Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Unofficial Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on January 9

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Unofficial minutes

The RegularUniontown Council Meeting on January 8, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  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

Oath of Office was administered to newly elected councilmembers by Clerk Johnson.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger present the December 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $243,781.59, Receipts $73,292.55, Transfers Out $19,054.68, Expenditures $62,540.26, Checking Account Closing Balance $235,479.20. Bank Statement Balance $244,368.14, including Checking Account Interest of $53.92, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,888.94, Reconciled Balance $235,479.20.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,083.20, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,153.58, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,862.06, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $332,578.04. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $923.79, and Utility CDs $1,091.36 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,015.15.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of December 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  December Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 to General Fund $2,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $1,000; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to General Fund $3,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $1,000, to Security Meter Deposit $9.56; from Gas Utility Fund to General Fund $3,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $3,000, to Security meter Deposit $19.12; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Not  Specified $3,000 for Total Transfers of $19,054.68.  Net Loss for the month of December $8,302.39, Year-to-Date Net Loss $108,072.77.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $124,626.63 (102.0%), Expenditures $119,097.15 (74.3%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $36,864.03 (100%), Expenditures $34,036.23 (82.7%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $137,399.07 (87.7%), Expenditures $163,108.78 (72.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $207,072.57 (138.3%), Expenditures $156,498.76 (84.5%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,152.71 (109.3%), Expenditures $9,525.56 (75.6%).  The January 2024 estimated payables to date in the amount of $28,498.47 were presented.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:

  • Minutes of December 12, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
  • Destruction of records for 2013 and prior
  • Resolution 2024-0108-1 – 2024 GAAP Waiver

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich requested to shut off the water and close the public restroom for the winter.  After water is shut off, the doors will be locked and signs will be placed on the doors.

He gave an update on the sewer issue at 100 Second St – the issue is on the property owners side of the sewer service.  It is recommended that when new line is tapped into main it includes a trace wire (all utilities).

The sewer main in the alley between Hill St and Clay St was backing up.  A screen was used when cleaned out to see what was blocking the flow.  Screen was full of feminine hygiene products.  A request to not flush certain items was put in the January newsletter.

The quote from CAS Constructors, LLC for labor to replace the butterfly water valve at the master meter is $4,720.  Valve, actuator, and solenoid have been ordered and still several weeks from delivery.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to accept quote in the amount of $4,720 from CAS Constructors, LLC to remove existing butterfly valve and replace with new actuated butterfly valve

 

Mayor Jurgensen asked for a followup on the standing water in the drainage ditch from midway between Third St and Second St to the railroad right-of-way box culvert.  Source of water is still undetermined.

 

Mayor Jurgensen reported that he spoke to owner of 201 Second St about the fallen fence and yard.  Tenants have picked up and stacked fallen fence and cleaned up yard.  It was also reported that improvements at 404 Washington are continuing.

 

Clerk Johnson reported the Kansas Health and Environment Labs schedule of fees are projected to increase 35% effective May, 2024.

She gave an update on the finance and utility billing software implementation.

Johnson received information regarding National Flood Insurance Plan training.  As Uniontown has not significant flood risk, she will not attend but will pass on information to her replacement.

Also received a notice regarding Information Technology/Operational Technology Essentials Workshop.  Council did not feel anyone should attend, but Superintendent Rich could attend if he wanted to.

She received notice of a rate increase from C2 today that will be effective with the January reading.  Service fee will increase from $20 to $25/month, usage rate will increase $.23/1000 gallons, a 5.22% overall increase.  Johnson presented options for city customer rate increase to be effective with the January readings to reflect the increase from C2.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to approve Ordinance No. 204 repealing Ordinance No. 195, relating to water rates and amending any previous ordinances for resolutions setting forth water rates for the City of Uniontown, Kansas with inside city limits minimum charge of $27.16 for the first 1,000 gallons or part thereof and $12.74/1,000 gallons over the first 1,000; for customers outside city limits minimum charge of $28.40 for the first 1,000 gallons or part thereof and $13.31/1,000 gallons over the first 1,000 to take effect on the January 26, 2024 billing

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – nothing

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – severe weather is forecasted for the weekend.  A member update had not been received from KMGA as of meeting, Clerk Johnson will reach out for an update.  He also reminded council that dog/cat registrations period is now until March 31.  It was asked if we would host a rabies clinic again this year.  Clerk Johnson with reach out to Dr Holeman for a late March date.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Placemaking project – Grant check has been received and work will begin when weather permits.

