The transmission line of the Wolf Creek/Blackberry Project, from the NextEra Energy website.
A power delivery project, many years in the making, has started transmitting energy through Bourbon County.
NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) – Southwest began producing energy over the 92-mile, 345-kV Wolf Creek – Blackberry transmission line on July 16, 2025, according to Lillie Zeng, spokesperson for NEET-Southwest.
The project was within budget and nearly five months ahead of Southwest Power Pool’s (SSP) required in-service date. The project was completed within three years, according to the spokesperson.
This is the second of three competitively awarded transmission projects in SPP that the company is building, she said.
“NextEra Energy Transmission – Southwest is proud to support SPP and its customers in Kansas and Missouri with a transmission line that will help enhance grid reliability and support economic growth in the region.”
The NEET-Southwest field office is at 2522 Richards Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
“We are in the process of hiring local office staff. In addition, NEET Southwest has access to approximately 70 affiliate technical staff located in the project area,” according to the spokesperson.
The project included a diagonal power line through the southwest part of Bourbon County as noted in the graphic from NextEra.
The process can be summed up this way:
Electric power is generated by nuclear energy at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant near Burlington, Kansas in Coffee County.
The power is moved via transmission power lines to the southwest, to the Blackberry Electrical Substation, just over the state line in Missouri.
Electric power transmission lines along with wind turbines can be seen from Hwy. 3. in Bourbon County, near Birch Road, north of Hepler, KS. These are NextEra Energy Transmission lines.
This project is a new 94-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) regulated transmission line that runs from the Wolf Creek substation (Evergy Energy) in Kansas to the Blackberry substation, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.(AECI) in Missouri.
The Blackberry Electric Substation, Jasper County, MO. August 2025
The Wolf Creek site is about 10,500 acres, and 1,500 acres of company land are reserved and managed for wildlife. Wolf Creek employs approximately 750 employees, many of whom have worked at the site since the plant began providing electricity to the nation’s power grid more than three decades ago, according to the Evergy website.
Wolf Creek provides electric generation for Evergy and generates about 1,200 megawatts of electricity, which is enough energy to power more than 800,000 homes, according to the Evergy website.
Wolf Creek generates 20.7 percent of Kansas’ electricity, and 36 percent of its emissions-free electricity, according to the NextEra website.
Evergy is an electric service provider in Bourbon County.
“Evergy and Next Era are both members of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which helps manage the power grid and energy markets across 14 states in the middle of the country, including Kansas and Missouri,” said Evergy Director of Corporate Communications Gina Penzig. “SPP keeps track of how electricity moves through the system and helps ensure coordination among area utilities.”
“The Wolf Creek–Blackberry Transmission line simply connects to Evergy’s equipment and helps send electricity into the power grid,” Penzig said. “The SPP chose Next Era to build this line through a competitive bid process. Even though the line connects to Evergy’s substation and electricity flows through it, Next Era owns and operates the line.”
NextEra Energy
In October 2021, NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) Southwest was awarded the construction of a new approximately 92-mile 345 kV transmission line from the Wolf Creek substation to the Blackberry substation in Jasper County, Missouri.
Electric power transmission lines in southwest Bourbon County.
The project is part of the 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan approved by SPP in October 2019 to address the need for a more reliable and cost-effective grid. This project will reduce congestion and provide market efficiencies and benefits to ratepayers, according to the NextEra website.
According to NextEra, the project benefits are:
“Leads to lower electricity costs for customers
Enhances the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid
Creates job opportunities in the short and long term
Spurs investment in the local economy during construction
Supports public health and safety through access to reliable electricity
“Environmental & Visual Considerations
Conducted rigorous environmental analyses to limit impacts on wildlife, sensitive habitats, and natural resources
Coordinated with federal and state agencies to identify protected species found along the route
Selected monopole structures to minimize tree clearing and agricultural impacts
Incorporated considerations for visual impacts into the routing study.”
The Mapleton Cafe, located in rural northern Bourbon County, is under a new manager.
“This cafe had been shut down for eight years,” Adam Clay, the new owner/manager,” said. “Joe Bisogno owns the building.”
It opened at the end of July.
“I was given an opportunity to open my own business in the country, where I want to be,” Clay said. “I have always been drawn to the country. I lived in DeSoto. Panasonic moved into the area, and lots of people have moved in.”
“You need to seize an opportunity.”
He moved a fifth-wheel recreation vehicle to the site of the building in Mapleton, population 99, in January and started renovating the building.
