Category Archives: Bourbon County
Bo Co Budget Advisory Committee Meets on July 1
The Bourbon County Budget Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM in the Commission meeting room located in the Bourbon County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue. This meeting is open to the public.
Bo Co Commission Special Meeting Today at 4 p.m.
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Special Meeting June 27, 2025, 4:00 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
a. Roll Call
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Prayer
II. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the
commission chambers.
III. Adjournment
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their
privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be
deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations,
partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to 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
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.
Seniors Farmers Market Vouchers Available on July 14
Great News! The Senior Farmers Market Vouchers will be available starting July 14th.
“We and Seniors were very disappointed the vouchers were not available June 1st as expected. People start calling us in May checking on when the vouchers will be available.” commented Stacy Dickerhoof, Associate Director, SEKAAA. “So many of our seniors are on a limited income and this is the only way for them to have access to fresh vegetables. The number of vouchers we will be getting has been cut by half so the vouchers will go fast.”
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program provides annual benefits to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at Farmers Markets in Kansas.
Benefits are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. The person must be at least 60 years old and meet financial guidelines. Applications will be available at the following locations:
Fort Scott – Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.
Iola – City of Iola, 2 West Jackson
Parsons – Parsons Public Library, 311 S. 17th
Pittsburg – Pittsburg Housing Authority, 101 N. Pine
Chanute – SEK Area Agency on Aging, 1 West Ash
Benefits are distributed until September 30, 2025 or until benefits are gone, whichever happens first. Applicants who qualify will receive a booklet of $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers. For more information call SEK Area Agency on Aging at 620-431-2980.
Submitted by Kathy Brennon, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging
New District 1 Commissioner Samuel Tran Joins Bourbon County Commission
Samuel Tran joined the Bourbon County Commission for their June 23 meeting as the newly appointed commissioner for District 1.
Also new to the table was Kaety Bowers, serving as the parliamentarian for the commission. Her roll is that of an impartial assistant to Commissioner David Beerbower as the commission chair in running an efficient meeting per resolution 1125, which the commission signed in January, 2025. The new vice-chair for the commission is Mika Milburn.
KCAMP Information
Davie Lamb spoke to the commissioners about the benefits of KCAMP, which is pool-owned by the member counties, not an insurance company. KCAMP provides coverage for property and liability for Bourbon County. Formed in 1991, they cover 81 Kansas counties and several municipalities. Their board is made up of three clerks, three commissioners, and a sheriff from member counties.
Computer Services
Steve Prasko of Advantage Computers and Jayhawk Software in Iola, KS, and Jason Rincker from Stronghold Data of Joplin, MO each spoke to the commission about the computer services they could offer to the county.
Old Business
Juvenile Detention Center
Mike Walden, director for the SEK Juvenile Detention Center in Crawford County, brought administrators from the facility and some of the center’s board members to the meeting to speak with the commission about the history of the center, anticipated changes in the law regarding the detention of juveniles, and the importance of Bourbon County continuing to use it as its juvenile detention resource.
Walden said that Bourbon County is 1/10 owner of the $400,000 Juvenile Detention Center, which they will forfeit if they choose to house juveniles in a different facility, which was discussed at the June 16 meeting.
He said that the center was built in 1994 in an effort to meet the requirements of the 1980 law regarding the housing of juvenile criminals. He also said that a state study shows that no single county can afford a facility that meets the federal standards, and SEK is the poorest area of Kansas, thus they must work together. A juvenile justice plan is required for each county, and being part-owners of the facility in Crawford meets that requirement. Until 2006, the facility was run on a per-diam basis, but that made budgeting hard for commissions, so they changed to a funding formula, which takes into account the last 4 years of use by the county as well as the population and valuation of the county. Larger counties pay more.
To work for the facility, you must be 21 and have some training in sociology and psychology, per state regulations. They work with Pitts State and their social program students to help the residents of the center.
Walden said that the current intake system isn’t working, and juvenile criminals are slipping through the cracks and not being held accountable.
According to the Kansas Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee there were 7552 contacts between law enforcement and juveniles in 2017. “The state has struggled with placement of juveniles,” creating a dangerous situation for workers and juveniles, said Walden.
“I guarantee you we’re going to treat them better than anywhere else they’re going to go,” said Walden.
In 1992 Bourbon County signed an interlocal agreement with the Juvenile Detention Center.
