Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of March 30

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March 30, 2021                                              Tuesday 9:00 am

 

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

 

Also present were the following; (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Mark McCoy, Anne Dare, Kim Simons, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Bill Martin and Ben Cole.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meetings, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the minutes.

 

Eric Bailey presented culvert permits to the Commissioners, which they signed; they were for Clint Hazen at 2556 Limestone, Larry Shead at 2468 Cavalry and T&C Wildlife at 2461 Arrowhead.

 

Eric Bailey said they are working on capping the C&D at the Landfill.  He said they are working on washouts around the County and are patching potholes near Garland.  Eric said they are in the process of moving from the Shepherd Quarry to the Beth Quarry.

 

Eric said regarding the windfarm that the company is moving forward with capping the roads beginning in an area at 20th & Eagle, then 39 to Eagle then 40th – 50th.  Eric said he gets a plan of the day everyday from the company that tells him the area they are working on.  He said he, Frank Young and Todd Foxx looked at bridges and culverts.

 

Jim asked Eric if he had a ditching plan for the year; Eric said he is working on it and said he would be working with the grader operators when developing the plan.

 

Maura Chambers and Harvey Felzke with KCAMP insurance met with the Commissioners; Bourbon County currently uses KCAMP for property and liability insurance, but is taking bids for insurance for 2022. KCAMP: pooling is an interlocal agency formed under Kansas statute allowing public entities to jointly self-insure their property and casualty risks. There are many advantages to pooling, such as sharing the cost of risk among similar entities, determining scope/terms of own coverage, control claims and litigation management, reaping benefits of group purchase.  KCAMP is member owned, member funded and member directed.  They said that 80% of the 90,000 public entities in the U.S. obtain coverage from a risk pool.  71 of the 105 counties in Kansas are members of KCAMP.  KCAMP offers tailored coverage, risk management services (attorney assist, Kansas legal based jail guidelines, law enforcement model policies, online university, on-site training and seminars, risk avoidance grants – if the County completes any of the criteria in this category then KCAMP will give money back to the County, risk management awards, roads scholar tuition reimbursement program, and ThinkHR). Lynne thanked KCAMP for the speediness of the process of paying claims.

 

Appraiser Clint Anderson met with the Commissioners regarding the ratio; he said the new valuation notices have been sent out and said that values haven’t been rising as quickly as the sales, he said a lot of people received substantial increases to their value.  He said owners do have the opportunity to appeal the value of their property.  It was stated that a lot of the properties on the market have contracts on them.  Bourbon County has an NRP program which offers tax refunds for new construction and remodels; anyone interested should contact the Appraisers office with any questions.

 

Lynne said the County has a radio spot on KMDO every Tuesday morning and said someone needs to do this spot to discuss what is going on in the County; he and Eric did the spot today to discuss wind generators.  Bill Martin asked if the radio time was only for elected officials or could other people from the County talk during the radio time; Lynne said if someone wanted to talk during the radio time they could contact him and he would notify the radio station of who would be speaking.  Jim made a motion that Lynne continues to manage the radio spot, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Justin Meeks said he had reviewed the documents from the State of Kansas – Project No. 6X-3109-01 for a crossing signal at 240 Street 3 miles SE of Fort Scott; the only cost the County will have in this project is to install and maintain advance warning signs.  Jim made a motion to approve to put in the crossing signal and to allow Lynne to sign the agreement, Clifton seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the agreement.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve Resolution 16-21, a wage resolution increasing the Assistant County Attorney’s wages, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the Resolution.