“I had to fix it up. I moved here, living in the fifth-wheeler.”
Clay has 35 years in the hospitality business with a focus on kitchen, menu, costing, and trends in the food business.
“I come from the K.C. area, Desoto, and worked as a chef for a corporation in their test kitchen. I left my position with Goodsents in K.C. at the end of June to do this full-time. Up to then, I only worked on weekends.”
The restaurant passed the Kansas Department of Agriculture inspection in mid-July.
“Even though a lot of work needs to be done, with the help of the Mapleton City Council, the local residents, and Joe Bisogno, we’ll make it successful,” he said.
“I’m the only cook; there are two local people as employees, Shawn Mierkey and Zoe Charley, and other local people pitch in to help.”
Adam Clay, right, is the manager of the Mapleton Cafe. Pictured are his two employees, Shawn Mierkey and Zoe Charley.
About the cafe
“It’s a country cafe with a modest breakfast and lunch menu,” he said. “It’s a starter menu. I’m still trying to figure out what works in this marketplace.”
“We are open to suggestions. A new dish for me is chili with a cinnamon roll and a pickle,” he said.
He said he is trying to keep the prices that fit this rural area.
The menu at the Mapleton Cafe as of August 2025.
The restaurant is located at 423 N. Bourbon Street in Mapleton. Contact info: 785-813-6051. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Special Council Meeting on August 14, 2025 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting, Interim City Clerk Sally Johnson.
Purpose of meeting is to hire/appoint non-elected personnel.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to hire Haley Arnold for City Clerk position to start September 2, 2025 with 90 day probationary period
Moved by Kelly, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 5:07PM
The 2026 Budget Hearing and Regular Council Meeting on August 12, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Matt Kelly, Judy Cassidy, Haley Arnold, Leah Hall, Regan Bryant, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Treasurer/Interim City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
2026 Budget Hearing –no citizens in attendance.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to adopt the 2026 Budget as presented
2026 Budget Hearing closed.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the July 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $249,350.12, Receipts $26,400.57, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $26,745.44, Checking Account Closing Balance $245,981.25. Bank Statement Balance $254,478.97, including Checking Account Interest of $53.64, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,497.72, Reconciled Balance $245,981.25. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,287.32, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,987.37, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,153.41, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $352,409.35. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $424.17, and Utility CDs $1,273.42 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,697.59. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of July 2025, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. July Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00 for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of July $3,368.87, Year-to-Date Net Loss $17,882.49. Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $98,877.38 (73.4%), Expenditures $73,404.11 (48.1%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $20,424.04 (54.9%), Expenditures $32,494.65 (70.5%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $64,418.94 (52.0%), Expenditures $68,270.29 (42.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $100,366.09 (67.0%), Expenditures $153,430.62 (71.8%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,886.52 (53.5%), Expenditures $3,047.95 (42%). The August 2025 payables to date in the amount of $38,721.19 were presented. The invoices from KMGA and Johnson Vaughn, PA have not been received by noon meeting day.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
Minutes of July 8, 2025 Regular Council Meeting, July 19, 2025 Special Meeting, July 19, 2025 Budget Worksession, and July 21, 2025 Special Meeting
Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Profit & Loss by Class Report & Appropriations Report
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported that letters will be sent to 201 Fulton St for tall grass/weeds (clerk will try to find an address), 101 Washington St has mowed but still needs to address backyard. It was brought to his attention that 401 Sherman has tall grass/weeds in ditches and backyard and possible junk vehicles and 306 Hill St has a junk vehicle in driveway. Letters will also be sent to those two addresses. A vehicle has been parked on the easement in the 400 block of Washington St for quite some time now. He will investigate.
Superintendent Rich informed the council the outlets for food trucks/vendors on the north side of the park are not working for food trucks. Matt Kelly, Kelly Electric, was asked which ones are 50AMP and 30AMP. He will check and mark them. He came back later in the meeting and reported that there are no 50AMP. He will present a quote to install two 50AMP near the breaker boxes. He also left business cards to give to vendors if they are having trouble with the outlets.
Rich also reported that the grease gun for the gas valves is not working properly and the company we purchased from no longer works on them. He presented a quote for a new gun and repair kit. Interim Clerk Johnson reported that the current guns have been repaired in 2008, replaced with reconditioned ones in 2013, and repaired again in 2015. Ervin asked about the warranty for a new gun. Rich was unsure, but would check.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0 to buy a new Valtex 1400 Lubrication Gun 10M with hose and gauge for price quoted
Clerk Johnson reported a dog at large complaint received on 8/7 but complainant would not describe the dog or location of the incident.