By using facilities outside of Southeast Kansas, money Bourbon County is being sent to other regions. “We are part of you,” he said.
He encouraged the commissioners to come see the facility and see what’s being done there.
Milburn asked if they would come to the table to work out a different agreement, and Walden said that would be up to the board of directors and encouraged them to speak with them.
No Bourbon County representative has been to a facility board of directors meeting since 2022. The board’s next meeting is July 23.
Tran said the agreement should be revisited and the facility’s board of directors should invite the commissioners to come to the table.
Sheriff Bill Martin asked for a breakdown of the financial investment that the county has in the center. He also said that the codes for space and light requirements for detention centers are the same for adults and juveniles.
Milburn asked Walden to reach out and build a relationship with Sheriff Martin. Walden said that he would do that and wants to be included in any future discussions about juvenile detention services.
“We’re looking at our budget and we have our numbers,” said Beerbower.
SEK Mental Health Budget
Nathan Fawson CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health explained that his organization serves five counties in Kansas and employs more than 500 individuals, 60 of whom are therapists. Bourbon County has 80 SEK Mental Health workers as well as a federally certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.
“I believe Fort Scott is very unique in the partnership that we have with SEK Mental Health,” said Fort Scott School Superintendent Destry Brown. SEK mental health partners with many organizations in Bourbon County, including schools, to serve the mental health needs of the community. There are now on-site therapists at each school provided by SEK Mental Health, all under parent approval and on a sliding scale for students. Case managers in each school oversee and work with teachers to help the kids. “Behavior health has gotten to be a huge issue in every school,” said Brown.
Bonny Smith from the audience spoke to the commission about the importance of including the parents in the help given to the children as well as for the staff of the school. First responders and law enforcement also need the help that Mental Health offers, she said.
“We are so grateful,” Fawson said, referring to the partnerships they have in the community, for the county’s support over the years, and the opportunity to serve in the county.
Tran asked how many patients they serve in a year. In 2024 they provided 35,482 services in Bourbon County alone.
Milburn said that SEK Mental Health needed county funding at the founding, but they are now self-sustaining and don’t need the county’s funding.
She said that the county helped the organization stand financially before it could stand on its own. Times have changed since the county started supporting SEK Mental Health, and SEK Mental Health now has more support throughout the community.
Milburn had a new resolution to propose, repealing the April 1961 resolution regarding SEK Mental Health. Her resolution proposed to keep a county commissioner as a member on the mental health board, but to repeal the 1/2 mill tax levy that had been supporting them.
“I want to offer them our support, not monetarily anymore – because they are there [referring to SEK Mental Health’s financial stability]- but we want them here in our community,” said Milburn.
“We have become more self-sustaining than we have been previously…we’re grateful but we’re not pressed in that regard in the moment, and as such we are less dependent on the county for financial support than we once were,” said Fawson.
Commissioners voted to table the issue for one week.
Budget Committee resignation of Marla Heckman & Assign Replacement
Beerbower nominated Joseph Smith to replace Heckman. Nomination carried.
Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
Mr. Emerson spoke to the commission about solar panels. He asked about the lawsuit that the county took over. “I surely hope that nothing will be signed until we get zoning,” he said. He also referred to a lawsuit between Jackson County and a solar company, expressing concern about environmental protection surveys not being done. He encouraged the commission to get more information before signing anything.
Michael Hoyt talked to the commission about tax abatement. He said he had brought to the attention of the commission earlier this year that the property at 401 Woodland is tax-abated at a value of $3.9 million, meaning $600,000 in taxes have not been collected.
“It’s only fair that we bring to the attention of the other taxing entities that their budgets in 23, 24, and 25 were based on that valuation in the budget and they don’t know they don’t have that money coming,” he said.
He also said that the property that’s out there now is classified as a charitable hospital but it hasn’t been one since Mercy left. It’s unconscionable that they are designated as a philanthropic hospital, he said, and he hopes to be able to resolve it.
New Business
NRP
Matt Quick, county appraiser, spoke to the commission about the Neighborhood Revitalization Program rebate again. He said that two years ago the county changed it from a 5-year program to a 10-year one. That change did not cause an increase in applications, but it has caused a diminishing return for the county.
Tran asked for the number of buildings in the program and what the benefit would be to the county. Quick said he would get those numbers for him.
Tran asked to wait to make a decision until the next meeting after he gets his numbers. The issue was tabled.
