli partners with childcare providers to ensure quality child care.
- Michelle Stevenson: Her program is full right now but she will always take referrals. Michelle works within the preschool building with children prenatal through age 6.
- Amy Boyd: Amy is actively working on finding additional quality childcare for children aged newborn to three.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: She has a total of 190 units; right now there is a wait list for all size units, but applications, based on income, can still be made. The Housing Authority has office hours Monday throught Friday.
- Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice: Gentiva will host a resource fair on April 7, 9-11 a.m. in Homer Cole, Pittsburg. A Community Healthcare partner, Autumn Green, an attorney, will be talking about advance directives.
- Program: Bailey Lyons, Meredith Tucker, and Katie Hueston provided information about the first completely accessible park in Fort Scott: the Splash Pad. Although they still have about $40,000 to raise, they plan to have the park operational by Good ‘Ol Days. The park will be free of charge and open from dawn to dusk. Once the Splash Pad is installed and functional, they will begin on Phase 2 which will include fencing and bathrooms.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be April 5, at 1:00 p.m. Carson Felt and an ensemble from the FSHS orchestra will present our program.