Council was presented with the draft 2024 Audit.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to accept audit as presented.
She asked about fall citywide cleanup. Cleanup will be August 25-28. When order, ask if we order two dumpsters, could we get another if needed. Since there is no billing to go out before cleanup, she will distribute flyers to Union Station, Post Office, and Union State Bank and post at City Hall and community bulletin board.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – someone painted “CLEAN DRAIN DRY” on fishing dock. It was suggested that if may have been Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. Interim Clerk Johnson will check with Don George, KDWPT biologist.
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing
Councilwoman Pritchett – absent
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
SEED Grant – Treasurer Johnson received an email requesting clarification on the Amazon invoices breakdown between the different projects.
FEMA Flooding (DR4800) Project – Had a conference call with FEMA and DKEM on August 6. FEMA will provide weekly updates on progress of project through the system. Damage Description and Dimensions (DDD) on Project Rip Rap has been reviewed, signed and submitted. There was discussion on going ahead with the ditch/culvert work on 2nd St. Marbery was the low bid for all four components. If he does not get all of them there will be a $750 mobilization charge added to his bid. He is still the lowest bidder with the addition. Council agreed to start the 2nd St ditch/culvert work with Marbery as the contractor.
Sidewalk Project – Rogers & Sons started on August 5. Mayor Jurgensen said the cost to break up & haul off concrete slab on 210 Sherman is $2,000 and he authorized that addition to project.
Park Electric (south side) – lines have been laid but outlets have not been installed. Joe George volunteered to smooth dirt and seed the excavation area.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss applicants and conduct interviews for non-elected personnel position, the open meeting to resume at 10:40PM
Cassidy called in at 8:30PM, out at 8:35PM, Arnold called in at 8:36PM, out at 8:59PM, Hall called in at 9:00PM, out at 9:11PM, Bryant called in at 9:12PM, out at 9:43PM, Johnson called in at 9:52PM, out at 10:15PM.
Open meeting resumed at 10:40PM. No action from executive session.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 10:40PM
The cost of employee benefits in 2024 for Bourbon County has come up frequently in recent discussions about the county budget. Generally, the number has been given at around $4,000,000 for about 100 employees.
In paperwork from the county, the actual amount budgeted for 2024 was $4,379,580, but the amount actually spent in 2024 was $3,942,848.
While those numbers are correct in the sense that they represent the amount that shows up on the accounting document, the roughly $4 million amount includes money that is deducted from the employee’s paycheck for various benefits. For example, if an employee’s family is being covered by county health insurance, the employee is responsible for a portion of those premiums, but the amount the employee reimburses still shows up as outflow under the Health line item.
In 2024, $1,490,497.44 was deposited into the employee benefits account as “Reimbursed Expenditure” from employee salary deductions, which covered employee contributions for benefits. These deductions include various types of insurance that the employee can choose to pay for, as well as money funding health savings accounts or flexible spending arrangements.
So to get a better idea of how much of the money being payed out in employee benefits is actually being paid by the county and not the employees, the amount that is being paid by employee payroll deductions needs to be subtracted from the amount flowing out of that account. The total employee benefit expenditures minus the amount reimbursed via payroll deductions come to $2,452,351.46.
With approximately 100 employees, this would bring the average spent per person on county employee benefits closer to the $24,000 range, rather than the $40,000 range, as it might appear at first glance.
“Classes begin Tuesday evening at Community Christian Church Use the southeast side door. Classes will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for 13 weeks beginning August 26th,” said a spokesman, Jon Bailes. “Everyone is welcome and there is no charge except for a workbook.”
“This is a Biblically based program that has been operating with great success at helping people who have lost a loved one.”
Community Christian Church is hosting, but is not responsible.
A special budget work session will be held on August 21, 2025, at 5:30 PM with the Budget Advisory Committee.
A special meeting with Don Doherty will be held on August 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Information Packet Summary
Executive Sessions (Page 2) The document outlines the permissible reasons for holding executive sessions, citing Kansas Statute KSA 75-4319 (b). These reasons include discussing personnel matters, consulting with an attorney, handling employer/employee negotiations, discussing financial affairs or trade secrets, preliminary discussions for real estate acquisition, and security measures.