Appraiser Contract
County appraisers serve a 4-year term. This July, Matt Quick needs to re-up with the state, which requires a resolution from the commission. Commissioners voted to table it until next week.
Formation of Benefits Committee
Milburn proposed forming a Bourbon County Committee for Employee Benefits, to explore and find insurance options and benefit plans for county employees. It would consist of several employees, the benefits officer, and a commissioner.
Both Beerbower and Tran were in favor of the idea.
Susan Walker said that the committee members will need HIPPA training because they will have access to the health information for county employees.
Letters of interest are to be submitted to the commission.
The committee resolution was approved.
Elevator Repairs
The elevator in the courthouse is down. The judge sent a letter to the commission encouraging them to repair the elevator. There will be some jury trials at the courthouse in the near future.
A power surge caused the computer boards to fail, which the county will file an insurance claim for, but they need to do a quick, temporary fix to make the courthouse accessible for trials this week.
Beerbower moved to approve the $30,000 in funding needed for immediate repairs. Commission approved.
The meeting ended with executive sessions. The Commissioner Comments section of the meeting was not broadcast on YouTube.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JULY 7 BOURBON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
To all persons concerned,
You are hereby given notice that the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, KS, through a petition filed by Bradley Plaster, propose to vacate the following:
Vacation of 60’ road of 128th between Lot 5 Sub of Lot 1 Block 8 and Lot 2 of Block 8, Hiattville, Kansas.
This road closing will be further considered by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas at a public hearing scheduled for 5:35 PM July 7, 2025, during their regularly scheduled commission meeting located at 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the Commission Chambers. Any person with an interest in this proposed road closing is invited to speak for or against this matter. Said road closing will then become effective upon the formal resolution of the Board.
Emily Bolinger: New Nurse Practitioner at Uniontown Clinic
Emily Bolinger, 42, is the new Nurse Practitioner at Girard Medical Center of Uniontown, as of June 1.
“I’m excited to be local and help take care of people in this community,” she said.
She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Missouri at Kansas City and has been a Registered Nurse since 2007. She earned a master’s degree from UMKC in 2014 and has practiced all around Southeast Kansas. Her hometown is Olathe.
Her resume includes experience in primary care, urgent care, and School-Based Health as a Nurse Practitioner at Pittsburg High School and the Bryant Student Health Center at Pittsburg State University.
At the Uniontown Clinic, her duties will be primary care that includes same-day appointments, urgent care, along with Kansas Department of Transportation physicals and sports physicals.
She and husband Dustin have lived in the Uniontown area for six years, and their son Keaton will be going to Uniontown Junior High.
“He is involved in sports and is a percussionist,” she said.
She helps out with Keaton’s baseball team and gives fast-pitch softball lessons to young girls in the community.
Bolinger played softball while at the universities in Omaha and Kansas City.
The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
The former Uniontown Clinic provider, Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Hallacy, has transitioned to the Girard Medical Center Clinic at Arma, where she lives. Her last day in Uniontown was June 24.
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey Summary
Executive Summary
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey (BRES) was
conducted by HBCAT in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott
to assess the local business climate. The survey gathered 34
responses and six in-person interviews, reflecting ongoing
challenges in the region due to business closures.
Key Findings:
• Industry Composition: The largest sectors represented were Services (37.1%), Retail
Trade (22.9%), and Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (14.3%).
• Employment Trends: 24% of businesses reported employment growth, 59% remained
stable, and 18% experienced declines.
• Workforce Challenges: 73% of respondents struggled with recruiting and retaining
workers, especially unskilled (38%) and semi-skilled employees (35%).
• Business Expansion & Financing: 18% of businesses plan to expand within two years,
while 15% reported forgoing expansion due to lack of financing.
Business Information Needs
Local businesses expressed a strong desire for more information on:
• Small business and entrepreneurial support resources tailored to the needs of startups and
local business owners.
• Workforce and job training programs to improve access to skilled labor and reduce hiring
challenges.
• Local market matching programs to connect businesses with regional suppliers,
customers, and partners.
• Access to capital and financing to support expansion, equipment upgrades, and working capital needs.
• Improved communication between local and state governments and businesses, to increase transparency and responsiveness.
Possible Actions Local Government Could Take:
1. Improve Marketing of the City – Increase promotional efforts to attract new residents, visitors, and businesses by showcasing Fort Scott’s assets, events, and opportunities.