 

Pond Project – contractor is still waiting on county for rock.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Water Meter Replacement Plan – after discussion, we will start with a few this year and budget in the following years for more to have on hand and replace when needed.  Superintendent Rich stated he would need help to remove/replace some of the meters as some of the meters are pretty deep in the well.

 

Clerk Johnson asked when and where to advertise for the City Clerk position.  Mayor Jurgensen asked her to send the clerk’s job description to the council in next month’s packet and put a non-elected personnel executive session for on the agenda to discuss duties and benefits.

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:33PM

Art, Bourbon County

Call for Entries – Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Art Exhibit – 2024

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The Bourbon County Arts Council announces its 32nd Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit, to be held at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, Thursday, February 29th, through Saturday, March 9th.

The mixed media competition is open to artists aged 16 and older.  Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.

A new themed category has been included; the theme this year is “ART OF EVERYDAY LIFE”.  An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.

Entry fees are $7.50 per piece for Bourbon County Arts Council members and $10.00 per piece for non-members.

Artists may enter up to five pieces, but only three in any one category.  Entry deadline and payment are due by February 23rd, 2024.

Cash awards totaling over $3500.00 will be made, for Best of Show in 2D and 3D, First and Second Place winners in each category, and a Popular Vote winner.

Entry requested by calling Deb Anderson at 620-224-8650, Deb Halsey at (620)224-0684, or e-mailing [email protected].

PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting pieces shipped to BCAC for entry into the exhibit.

The schedule for this year’s Exhibit is as follows:  Entry forms and payment, as stated above, are due by February 23rd

. No late entries will be accepted.  Artwork will be accepted at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on Sunday February 25th, between 1 and 4 pm.

 Juror critique of the artwork will occur on Wednesday February 28th; this is closed to artists and the public.

The BCAC will host a Chamber Coffee Thursday February 29th at 8:00 am at the Ellis Center.

A reception, open to the public, will be held for participating artists and the Juror that evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

The Exhibit will be open for public viewing on Thursday, February 29th through Friday March 8th, from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and on Saturday, March 9th, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Simmons Retires From Care to Share

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Lavetta Simmons, Teresa Davenport, and Joy O’Neal, the founders of Care to Share. Submitted photo.

After 16 years in an organization she helped found, Lavetta Simmons is retiring.

The genesis of the organization was a Relay for Life of Bourbon County event in 2007, at that time Teresa Davenport was going through her cancer fight, Joy O’Neal was a cancer survivor and Lavetta Simmons had been a caregiver to both her parents who had died of cancer.

“Teresa Davenport said, ‘When I get cancer-free, I would like to start a cancer support group,'”Simmons said. Joy O’Neal and  Lavetta Simmons volunteered to help.

That cancer support group started in 2007, with a Fort Scott family’s four-year-old daughter who had been diagnosed.

Through the efforts of  Davenport and her classmates, along with O’Neal and Simmons, a fundraiser was formed and close to $7,000 was raised for the family. Today, that girl has moved into her future.

“We each had our things to do to make it happen and we made it happen!” Simmons said.

In 2008, during the group’s first meeting at Mercy’s McAuley Center, the name Care to Share was chosen and a decision was made to meet quarterly.

“Our first year, we cared and we shared, through calls, visits, and prayer,” Simmons said. “During this time we were able to see the financial suffering that our fighters were going through as we gave them emotional support.”

In 2009, Lavetta announced at a meeting that she would like to help the cancer fighters financially

“That’s when The Sharing Bucket was added to the Care to Share Cancer Support Group, with the idea of fundraising with our group and our bucket never going empty,” she said.  “The three of us came together, met with a lawyer to form a non-profit 501c3 organization…and chose a board of directors.”