Accounts Payable (Pages 3-11) A detailed summary of open invoices by department is provided. The total accounts payable for approval is $177,534.86. The report breaks down the total by various funds and departments, including:
BOND SALES TAX – COUNTY JAIL: $13,241.86 (Page 11)
County Commission: $3,283.23 (Page 12)
Planning Commission Resolution (Pages 19-20) The resolution details the establishment, composition, functions, meetings, and voting procedures for the Bourbon County Planning Commission. A quorum consists of four members, and most matters require a majority vote of the quorum present. The commission is authorized to approve subdivision plats and make recommendations on zoning and planning issues. The county counselor will provide legal representation.
Payroll Processing Information (Pages 201-202) This section is a form for gathering information related to payroll processing, including:
Whether payroll has been processed in the current year.
Payroll software used.
Pay period dates and next check date.
Frequency of payroll (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or annually).
Whether paper checks are required.
A list of possible deductions, such as retirement plans, medical/dental insurance, garnishments, and union dues.
Our next Parent Empowerment Circle will focus on fun! The gathering will be held on Sunday, August 24 from 130 – 3:30 at the Splash Pad and Sensory Park, 111 N. National Avenue in Fort Scott. Families should bring their own lawn chairs, water to drink, plus their own snacks, sunscreen, towels, and dry clothes for their kids.
Key points from 8/11/2025 Commission Meeting with links to that section of the video recording.
07:35 Brad Matkin from the City of Fort Scott requested the county produce asphalt for the city at $65 per ton, requiring approximately 2,000 tons this year, which would save the city about $35 per ton plus travel costs compared to other sources.
18:17 The commission discussed canceling the IT support Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Fort Scott as they had hired their own IT support, with Commissioner Milburn moving to cancel the agreement effective immediately.
20:47 Bob Guilfoyle from Crawl Can Internet presented two internet service proposals: maintaining the current network at a reduced rate of $1,100/month (down from $1,400) or separating the Sheriff’s Department onto its own network for $1,220/month total, which would provide better security and redundancy.
01:02:17 Justin from Crawl Can explained the difference between hosted and on-site phone systems, noting that hosted systems cost about $30/month per phone (with 125 county phones currently) and require each phone to have its own number, while on-site systems have a one-time purchase cost with some recurring software fees.
01:07:49 The commission tabled the internet service decision until August 25th to allow Commissioner Tran to consult with a technical expert and gather more information about the total costs involved.
01:52:17 Susan Walker, County Clerk, presented information about upcoming election deadlines, including October 14th as the voter registration deadline, October 15th for mailing advance ballots, October 20th for early voting at the courthouse, and November 4th as the general election date.
02:06:50 Matt, the County Appraiser, reported that Bourbon County is in compliance with state valuation requirements but still approximately 18% below the ideal valuation ratio of 90–110%, with residential properties and farm home sites showing the largest increases in value.
02:19:34 Commissioner Tran presented data showing that 20.8% of Bourbon County households pay less than $800 annually in property taxes, 19.2% pay between $800–$1,499, and 18.5% pay $3,000 or more, with the median home value at $95,600 and median tax bill at $1,694.
03:14:58 The commission voted to move forward with Emerson and Company for payroll services, with the understanding they would work with the County Clerk’s office during the transition period.
03:17:03 Commissioner Milburn reported on discussions with the driver’s license office and sixth judicial district about relocating them from their current building, with the driver’s license office potentially moving to the courthouse and the judicial district to the former health center trailer.
03:29:59 The commission discussed repealing Resolution 1425 to remove the Budget Payroll Benefits Officer ($10,000), Road Records Officer ($5,000), and Chief Operations Officer ($88,616.84) positions from the county’s organizational structure.
03:39:11 The commission scheduled a special meeting with insurance broker Don Doherty for August 22nd at 5:00 PM to learn more about the county’s insurance plans.
03:41:22 Commissioner Tran emphasized the importance of reaching consensus on maintaining the current mill levy before determining budget priorities, stressing the need to take care of county services while maintaining professionalism throughout the budget process.
03:43:17 Commissioner Milburn announced that the tax sale list was sent to the law firm on August 8, 2025, and emphasized that property valuations are market-based, with the commission only directly raising taxes when they increase the mill levy or choose not to lower it when valuations increase.
Students start school in USD235, Uniontown, on August 20.
“We anticipate enrollment numbers being similar to what it was last year,” said Superintendent Vance Eden. “We frequently see fluctuations in enrollment all the way through the first week of school, though.”