2. Enhance Communication – Create clearer, more consistent communication channels between the City and the business community, including regular updates and outreach.
3. Develop Incentive Programs – Introduce or expand financial and regulatory incentives for new and existing businesses looking to launch or grow in Fort Scott.
4. Increase Workforce Development Efforts – Collaborate with HBCAT and other partners to create stronger pipelines for skilled labor and job training programs.
5. Address Housing as a Critical Need – Prioritize policies, partnerships, and development strategies that expand housing options for workers and families to support long-term
economic stability.
Next Steps for The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
1. Launch an Employer Learning Collaborative – Convene local employers to clarify their workforce needs, discuss shared challenges, and identify specific skill gaps, particularly around unskilled and semi-skilled labor. HBCAT may host panel discussions
and is seeking facilitation support to guide this effort.
2. Engage High School Students Through Mentorship and Incentives – Partner with high school business classes to connect students with the RCP Mentorship Program and Community Health Workers, and link them to financial incentives available through the
City’s small business grant program and local community college resources.
3. Explore Soft Skill Curriculum Implementation – Evaluate the existing soft skills curriculum used by SEK KANSASWORKS in other districts to determine cost and feasibility of implementing it in Fort Scott schools, with the goal of aligning with local employer expectations.
Submitted by Jody Love
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
Rural Community Partners
President and CEO
Office: 620-224-2563 Ext. 4
Cell: 620-215-2892
104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Starlite Family Community Education Minutes June 2025
Starlite FCE held its June meeting at the Presbyterian Village Meeting room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and Vice President Joyce Allen led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Eleven members and one guest were in attendance. The member reported that they had volunteered seven hours and had recycled 260 pounds.
Glenda Miller recognized the June birthdays which were Doris Ericson, Betty Johnson, Bernita Hill, and Delphine Parks.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Doris Ericson gave the treasurer’s report. There was no Council report.
Old business consisted of organizing birthday cards for the senior living facilities in Fort Scott. Glenda Miller announced that she and Jack Jackson had presented the lesson on Hospice to the Hiattville Methodist Church. Twelve people were in attendance.
Under new business Betty Johnson moved that we have a bake less bake sale to replenish our treasurer account, Joyce Allen seconded the motion, motion carried. Deb Lust passed around the Fair worker sign-up sheet. She announced that clean-up of the Meyers building would be Saturday July 12th beginning at 8:00, Open class check-in will be Monday July 14th starting at 2:00 until 6:00, and that judging will be Tuesday July 15th starting at 8:00. A bake sale will begin at noon of the items entered in the prepared foods division with proceeds going towards a scholarship presented by Bourbon County FCE. Deb also announced that the Friends of 4-H Dinner and the Public Style Review will be July 8th beginning at 6:00 at the Ellis Fine arts Center.
Refreshment of Cherry Delight, nuts, chocolates and water were provided by Claudia Wheeler and Betty Johnson and were enjoyed by all. Glenda announced that there will be no July meeting and that Karen Peery will have the August Lesson on Trustworthiness.
Betty Johnson moved the meeting be adjourned, Claudia Wheeler seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting June 26
Local Grief Support Group Starts on July 1
A 13-week Grief Support Group will begin on Tuesday mornings starting July 1-September 23.
“Each time we gather from 10:00 until 11:30 in the small classroom at Mary Queen of Angels church,” said facilitator Laura Meeks. “The group is non-denominational, focused on helping rebuild your life after losing a loved one. The group is led by professionals through videos and guided discussion. A helpful guidebook is provided and there are no costs to attend.”
For questions or interest in this group please call Laura Meeks at 740-317-6379 or email [email protected]. You can also directly enroll through griefshare.org/find a group where this Fort Scott session is listed.
Road closing considered by Bourbon County Commissioners
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
To all persons concerned,
You are hereby given notice that the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, KS, through a petition filed by Bradley Plaster, propose to vacate the following:
Vacation of 60’ road of 128th between Lot 5 Sub of Lot 1 Block 8 and Lot 2 of Block 8, Hiattville, Kansas.
This road closing will be further considered by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas at a public hearing scheduled for 5:35 PM July 7, 2025, during their regularly scheduled commission meeting located at 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the Commission Chambers. Any person with an interest in this proposed road closing is invited to speak for or against this matter. Said road closing will then become effective upon the formal resolution of the Board.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk