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Category Archives: Bourbon County
Knopp Joins SEK Financial
SEK Financial is pleased to announce the addition of it’s sixth partner. Fort Scott native Mason Knopp recently completed his securities, regulatory, and insurance exams. Mason joins the experienced group at SEK Financial with representatives Jim Sather, Larry Davenport, Bob Campbell, Mitch Quick and Robert Tersinar.
Mason is a Fort Scott High School graduate, who completed his degree at Southeastern Louisiana University. Partner Larry Davenport commented “we are pleased to grow our firm with such a young professional person”. We think Mason is the right person at the right time.” Added Jim Sather.
Mason will specialize in a full range of individual and group retirement planning products. He will also provide life insurance and employee benefits for the SEK Financial client base. Mason can be reached at SEK Financial located at 399 Hudson, Fort Scott or via telephone at (620)223-5756.
Bourbon County Cities Need 1-percent Sales Tax Proposed on Nov. 3
Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown all benefit from the upcoming proposed 1-percent sales tax that will be on the Nov. 3 Bourbon County Ballot.
In fact, if the proposal fails to renew (the sales tax has been in place for years), cities will have to make hard decisions concerning services they can provide their communities, according to authorities.
Several community officials have responded with what the possible impact on their communities will be.
“If a no vote prevails, each entity receiving this sales tax would have troubling decisions that would set our communities back even further,” Fort Scott’s Financial Director Susan Bancroft said. “Some communities may be forced to raise property taxes to cover lost revenue and some may face having to make the decision to unincorporate.”
“Citizens may ask why a sales tax rather than a property tax,” Bancroft said. ” Local residents and nonresident consumers buying in Bourbon County share in the revenue generated from a sales tax. Essentially, visiting consumers help financially support improvements in our communities versus a property tax solely coming from Bourbon County residents.’
“Currently, The City of Fort Scott generates roughly $750,000 per year from the 1% sales tax,” Bancroft said. “Approximately 67% ($500,000) of the sales tax is used for the street department for operations and basic maintenance to our city streets.”
“Additionally, 20% of the sales tax supports any capital improvements needed for parks, public safety, recreational facilities and public buildings,” she said. “The remaining 13% of the sales tax supports general fund operations for things such as: public parks, municipal airport, Woodland Hills Golf Course, aquatic center, Buck Run Community Center and public safety.”
FS Commission Recent Change: 90% Will Go To Streets
“At the October 6th commission meeting, the (Fort Scott)City Commission made a bold decision to change their current allocations of the 1% countywide sales tax to the street department,” Bancroft said. “The current 67% will increase to 90%, and will be dedicated to the street department for operations and maintenance if the sales tax passes on November 3rd. The remaining 10% will be used to continue to fund public parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, and public safety.”
Bronson, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown use the portion of their sales tax to support general operations and are a significant part of their budgets, Bancroft said.
Bancroft broke down the following percentages for how much the countywide sales tax generates in each entity as a percentage of total revenue received:
- Bourbon County 35%
- Bronson 18%
- Fort Scott 11%
- Mapleton 29%
- Redfield 27%
- Uniontown 14%
“I encourage the citizens of Bourbon County to research the facts to understand the impact this vote could make on our county. The proposed sales tax is not a new sales tax. This sales tax is simply renewing the current sales tax in place, and for all entities, it is to support the day to day activities that keep our communities running.” Bancroft stated.
Bronson
“The City of Bronson relies on the countywide sales tax to supplement our general fund to reduce the burden on property taxpayers,” according to Bronson City Clerk Ellen Harper. “Our general fund pays, in full or in part, expenses for general operations of the city wages, liability insurance, street maintenance, community center, library and parks. We would lose over $25,000 a year, which may not seem like much, but for a small city it would be detrimental to our finances. An estimated loss of 18% revenue would mean an approximate increase of 43 mills if it were to be added to property taxes. We couldn’t put that kind of burden on our citizens. So many services and benefits would have to be cut.”
Uniontown
“The City of Uniontown receives approximately $22,000 annually from this tax,” Uniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “These funds are deposited to the general fund to help fund our public services to our community. These funds have not been earmarked for specific projects but have been used to fund a portion of patch material for city streets, culverts, ditch repairs, street lighting, signal light at Hwy. 3 intersection, help maintain the community center and much more. The City of Uniontown would like for citizens to consider renewing this tax so we can continue to provide services to our community.”