The group introduced itself to the community at the 2009 Home and Garden Show.

“The year 2009 was a financial struggle for all of us with some very God-given moments and stories to pass on”, she said. “During this time, we added that Care To Share is ‘God Given, God Driven.'”

“In 2010,  Fort Scott lost a very caring lady to cancer. She had struggled for many years,” Simmons said. “She left her memorials to us. We had never thought about receiving memorials. She was the first, and her memorials were $7,840. She blessed us with an
amount that was way beyond our dreams. The family asked that we invest a portion of it with the idea that Care To Share Cancer Support/The Sharing Bucket would go on forever. So we did, and we have grown it to a very nice amount today.”

“Our community has joined us and blessed us over and over again,” she said. “Each meeting we grew, each fundraiser we grew, each visit we grew. It has been the most amazing heart-touching God Driven; God Given thing, and has driven us all closer and closer
to God.”

“Last year we cared and shared financially 1,274 times with a total amount of $97,137.89!” she said. “That was only financial assistance, not counting the calls, texts, messages, emails, meals, rides, Ensure supplements, etc.”

“We never know where God is directing us next,” she said. ” We have followed and believe  if God brings you to it, God will bring
you through It.”

The caring and sharing community made it possible, she said.

“But, I also want to mention that this could never happen without my family, and my extended family… My family has lived the journey. We were there when my parents took their last breaths. We have been there for so many cancer fighters and their families in our communities and we have been there for every fundraiser that has been put together for The Sharing Bucket.”

Her immediate family has all grown up, she said.

“They now have families of their own,” she said. “…So there comes a time when maybe we have to let go?? How do we do that? We don’t know?”

“Well, we figured it out. God, Family, Care to Share has always been our motto,” she said.  Now she is caring and sharing with her family.

” I now care for two of my great-grandbabies,” she said. Daily her time is given to Lillian, 3, and Austyn, 1 month,

“Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket has blessed me over and over, through our caring and sharing with every cancer fighter and their families, and through caring and
sharing through our wonderful giving community. I will always have a place close to my heart for it.
THANK YOU FOR CARING AND SHARING,” Simmons said.

The group shares this scripture with the cancer fighters, “as we believe in it and want to give them faith as well, Matthew 17:20
IF YOU HAVE FAITH AS SMALL AS A MUSTARD SEED, NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU,” she said.

 Cory Bryars, Vice President of the Care to Share Board wrote this about Simmons:
“They say charity can come in the form of time, talent, and treasure.  For most of us, we have to choose which one or maybe two of those to give as we take care of the rest of our lives. Lavetta gave all three, zealously,” he said.
“As a co-founder of Care to Share and as a leader of day-to-day activities as well as the Board of Directors, Lavetta has helped generate over $1.2 million in support of our local cancer communities,” he said.
“She has given her time taking countless calls at all hours of the day and night from families desperate for support during the difficulties of their cancer journeys. Lavetta has visited cancer survivors and their families in times of dire need with open arms, an open heart, and an open Care to Share wallet to help them get over whatever hurdle they were facing that day,” he said.
“Lavetta’s commitment and passion brought generous giving from her family and friends, and our entire community is immeasurably better off through her efforts,” he said. “She is warm, caring, compassionate, organized and efficient and she gave those talents to SEK cancer fighters through Care to Share.”
“We thank and honor Lavetta for her vision, her passion, and her dedication and support as she passes the torch to the next round of Care to Share leadership.”
Care to Share continues with Teresa Davenport as the president, Joy O’Neal died in 2022.
There will be an open house at the Care to Share new office located at 401 Woodland Hills on January 22.
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Schools, Youth

Strategies to Prevent Sex Trafficking Presented to the Community This Month

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January is Sex Trafficking Awareness Month.

A special presentation on strategies to prevent sex trafficking will be happening on Wednesday, January 31 at 6 p.m. at Fort Scott Community College Ellis Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton.

Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to this presentation  “due to some of the explicit videos and information that will be shared that evening,” said Shanda Stewart.

“I just retired in November after 29 years with the State of Kansas, 6th Judicial District as a Probation Office,” Stewart said. “I got to hear Russ Tuttle’s presentation at a conference I attended in October and was so blown away with the information; I thought we have got to get him to Bourbon County. I was able to network with the right people to make it happen!”

“Your perception of sex trafficking and what it is, will be completely changed,” she said.

Youth will get a version for themselves the next day and faculty and staff will have a presentation at an in-service day in USD 234.

“On Thursday, February 1st the presenter, Russ Tuttle will be doing age-appropriate assemblies at all four of the USD 234 schools,” Stewart said.  “On Friday, February 2nd he will do a presentation for all faculty and staff during their teacher in-service day.”

BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project® to end domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)before it starts by disrupting the exploitation of vulnerability.

This adults-only community presentation focuses on the role of life online (the internet) for students, to educate and empower caring adults in our community to prevent sex trafficking, according to a press release.

Caring adults in the community who are  invited to attend:

  • Law enforcement
  • Firefighters and EMT’s
  • Medical professionals
  • Counselors
  • Faith community leaders
  • School personnel
  • Parents, guardians, and all other adult family members

Students are enamored with social media and “life online,” according to the press release from Stewart.

The event will provide practical advice to caring adults to guide and make them aware of vulnerabilities that can be exploited such loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide, sexting, sextortion, pornography, cyberbullying, exploitation, sexual exploitation, and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)

The presentation will be a fast-moving PowerPoint.

The presenter, Russ Tuttle, is an active abolitionist who has command of the topic and speaks with energy that grabs and keeps the attention of attendees, according to the press release.

The presentation will have images and videos to provide insight into the role of technology in exploiting vulnerabilities, identify the demand in this high-demand business of sexual exploitation, provide the option to engage with the BeAlert® Strategy, the Stop Trafficking App, and the ‘top ten practical steps’ for adults to keep students safer.

No children, please at the January 31 presentation.

For more information, contact Stewart at 620.215.2681.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

 Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) Fort Scott Closing Operations

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Value Merchandisers Company is located at 4805 Campbell Dr. in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. This is a 2017 photo of the building.

January 8, 2024

Due to the completion of the state-of-the-art All-In-One (AIO) Distribution Hub in Hernando, Miss., we will be closing operations at our Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) facility located in Fort Scott, Kan.

We will transition the majority of VMC Fort Scott’s inventory and shipments to the AIO and expect the transition to be
completed by the end of March 2024.

Our employees at this facility have worked hard and done an excellent job providing retailers with the best variety of quality Health & Beauty Care (HBC), General Merchandise (GM) and Specialty Foods (SF) at the lowest cost to drive sales since the facility was built in 1995.

This was not an easy decision, and we sincerely appreciate
the dedication the employees here have shown.
We are committed to helping all impacted employees through their transition to other opportunities, including potential opportunities within AWG.

Emile Breaux, Senior Vice President, Chief Sales & Support Officer, AWG

ABOUT ASSOCIATED WHOLESALE GROCERS, INC.:
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned
supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale
Divisions.

Bourbon County

Wreaths Across America Wreath Retirement Day is January 20

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January 20, 2024 has been designated as wreath retirement day at Fort Scott National Cemetery, beginning at 8AM, according to Diann Tucker, location coordinator for Wreaths Across America.  Volunteers to pick up wreaths, small flatbed trailers, pickups and other vehicles for hauling wreaths up to the provided dumpsters are needed.
    The response to lay wreaths back in December was overwhelming, but now it is time to remove them.  Your help is still needed to complete this year’s event.
    A last reminder that the Matching Funds Campaign ends January 16.  For each wreath we get purchased until January 16 we will get a free wreath donated to the cemetery for 2024 to be placed for a soldier who has not otherwise been sponsored.  This allows your donations to double in value.  Donations should be payable to Wreaths Across America and can be mailed to or left at Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Bourbon County, Youth

Barnstormers 4-H Club Minutes of December 13

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  On December 13 the Barnstormers 4-H club called the meeting and annual Christmas party to order at 6:06 p.m.
The roll call was , “What is your favorite Christmas tradition?”  which 18 members answered and 11 parents were also in attendance.  The secretary minutes and treasures report were given and stood as read.
All members were informed of the upcoming 4-H days and the club received $210.00 from Producers Cooperative of Girard as a donation.
Emroy Ellis gave his demonstration project talk how to make slime and allowed everyone to feel it.
  The Barnstormers ended the meeting at 6:32 p.m. with Gracyn Pitts making a motion and Olive Ellis seconding.
Following the adjournment everyone gathered for some Christmas games with snacks and desserts to eat brought from families.  This year’s club shirts were collected prior to leaving.
Jewel Endicott
Barnstormers 4-H club secretary
Jack Endicott
Barnstormers 4-H club reporter
Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the December 18 Bo Co Commission

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December 18, 2023                                                                  Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Jason Silvers, Patty Ropp, Lora Holdridge, and Michael Hoyt were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute.

 

Jim made a motion to open the 2023 budget amendment hearing. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer explained the funds of Road and Bridge, Road and Bridge Sales Tax, and EMS were going to be amended to give budget authority to spend the additional funds that have came in this year. Jim opened the public comments section of the hearing. There were no public comments. Clifton made a motion to close the 2023 budget amendment hearing. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to approve the 2023 budget amendment. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, presented an application of membership with Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative. The county has been a part of the cooperative for many years, however; Heartland REC requested the county complete the application that they did not have on file. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the application of membership for Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. The county received an invitation to the Bourbon County REDI Gala that will be held on December 30. Jennifer asked if there would be more than one Commissioner in attendance that evening and after discussion the Commissioners decided they would not be attending. Jennifer stated that due to the upcoming holidays falling on Monday this would be the last regularly scheduled meeting until January 8th. Jennifer and Patty Love, Treasurer, discussed a KORA request that was made for information regarding their non-elected employees and questioned how the individual who submitted the KORA request received the information about bonuses in their departments when some employees did not even know they were receiving a bonus yet.

 

Clifton made amotion to reconvene the meeting at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd at 6:00. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Jim reconvened the meeting a 6:00.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 60-mnute 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, the County Counselor, REDI Board President and three board members, all five members of the Fort Scott Board of City Commissioners, City Attorney, and City Manager. Garth Herman and Greg Cotton will also be present via Zoom. The executive session will remain in the conference room until 7:03 with the members of the public exiting to the lobby. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 7:03 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-mnute 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, the County Counselor, REDI Board President and three board members, all five members of the Fort Scott Board of City Commissioners, City Attorney, and City Manager. Garth Herman and Greg Cotton will also be present via Zoom. The executive session will remain in the conference room until 7:15 with the members of the public exiting to the lobby. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 7:15 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 12-11-23, approval of payroll totaling $290,776.36, and approval of accounts payable totaling $448,457.08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, notified the Commissioners that the #140 Mack truck would be back from the shop tomorrow. Eric said there was an issue with the sight triangle at 245th & Soldier Road. They have removed trees so now traffic can see from the intersection. Eric presented an agreement for bridge 26.0-Y-1.0, which is located south of Garland, that outlines bridge inspections with Vernon County, MO. The county line goes down the middle of the bridge and currently both counties are having bridge inspections preformed, but the State and Federal government are requiring an agreement outlining how inspections will be handled. Clifton made a motion to allow all three Commissioners to sign the agreement with Vernon County on bridge 26.0-Y-1.0. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Eric updated the Commissioners on a software issued that happened last Thursday which now has them locked out of CIC PublicWorks. Eric said billings will be delayed until the company can get them back in. Dustin Hall, Assistant Public Works Director, spoke about a 2008 Bomag landfill compactor they have found on Purple Wave with a current bid of $20,500. Dustin said a new machine would be around $600,000. Dustin went to view the machine in El Dorado and drove it. The company that owns it purchased it new and the engine has been replaced and has approximately 2006 hours on it. Dustin said machine will help extend the life of our landfill by potentially 40% and will hold up better that the dozer we currently use for the construction and demolition material. Dustin said they are asking permission to spend up to $100,000 on the machine. Jim said the dozer is not equipped for using it at the landfill and will save dozer repairs and add years of life to the landfill. Clifton asked how they plan on paying for it. Dustin said they have some funds in the landfill account that they were going to use to pay the building off early in March but they feel this will help our landfill out. Clifton made a motion to allow Public Works to bid up to $100,000 for a Bomag landfill compactor on Purple Wave. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson said he was informed by a resident that west of Highway 3 on Grand Road is very muddy.

 

Clifton thanked the City of Fort Scott Commissioners for coming. Clifton asked Sheriff Martin and Undersheriff Davidson if they use CIC. Sheriff Martin said they use it for payroll and accounts payable. Jim stated that as Chairman he is to run the meeting and stated the agenda is a guideline that can be amended at any time and any Commissioner can ask to amend the agenda. Nelson stated they have been praying at every meeting and he has been advised today they could be sued for it. Justin said anyone can pray, but when a government entity prays, they have to give everyone the chance to pray because my beliefs may be different than your beliefs. There was discussion held regarding if prayer would be added back to the agenda. Nelson stated during his Commission comment time he would pray to Jesus and anyone who wished to join him could do so. Jim and Clifton thanked Nelson after he held a prayer.

 

Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                   ___________________, Commissioner

 

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

1-8-2024                     Approved Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

How to Avoid Scams and Fraud this Thursday

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Landmark National Bank…..

Protect Your Money!

How to Avoid Scams and Fraudsters

Join Landmark and Bank Manager Matthew Chaplin to learn how to spot a scam and SAY NO!

*Grandparent Scams

*Microsoft Scams

*Lottery Scams

*P2P Scams

*and MORE!

Date: Thursday, January 11th

Time: 2pm

Place: Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

It is important to RSVP as Presbyterian Village needs to know how many people are attending for seating.

RSVP by January 10th: Marla Heckman 620.223.5550
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Ownership Change at Bourbon County Cars

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Dave Shepherd and Josh Jones. Submitted photo.

 

David Shepherd has turned ownership of Bourbon County Cars  over to Josh Jones.

 

Bourbon County Cars.Submitted photos.

Shepherd started Boubon County Cars, Inc. in 2013 after he sold Shepherd Team Auto Plaza to Briggs Auto Group in 2016.  He sold his used car business to Josh Jones, the company’s General Manager for the last seven and a half years on January 3.

Shepherd said “Josh and I have been discussing and working toward this sale for the last 12 months or so.  He has done a great job running our company, takes excellent care of customers, and has a very good business mind.  I’m confident that he will successfully own and operate Bourbon County Cars and continue to serve the transportation needs of our community.”

In 2008 Josh Jones and his father purchased Fort Scott Sanitation, and in 2010 he bought out his father in the business, then sold the business in 2014 to a national company.

“Then I got into property rentals and started with Bourbon County Cars in 2016,” Jones said. “I sold most of my rentals in 2022.”

“Everything will be run the same,” Jones said. “Since I started David has let me  have full control.”

“I knew at a young age I wanted to be a business owner, I had a hard time working a regular job,” he said. “Then I started working for David, he’s the best.”

Shepherd has been in the automobile business in Fort Scott for 52 years.  After 44 years, he sold Shepherd Team Auto Plaza to the Briggs Auto Group in 2016.  Both Shepherd and Jones are lifelong residents of Fort Scott and graduates of Fort Scott High School.
“I will pop into the store for a bit almost daily; mostly staying out of the way,, to see if I can help in any way,” Shepherd said. ” I will continue to be a part of several organizations like the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Community Health Center  Board, and CORE Community. I’ll stay busy.”
Bourbon County Cars has three other employees:  Josh Binford, Dale Gauthier, and Bud Hall and it is located at the intersection of South National and 69 Highway bypass across from Briggs of Fort Scott.
The business phone number is 620-223-1435 and hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.