 

Justin said he had a 10 year lease ready for the City of Fort Scott to move the 911 dispatch center to the old jail facility.   He said it is $500/month for the lease and said this money would reduce what the County pays the City for dispatch.  Jim Harris asked Justin how he came up with the $500 figure; Justin said he talked to Shane and Susan about this, Justin said he thought it was a reasonable amount, Jim said he thought it was too low.  Lynne said dispatch has a $600,000 budget; Bill Martin said he agreed that dispatch needed to move and said he felt the Courthouse would be a good location, but said he would like to see a breakdown of the $600,000 budget, Bill suggested a communication board to cover dispatch.  Justin said they could put a breakdown of the $600,000 budget on next week’s agenda.  Justin said this is not a consolidation of government, but said this is a lease agreement, Lynne said the City and County are still separate entities, Lynne said there could be a shared service for an HR director.  The Commissioners will discuss the lease agreement again next week.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property to discuss additional parking areas around the Courthouse, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:34, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin).  After the session, Lynne made a motion to come out of executive session and back into open session, Clifton seconded and all approved.  Jim made a motion to allow Justin to meet with property owners to negotiate to purchase their property for a future parking lot, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss a possible termination and a medical issue, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:47, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks).  At 10: 44, Clifton made a motion to come out of executive session and resume their meeting with no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship with possible litigation, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:55, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks).  At 10:55, Clifton made a motion to come out of executive session, back into open session and said no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Justin Meeks presented a Corporate Guaranty from WEC Energy Group on behalf of Jayhawk Wind LLC regarding the windfarm road use agreement; the maximum aggregate liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty is limited to the amount of $250,000.  This will be on file in the County Clerk’s office.

 

Justin said that Community Health Center wants to submit a bid to the County to do the same thing as the Southeast Kansas Health Board does.  Justin said the renewal date for the Health Board contract is in May of 2021.  Justin suggesting inviting both entities to the County so they can talk about their functions.  Lynne made a motion to allow Clifton to contact CHC and the SEK Multi County Health Board to have them give a breakdown of services and finances, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Public Comment: Anne Dare questioned if the Commissioners signed the lease for the City to lease space for dispatch; Lynne said they did not sign the lease.  Anne asked for an update on the hospital building; the Commissioners said they had no updates, Clifton said his goal is still the same, which is to have sustainable healthcare in Bourbon County.  Clifton said the Mercy building is still owned by Mercy.  It was stated that the County had until 3/31/2021 to decide on the building; Justin said an extension was signed between CHC and Ascension and Mercy for the building and said the deadline to sign or not sign for the County to accept the building had been extended as well. Kim Simons asked if they were still trying to do a medical mall; Justin said that is out of our control, Clifton said as a private citizen he would like to see CHC stay as well as anyone else that wanted to come to town could have that ability.  He said his goal is to have an emergency room.  Clifton said he didn’t care what building they were going to be in.  Kim said if they have their own building is the County still taking the Mercy building; Clifton said he had no interest in putting a $500,000 tax burden on the tax payers, Jim said he agreed.  Justin said there are still active ongoing negotiations and said the citizens have been supplementing healthcare for years; Clifton said the County is supplementing healthcare, but said his goal is to not increase that number. There was discussion over the dialysis center closing; Clifton said he thought in 5 years the trend might change and said he hopes we get some medical services back to the County.  Clint Walker questioned how much the Assistant County Attorney would be making with the new wage resolution; Lynne said $80,000 and said they had previously approved this, but had not adopted a resolution for this.  Clifton asked to view the 1989 reappraisal map; Justin said he could see this in the Register of Deeds office.

 

Commissioner Comment: Clifton said he had heard comments about combining the City/County and said he had no intentions of doing this, he said there are shared services they can do to save money.  Lynne said the more money they save gives them the opportunity to lower taxes.  Lynne said as a private citizen he would like to see more children’s services; he mentioned poverty and said there is a need for activities for kids, he said they need things to do in a structured environment.  Jim questioned how many kids went to bed hungry each night; Justin said 87% of the students in our school district are on free or reduced lunches.  Justin said he would gather the demographics and present it to the Commissioners at a later date.

 

Justin said there are global issues that affect the County; he said the County has never had a centralized HR person and said a lot of litigation comes out of bad employment practices.  He said there is no one in place to handle the duties of exit interviews, pre-employment drug screenings, sexual harassment training, job satisfaction, job retention, yearly training, employee evaluations, etc.  Justin said these employment procedures can protect the County from future liability. Jim Harris said felt the County has needed this for many years and said his opinion was that he would like to see this as a fulltime position.  Justin said currently we do not have anyone to write a simple termination letter.  Justin said in the past he has listened and interviewed employees on issues, but said the HR director should contact legal counsel. Justin said this could be a shared service; he said another municipality has an HR director.  Justin said this person could update the job descriptions; Lynne said the County needs a new employee handbook, Lynne said this would be a function of the HR director, Justin said as the County Counselor he shouldn’t be writing it, but should review it.  Justin said he thought the County had 3 options: hire a fulltime HR person, have a shared service for the HR duties or have someone internally do it for more compensation.  Lynne said they could reorganize existing staff.

 

Clifton made a motion that Lynne and he (if available) attend the SEK 17 County meeting on April 22nd in Yates Center, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

At 11:38, Jim made a motion to adjourn, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

April 6, 2021, Approved Date

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Housing

BEDCO Projects: Eco Devo Director, Meat Plant, Arena, Housing

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Greg Motley. President of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council. Submitted photo.

Bourbon County Economic Development Council is working to find a full-time economic development director, facilitate the starting of the new meat process plant, facilitate a new multi-purpose arena, and expanding housing in the area, according to Greg Motley, president.

 

Eco Devo

BEDCO began a search for an economic development director a few months ago and had one narrowed down, but that person has declined the position, Greg Motley, president of BEDCO said.

 

“The process was restarted,” Motley said.  “In the meantime, I will be acting director.”

“We will continue interviews until the position is filled,”he said.

 

“Since 1992, BEDCO has been at the center of Economic Development in Bourbon County, and under the guidance of a reconstituted board that represents the whole county, we are stronger than ever,” Motley said in a press release.

 

Economic development services provided by BEDCO are primarily matching resources to the economic needs of county entities and businesses, he said.

 

Motley gave some details of three other projects on the horizon.

 

Meat Processing Plant

The proposed entry to the micro meat processing plant south of the KDOT building on Hwy. 69, just off Hickory Road. The road will be extended to the south for access to the plant.
The KDOT building located on Hwy. 69.

 

“Since the Micro-meat processing plant was approved, we are moving forward with facilitating the land/lots swap between KW Cattle, Billy Madison and BEDCO,” he said.

The 7 acres owned by BEDCO is being traded with WK Cattle company for the site on Hwy. 69, south of the KDOT building. The parcel of land is at the corner of Jayhawk Road and Liberty Bell Road in Fort Scott Industrial Park.

“KW Cattle is swapping 46 acres south of the (KDOT )State Highway facility on the east side of 69 Highway for two industrial park tracts,” Motley said.  “One is about seven acres, the other is about 18 acres, currently owned by BEDCO.  They are located on either side of the Christian Learning Center.  The new micro-meat processing facility will pay BEDCO some cash considerations, approximately equal to BEDCO’s expenses in the transaction.”

KW Cattle is doing a trade with BEDCO that is advantageous to the community, Motley said.

“They are trading 46 acres, a nice piece of flat ground, for less valuable property of rough ground of 25 acres,” he said. “They wanted to help Fort Scott and Bourbon County. In addition, they can expand the property they own, Christian Learning Center, in the future.”

“BEDCO will take possession (of the land parcel), then sell to the meat processing plant,” he said. “It should be finalized this month.”

Pictured is the other business adjacent to Christian Learning Center, Reprologix, located at 3200 Liberty Bell Road in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. Behind the sign, to the south of the parking lot, is the land that will be traded. These 18 acres currently owned by BEDCO are being traded by WK Cattle company for land on Hwy. 69.

Multipurpose Arena

 

“We are also working with local investors on a potential STAR Bonds project for Bourbon County,” he said.  “Some Bourbon County citizens are proposing the issuance of Star Bonds to partially finance a new multipurpose arena in Bourbon County, along with improvements to the downtown central business district.”

“Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects,” according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/

“The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.”

“The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.”

“The bonds would cover about 50% of the project, and private investment, along with bank financing would cover the balance, he said. ” The Star Bonds would be repaid by the increase in sales tax collections in a Star Bond District, whose boundaries are yet to be determined.”

“Atchison, KS, a similar-sized community to Fort Scott and Bourbon County, issued $2.3 million in Star Bonds in 2019 to build a museum,” he said.  “Attached is a chart of all Star Bonds approved by the State of Kansas.  Preliminary estimates of the size of the Bourbon County project range from $3 million to $6 million.”

City 2019 Pop. Project Start Date Orig. Amt (000) 2019 Out. (000) Dist. Sales Tax (000) 2019 CO. Pop 10-yr Pop. Trend 2019 CO. Sales Tax (000) 2018-19 % increase 2019 Sales Tax Per Capita 2019 Pull Fact.
Atchison- AT 10,476 Aviation Museum May-18 $2,370 $2,190 $210 16,073 -5.03% $12,939 6.30% 819 0.70
Derby- SG 24,943 Dino/Sports Zone Mar-17 $20,465 $13,230 $5,701 516,042 3.55% $628,714 4.50% 1,234 1.14
Dodge City- FO 27,104 Power Center Dec-15 $28,481 $26,395 $1,512 33,619 -0.68% $37,999 5.10% 1,086 0.99
Garden City- FY 26,408 Mixed Use Mar-19 $29,540 $29,540 $2,117 36,467 -0.84% $58,841 10.40% 1,507 1.41
Kansas City- WY 152,960 Youth Soccer Aug-15 $65,138 $83,138 $1,293 165,429 5.03% $192,921 4.50% 1,119 0.96
Kansas City- WY 152,960 Mercy Park (SKC) May-10 $150,289 $0 n/a 165,429 5.03% $192,921 4.50% 1,119 0.96
Kansas City- WY 152,960 Kansas Speedway Jan-99 $24,300 $16,835 $1,326 165,429 5.03% $192,921 4.50% 1,119 0.96
Kansas City- WY 152,960 Schlitterbahn Oct-13 $85,200 $65,755 $6,514 165,429 5.03% $192,921 4.50% 1,119 0.96
Manhattan- RL 54,604 Flint Hills Discovery Dec-09 $50,000 $10,905 $5,586 74,232 4.38% $61,112 -0.20% 814 0.76
Overland Park- JO 195,494 Prairiefire Dec-12 $64,990 $64,860 $3,059 602,401 10.70% $917,056 2.50% 1,485 1.28
Overland Park- JO 195,494 BluHawk Mixed Use n/a n/a n/a n/a 602,401 10.70% $917,056 2.50% 1,485 1.28
Salina- SA 46,550 Fieldhouse Dec-18 $18,250 $18,250 $862 54,224 -2.49% $77,717 3.50% 1,380 1.31
Topeka- SH 125,310 Heartland Park Apr-07 $10,405 $5,025 $334 176,875 -0.60% $211,893 1.00% 1,178 1.06
Wichita- SG 389,938 River District Jul-15 $46,980 $42,140 $2,097 516,042 3.55% $628,714 4.50% 1,234 1.14
Wichita- SG 389,938 Greenwich Dec-13 $107,631 $59,290 $8,251 516,042 3.55% $628,714 4.50% 1,234 1.14
Fort Scott- BB 7,697 Arena Jan-22 n/a n/a n/a 14,534 -4.21% $11,778 -2.20% 795 0.70

“Bottom line, we are looking at what has been successful elsewhere,” Motley said.