Fort Scott
Fort Scott’s Finance Director Bancroft states “The City of Fort Scott depends heavily on the countywide sales tax. If the sales tax does not pass, the impact will be greater than the $750,000 generally generated from the sales tax. The $750,000 of sales tax will be lost revenue and an additional $500,000 will need to be cut from other areas to continue to supply the same essential operations and maintenance in the street department. This equates to 1.2 million dollars that would need to be cut if the countywide sales tax does not pass. Areas that would be affected are public safety, parks, economic development, recreational facilities, aquatic center and staffing.”
Fulton
“Without the allocation of funds to the City of Fulton that are obtained through this sales tax, we would be cutting our yearly general fund in half,” Misty Adams, Mayor of Fulton said. “This would not be operable for our small town. The loss of revenue would be a huge loss and devastation for our small town and many other small rural communities. We would be operating in the red by year-end and be seeking assistance from our county commissioners. Without the passing of the 1% sale tax, we residents would see an increase in our property taxes and for some, this would create a financial hardship. Many small rural towns are housed by retirees who are budgeting their monthly expenses and are on fixed income, so increase in expenses is not what we are looking to do.”
The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020 ballot, as follows (taken from the county’s website):
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?
To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken
the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken
the oval to the left of the word “NO”.
American Legion Post 25 Updates
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. Call American Legion Fort Scott Unit 25 President Sylvia Norris at 620.215.1688 for more information about joining the American Legion Auxiliary.
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion. Call Color Guard Commander Darrell Spencer at 620-224-6720 for more information about joining the American Legion Post 25 Color Guard.
Saturday. October 10. Breakfast on the Bricks by the Fort Scott American Legion Color Guard starts at 8 am
All members, prospective members and guests are invited to American Legion meetings.
Any female who has or had a family member in military service can join the American Legion Auxiliary. This includes those parents, grandparents, siblings and children who served our nation.
Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 has been also busy in the last week providing services to our community.
Attached are photographs of the recent Breakfast on the Bricks hosted by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Shown in the photo are Auxiliary Members Mary Jean Hart, Linda Beltz and Michelle Lyon and Legionnaire Ron Beltz.
A photograph of three American Legion Chapter 25 Riders preparing for an escort of Navy Veteran Norman Gideon to the National Cemetery. Shown are Riders Darell “pup” Spencer, Myra “Sassy” Jowers and Jake “Blue Duck” Campbell.
A special thanks to Sheriff Bill Martin for arranging a police escort for Veteran Norman Gideon from the southern Bourbon County line to the National Cemetery
A photograph of two American Legion bulletin boards placed at the Fort Scott VA Clinic. The bulletin boards were provided by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Legionnaire Bob Matthews and Auxiliary member Tanya Lowe installed the bulletin board.
All photographs courtesy of Fort Scott American Legion Post Commander Carl Jowers.
Democrats Meet Oct. 18
Bourbon County Democratic Party
monthly meeting at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2020
Shelter House #1, Gunn Park.
Bring a mask and a lawn chair for social distancing.
Canned food or other non-perishable items and winter clothing will be accepted for donations to local charities.
Contact [email protected]
County: Renewal of 1-percent Sales Tax Is Needed For Public Roads
The sales tax that is up for renewal on the November 3 General Election has been in place for 20 years, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.
“(It) is essential for the maintenance and improvement of the hard service road system in Bourbon County which is around 140 miles,” he said.
“Thirty-five percent of the Bourbon County Public Works Department budget comes from this sale tax revenue and (it) can only be used on hard service roads within the county,” Oharah said.
“The total (tax collected) is about $2 million for the county and all the cities in the county,” Oharah said. “Our part is used for our hard surface road program, about $1,100,000 per year, for maintaining and improving our hard surface roads.”
The county gets one-half of the sales tax, the rest goes to the other cities in the county, he said.
Hard surface roads include mowing 280 miles of ditches at least three times a year; ice and snow removal and application of brim/chip application for better traction, pothole repair, maintaining easements which includes ditching, equipment updates, side trim of rights-of-way and replacing culverts into people’s property, he said.
“With a sales tax, everyone pays, which includes out-of-county residents that use our county road system,” Oharah said. “This responsibility to maintain and repair hard services roads in Bourbon County does not fall on to the property owner of Bourbon County.”
The Bourbon County Road Service Department has costs below the standard for the industry, he said.
“You get more roadwork for less cost,” Oharah said.
“Norm Bowers, who is a retired engineer and surveyor and teaches at the University of Kansas Transportation Center, did a study on Bourbon County asphalt program, a year or two ago, and indicated the average cost per ton for asphalt applied to hard service road in Bourbon County is $90 per ton and the average per ton in the open market for Bourbon County to hire a contractor is $180 per ton to apply the product to the hard service road,” he said.
Oharah said the following are county costs for roads.
- $30,000 to $35,000 for 1-inch overlay per mile in Bourbon County.
- $13,000 for chip and seal of hard service road per mile in Bourbon County.
- $80,000 to $110,000 per mile for a 3-inch new road service per mile, which includes most of the prep work in Bourbon County.
“Bourbon County can produce chips for hard surface roads, snow and ice safety for about $4 dollars a ton which is under half the cost of retail,” Oharah said. “This is a huge saving to the Bourbon County citizens. Its over $10 in the marketplace.”
The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020, as follows (taken from the county’s website):
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?
To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken
the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken
the oval to the left of the word “NO”.
CHC Drive-Through Flu Shots Oct. 10
CHC/SEK SCHEDULES ADDITIONAL SATURDAY-ONLY
DRIVE-THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC OCTOBER 10
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is offering a drive-through flu shot clinic on Saturday, October 10, from 9AM – 3PM at its Fort Scott clinic at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone two years of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Upon entering the drive-through, participants are asked to wear a facemask to protect CHC/SEK staff. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed.
Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to conserve potentially scarce health care resources. This is a standard-dose inactivated flu vaccine; CHC/SEK does not have high-dose available at this time.
At CHC/SEK, flu shots remain available at all clinics, and, there is no out-of-pocket cost for receiving a flu shot. For those with health insurance, their insurance is billed for the service; however, no money will be collected from participants regardless of their insurance status. By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!
Getting an annual flu shot, and good health habits like washing your hands can help stop germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it is just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you are sick.
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UNIONTOWN HS VOLLEYBALL and FOOTBALL WEEK 5 RESULTS
Submitted by Adelay Martin, UHS Student Sports Reporter
The Lady Eagles traveled to Jayhawk Linn on Tuesday, September 29 for their volleyball matches. The JV lost their game, but Varsity was victorious against the Jayhawks.
Jayhawk defeated Uniontown in two matches scoring 25-18 and 25-19. Landry George scored 4 points.
The Eagles defeated Jayhawk in three sets, scoring 25-21, 25-19, and 25-20. Bri Stokes scored 12 points and had 11 consecutive serves in the first set. Libby Schaaf was 19/23 on attacks and had 2 kills, Danielle Howard was 17/20 on attacks with 6 kills, Karleigh Schoenberger was 16/20 on attacks with 3 kills, and Paige Mason was 14/14 on attacks with 4 kills. Gwen Fry had 6 solo blocks.
“We did not play our best, but still played well enough to get the win,” said Coach Hall. “Still continuing to work on the little things. We will host Marmaton Valley on Tuesday, October 6. This is our only home event!”
The Eagles’ football team went up against the Northern Heights Wildcats on Friday, October 2. The Wildcats were defeated 41-0. Hunter Schaaf had 17 rushes for 134 yards, while Drew Perry and Treden Buckman each had 11 rushes for 112 and 34 yards, respectively. Schaaf also scored 4 touchdowns and had 10 assists, and Perry scored 2 touchdowns. Jake Harvey had 7 assists, 2 unassisted tackles, and 1 Q.B. sack.
Head Coach Johnathan Stark said of the game, “I thought the team did a really good job of playing hard and playing together. We started off the first quarter really intense and ready to play, and we were able to maintain our intensity throughout the entire game. We had some really tough calls against us early in the game that went against our momentum, but we showed maturity and mental toughness by being able to overcome them and stay focused. I was really proud of some of the guys on the team at the end. We put in some of our subs and JV players, but the quality of play on the field stayed the same, and we won 41-0 against a team that has a lot of talent.”
Bourbon County: 14 Active COVID-19 Cases
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
October 5, 2020
Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases.
Allen County
| Current Active Cases | 25 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 5-0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 71 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 97 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Anderson County
| Current Active Cases | 3 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 2-0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 83 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 86 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Active Cases | 14 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 10- 0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 195 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 212 |
| Deaths | 3 |
Woodson County
| Current Active Cases | 3 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 2-0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 21 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 24 |
| Deaths | 0 |
2020 Gordon Parks Museum Photo Contest Extended to Oct. 26
4-H Week: Oct. 4-10
Southwind District Youth to Celebrate
National 4-H Week: October 4-10
Every year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, Opportunity4All, is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.