Housing

“We are examining possibilities to expand housing in Bourbon County,”  Motley said. “BEDCO is in the research and discussions phase.  Common sense would dictate that we first examine where the market is hot and see what can be done about enhancing the market in those areas.”

 

“Many jurisdictions in Kansas have a property improvement tax rebate of some sort, that rebate the increase in taxes property experiences, because of a new build or significant addition,” he said.  “Many are reluctant to improve their property because of inherent tax increases…a program like this would rebate the first five years of the increase.”

 

Motley can be contacted at 620-215-6411.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Government

Pandemic Assistance For Ag Producers

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USDA Announces Funding Available to Organizations to Assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers under Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative

FSA Accepting CFAP 2 Applications Beginning April 5

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers impacted by the pandemic. Today also marks the reopening of FSA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) signup as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.

Cooperative Agreements

The cooperative agreements will support participation in programs offered by FSA, including those that are part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Interested organizations must submit proposals by May 5, 2021.

“USDA is committed to making financial assistance available to a broader set of producers, including to socially disadvantaged communities, and we know that we need partners to help make that happen,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “This funding will support grassroots organizations and public institutions as we support their producers. I am excited to see their innovative, results-driven proposals to help us reach our producers, especially those who have not taken full advantage of the available assistance.” 

Continue reading Pandemic Assistance For Ag Producers →

Bourbon County, Schools

St. Mary’s Kindergarten Roundup April 21

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St. Mary’s Catholic School Kindergarten Roundup will be held Wednesday, April 21 by appointment from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

To enter kindergarten, a child must be 5 years of age on or before August 31.
If you would like for your child to attend kindergarten at St. Mary’s next year, please contact the school office at 620-223-6060 to schedule an appointment to be screened on April 21.
On the day of the screening, please bring your child’s social security card, birth certificate, immunization record/physical form, and if Catholic their baptism certificate.
A Kansas Certification of Immunization and/or a Kansas Child Health assessment must be filled out and submitted to the school before admission in the fall of 2021.
Due to Covid restrictions, we cannot allow parents to wait inside the building this year.
  Upon arrival at your appointment time, a school staff member will come outside and escort your child into the building.  Parents will be asked to wait in their car until the screening is completed.  At that point, a staff member will bring the child back out to the car and discuss the results of the screening.
St. Mary’s Catholic School is fully accredited by the state of Kansas and welcomes students of all faiths.

Bourbon County, Business, Government

County Property Tax Sale Update

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Patty Love
Patty Love, Bourbon County Treasurer, responded to a request for an update on the future property tax sale.
Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks mailed out the delinquent property tax letter late last year, she said.
“The tax sale preparation report I sent him had about 425 properties on it,” Love said. ” We have had about 50 properties paid.”
So far, over $308,000 has come back into the county from taxes that were delinquent, she said.
 “The original report had $1,432,285.43 outstanding taxes, 2016 and prior,” Love said.  “We have collected $308,216.92 of these since November 1, 2020.”
There is still an opportunity for those with back taxes due, to keep their property off the tax sale.
“2016 and prior taxes can be paid to keep the property off of the tax sale, up until the date they are filed in court,” she said.  “Once they have been filed in court, all delinquent taxes plus a court fee must be paid to keep it from selling.  The taxpayer has up until 10:00 a.m. the day of the tax sale to redeem the property.”
The tax sale date is unknown currently.
“The date of the tax sale won’t be set until cases are filed in court,” she said.  “At that time we will release a list of all properties on the tax sale.”
“Security 1st Title has completed title work on about 90 of the cases to date,” Love said.   “They are working them in, along with being very busy at this time.”

 

Bourbon County

March Uniontown 4-H Report

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March Uniontown 4-H Report

The Uniontown 4-H club met on Sunday, March 14th, 2021. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 by President, Bareigh Farrell. The flag salute was lead by Maley Sutton and the 4-H pledge was lead by Seth Shadden. Roll call was “What is your favorite Disney character?” There were 18 members, 3 leaders and 6 guests present.

The club recognized the Regional 4-H Day participants.

Bareigh Farrell – Senior novelty, top blue; Senior instrumental solo, blue; Senior vocal solo, top blue; Senior reading, top blue.

Kendyl Bloesser – Intermediate reading, top blue

Austin Maycumber – Intermediate demo/ talk, blue

Tag in for sheep, meat goat, and swine are Wednesday, April 28 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Fort Scott 4pm- 6pm and Friday, April 30 at Uniontown Saddle Club Arena at 4pm- 6pm.

For the communication project, Deidra Maycumber and Jackie Shadden discussed cultural differences and traditions. Club members shared their family backgrounds and traditions. Cin Walker led the club in the song BINGO. The evening recreation was 4 corners, led by Tucker Sutton. The next Club 4-H meeting will be Sunday, April 11th, 2021 at 6:00.

In addition to the club meeting in March, the club had several members participate in FSCC Aggie Days held on Friday, March 26th. Livestock Judging participants included: Hailey Shadden, Kendyl Bloesser, MaKinlee Bloesser, Zeb Barbour. Meat Judging participants included: Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Seth Shadden, Austin Maycumber.

Kendyl Bloesser, Uniontown 4-H club reporter

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Wallet Wisdom: Focus On Your Finances

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Joy Miller, RD, LD
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]

 

Let’s face it, discipline when it comes to managing our money isn’t always easy. And saving? Another challenge.

To help boost money management skills, including ways to save, manage debt, and handle credit, K-State Research and Extension is offering the Wallet Wisdom program, which are six free webinars in April and May.

The webinars will be presented Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. CDT via Zoom, beginning April 22. With just one registration, you can access just one or all six webinars. Time is allowed for questions and answers. For privacy reasons, only the host will be able to see who is asking the questions. All sessions will be recorded for participants to view at their convenience any time.

Dates and topics include:

  • April 22 – A Financial Checkup – A regular check of financial health can identify problems, chart progress, and outline steps to achieve financial goals.
  • April 29 – Emotions and Money – Your relationship with money can be based on years of emotion. Learn more to better understand your financial habits.
  • May 6 – Spending Plans – A spending plan can track your income and expenses and support you as you manage your money and work towards your goals.
  • May 13 – Increasing Savings – We save for many reasons, including emergencies, insurance deductibles, retirement, and more. Learn ways to increase your savings.
  • May 20 – Debt Management – Especially in our current economy, debt can get out of control. Join us to learn ways to manage and pay down your debt.
  • May 27 – All about Credit – From credit reports to credit scores, credit can affect many areas of your life. Learn to make credit work for you.

The webinars are presented by K-State Research and Extension educators who specialize in family resource management. Program details and registration available at www.southwind.ksu.edu/events For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For April 6

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: April 6, 2021

 

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

   

    MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM.  ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING         WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK.  MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

 

Call to Order

   

    • Flag Salute
    • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
    • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
    • Haybids – Elm Creek & Native Road
    • Breakdown of Dispatch Budget
    • City/County Lease Agreement
    • County Counselor Comment
    • Public Comment
  • Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

          KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

          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

          KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

          KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

          KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Fort Scott, Health Care

CHC Closing On Price Chopper Building April 9

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

 

New buildings/expansions are on the horizon for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.

 

CHC is working on the purchase plan for moving from its’ Fort Scott present site to the former Price Chopper building on Main Street at  23rd Street.

 

The present site is the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills.

 

“We are… closing on our purchase of the 40,000 sq. ft. Price Chopper Building in Fort Scott on April 9,” Postai said.  “The plan is to combine our walk-in care and main clinic together. The renovation will start as soon as possible, with a goal of completion prior to the expiration of our current lease with Mercy in December 2022.”

Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

 

There is also a new CHC building in Pittsburg.

 

“We have scheduled our groundbreaking for our new Medical Education Building in Pittsburg which will be home to all the students we are/will be training,” Postai said.

 

The groundbreaking will be May 3 at 12:30 p.m. at the John Parolo Education Building, south of the CHC/SEK System Office.

 

“About $5.6 million in donations have been raised to cover the full cost of the building and its furnishings scheduled for completion in the summer of 2022,” she said. “In the meantime, work continues on the establishment of a family practice residency program in Pittsburg in collaboration with Kansas University Medical Center and Via Christi/Ascension; the application for accreditation has been submitted with a ‘virtual’ survey planned this fall.”

 

CHC is planning a clinic in Chanute in the near future.

 

“We also bought 10 acres of land in Chanute on which to build a clinic in Neosho County,” she said. “Given all our other projects, it will probably take us 3-5 years to get this done.”

Continue reading CHC Closing On Price Chopper Building April 9 →

Bourbon County, Government

K-39 bridge replacement project starts in Bourbon County

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start work Thursday, April 1, on a project to replace a bridge on K-39 in Bourbon County. The bridge spans Pawnee Creek and is located approximately 7½ miles east of the east K-3/K-39 junction.

 

K-39 traffic will be placed on a state route detour around the work zone. Eastbound traffic, from the K-3/K-39 east junction, will travel south on K-3 to K-47, east on K-47 to K-7, and north on K-7 to K-39. Westbound K-39 traffic should follow the same route in the opposite direction.

 

KDOT awarded the $1.4 million construction contract to B&B Bridge Company of St. Paul. Weather permitting, the project should be completed by November 2021. Persons with questions may contact Iola Area Engineer Troy Howard, (620) 901-6557, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

Bourbon County, Business, Government

Jayhawk Wind Project in Construction in Southwest Bourbon County

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Standing at the bottom of a wind turbine looking up at the clear Kansas sky.

The Jayhawk Wind Project in Bourbon County is in construction.

“We are moving forward,” said Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah. “They are out there now,  putting gravel on roads and widening access on the roads.”

Lynne Oharah. Submitted photo.

To view the map of the wind farm site: JAY_Final_Facilities_Map_20210308

“They are east and north of Porterville, in southwest Bourbon County, around 40th and Eagle Road,” Frank Young, an engineer with Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, said. “I have looked at a couple of culverts for them to see if they will hold up traffic for them.”

Frank Young. From the Agricultural Engineering Associates website.

“They are upgrading some of the roads to be able to get some big rigs down them,” Young said.

Bourbon County Public Works Director Eric Bailey said I.E.A. , the contractor, sends him a plan of the day, every day and yesterday they worked on Eagle Road between 40th and 50th Streets, capping over 2100 linear feet and additionally, 50th from Eagle Road to Hwy. 3 putting over 4200 linear feet.

Eric Bailey. Submitted photo.

“They put on 4-6 inches of gravel,” Bailey said.

Today they are working on 50th from Eagle to Hwy. 39 and 30th from Hwy. 39 going south, he said.

“They have a lay-down yard at (the junction of) Hwy. 39 and Hwy. 3,” Bailey said. “This is where they will have all their job trailers, their starting point every day, where the contractors will report in.”

Young said the area is about 10 acres and is the delivery area as well.

The Jayhawk Wind project will have a capacity of 193.2 Megawatts and can power 65,000 homes, according to the  Apex website.

 

According to the March 3 press release from Apex Clean Energy

“The Jayhawk facility… is expected to be operational later this year, will consist of 70 GE wind turbines totaling an installed capacity of more than 190 MW. The project will provide significant economic benefits for the local and state economies—including the creation of more than 115 construction jobs and 7 long-term operations positions—and will generate over $20 million in landowner payments and $27.2 million in tax revenue.”

To view the press release:

Jayhawk Wind Sold to WEC Energy Group

To see a prior feature:

Jayhawk Wind Project Breaks Ground This Week