With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, 4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families and communities across the country. In 4-H, we believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe every child should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world.
Southwind District 4-H will observe National 4-H Week this year by highlighting some of the inspirational 4-H youth in our community who are working tirelessly to support each other and their communities.
“We believe youth perspectives are so important and a solution to eliminating the opportunity gap, because young people come with new ideas and new ways of seeing the world,” explains Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of National 4-H Council. By encouraging diverse voices and innovative actions, 4-H believes that solutions can be found to address the educational, economic and health issues that have created the opportunity gap.
The Southwind District 4-H members, volunteers, and staff will be celebrating this week with radio spots, news columns, National Spirit Day on the 7th, window displays, and social media posts. Check out Southwind District 4-H on Facebook and YouTube to see our 4-H pride this week! Towards the end of the week is the Kansas 484H project where youth will be demonstrating their skills in 48 hours of community service.
In Southwind District, more than 530 4-H youth and over 100 volunteers from the community are involved in 4H. With over 30 projects offered within Kansas 4-H and the Southwind District, the 4-H program has something for everyone. What other youth organization can young people be a part of that promotes involvement of the entire family? Not to mention all of the life skills that youth learn by attending monthly club meetings.
To learn more about how you can get involved, reach out to Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development Agent at [email protected] or call 620-244-3826. Information can also be found by visiting southwind.ksu.edu or searching Southwind District 4-H on social media.
About 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Learn more about 4-H at southwind.ksu.edu, find us on Facebook at Southwind District 4-H and on YouTube with Southwind District 4-H.
Landscape Improvements Now Will Bring Big Dividends Next Spring
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
Fall and spring are my favorite seasons. Finally, some cooler temperatures have arrived and it is actually feeling more like fall! I encourage you to get outside and enjoy the fall season. It is the perfect time to do some tasks around your landscape that will help next spring.
First, let’s talk lawn weeds. I know, they are probably the last thing on your mind since we are winding down the mowing season. Believe it or not, it is the ideal time to tackle those weeds. Not next spring when you fire the mower up again!
Cool season broadleaf weeds such as henbit, dandelions and chick weed all germinate in the cool moist periods of September and October. They overwinter as small plants, barely visible unless you get down close to the ground to look. Once warm weather arrives in the spring, the plants grow rapidly and flower.
Fall control is ideal for these cool season broadleaf weeds. The weeds are storing food in their roots and will send a leaf applied herbicide to their roots as well. The herbicides will translocate to the roots and will kill the plants from the roots up. These plants are also small and easily controlled right now.
There are several products on the market that are effective on these fall germinating weeds. Herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products that contain 2,4-D, MCCP and Dicamba, sold under the trade names of Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, or Weed-Out, can be used. A product called Weed Free Zone is also an option. It contains the three active ingredients mentioned above plus carfentrazone.
Newly planted lawns should not be treated with any herbicide until the new grass seedlings have been mowed two or three times depending on the product. Read and follow the label directions closely.
Next, let’s talk flower bulbs. Bulbs are a good addition to any landscape or garden because they offer a variety of bloom color, flowering time, plant height, and shape. Now is the time to get those bulbs in the ground!
Bulbs can be planted in a variety of locations including around house foundations, under deciduous shrubs and trees, along borders, in perennial beds, and rock gardens. You can also plant them in containers and even on steep slopes.
When planted along a foundation, bulbs will add color in the early spring if planted in a grouping of twelve or more bulbs. If you have evergreen shrubs planted along a foundation, they will provide a nice background for planting of bulbs. Bulbs will “pop” with color in contrast to the green of the shrubs.
A border of bulbs planted along the edge of the lawn will add a splash of color to the lawn area. Or consider planting low growing bulbs around the edge of a flower bed to add interest. You can add them directly into a perennial bed. The bulbs will bloom in March, April and May before perennials start to grow. Make sure to locate the bulbs so the dying foliage will not be noticed.
Both spring and summer bulbs can be planted in portable containers. The nice thing about container plantings is their versatility.
For spring bulbs, once bloom is past, the container can be moved to a location out of sight while the foliage matures. Summer bulbs will add color all summer long to areas such as a patio or deck.
Keep in mind that planting bulbs of one variety or color in mass will have greater visual impact. This will provide uniform color and texture that is pleasing to the eye. With bulbs such as tulips or daffodils, plant at least twelve bulbs of one variety in a grouping. Smaller bulbs should be planted in groups of fifty to have visual impact.
Take action now to have a beautiful, weed-free, colorful lawn next spring!
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.