This year, there is a new athletic director/assistant principal, Megan Mason.
Additionally, the following new teachers are: Aidan Abandon, high school history; Jennifer Ziegler, high school English; Cole Criss, junior/senior high physical education; Lauren Shinn, 6th grade; and Dallas Masoner, 6th grade.
The teachers in new assignments this year are Jenny Covey, 3rd grade; Rose Gauthier, 2nd grade; and Haley Troutman, Kindergarten.
“The kindergarten through 8th grade have new math resources this year, and there is a sprinkling of new supplementary materials throughout the district,” Eden said.
“A noteworthy item, the new ag shop will provide students with a better learning and shop space,” Eden said. “We are excited for what this can mean for the (agriculture) program.”
“For pre-kindergarten, we opened enrollment to three-year-old students who meet the necessary criteria for participation. We are excited to provide this opportunity to families and those young learners.”
“The district has adopted six goals as part of this year’s strategic plan. Those include:
1.5- Conduct a thorough review of literacy and math proficiency rates K-12 to determine successes, trends, and potential gaps.
1.8- Conduct a review of discipline policies and align them and their implementation to district objectives of clarity, consistency, and accountability.
2.3- Support staff development efforts through shadowing other educators in other districts.
2.8- Develop additional ways to utilize hands-on and experiential learning opportunities.
3.4- Develop additional ways to recognize students who are consistently meeting specific expectations.
3.6- Increase timely, consistent, and effective communication between schools and families. Consider options with apps, newsletters, and additional surveys for input.”
“Aside from that, the district will be completing all of the relevant construction projects related to the passing of the bond (last year approved by constituents) over the next year. Timelines for those individual projects vary.”
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Brad Matkin, Ft. Scott City Manager, address the Bourbon County Commissioners regarding a number of items including the county’s taking on of providing E911 service, asphalt production for the City of Fort Scott and the cancellation of the IT agreement the city had with the county.
There has been no update from the budget committee regarding the E911 agreement yet.
Matkin said that Ft. Scott wants to purchase asphalt from Bourbon County, as the city now has equipment to lay it themselves. “We would like to purchase asphalt in the county to keep the money in the county,” said Matkin. He said they would need about 2,000 tons in 2025 and more in 2026.
Commissioner Mika Milburn expressed concern about how the workload of the county’s public works department would be affected and wants to recheck the cost of production.
Matkin pointed out that it would be another revenue source for Bourbon County, and that the city would communicate with Public Works regarding how much and when the asphalt was needed.
“Bottom line: looking out for the tax payer in Bourbon County,” he said.
Commissioner Samuel Tran asked for the details of the job, pointing out the county needs to have enough raw materials and the manpower to create the asphalt. He also asked for another look at the interlocal agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
Milburn suggested that the city crews might be able to help the county with the county’s asphalt laying. Beerbower suggested that city workers might help county workers in the asphalt plant.
Tran was concerned about liability and tax laws and wants to, “take it one step at a time.”
Matkin asked them to discuss and gather the information they need and he will come back in a couple of weeks.
Finally, the city cancelled its Memorandum of Understanding with Bourbon County for IT Support for the City of Fort Scott. It had been in place since 2023.
Bob Guilfoyle and Justin with Craw Kan Internet and Telephone
The county has been on a month-to-month agreement with Craw Kan for internet service for the last three years.
Guilfoyle brought two separate proposals. One with the county on one big network for $1,100 per month, which wouldn’t change anything with how the network is set up, but is at a lower cost than the current $1,400 per month the county is paying.
Craw Kan was in the process of talking with the Sheriff’s Department about separating it’s network from the rest of the county. “This network is huge,” said Guilfoyle. It’s one of the biggest networks Craw Kan has.
Craw Kan’s second proposal for $1,220 per month, would upgrade the county system to a gig for the courthouse and a gig for the sheriff’s department. The Sheriff’s department would then need to get it’s own firewall, since it wouldn’t be using the one at the courthouse.
Tran asked Guilfoyle to take the numbers back to his manager and see if he can get a lower price.
Separating the internet also means separating phones from the County.
Craw Kan representatives said they need better direction from the county to know what information regarding costs and services they offer.
The commission decided to table the decision until August 25, so they can run the information by the county counsel and collect more information.
Department Updates County Clerk Susan Walker
An RNR hearing is set for August 25 and a budget hearing needs to be published too. Dates need to be picked based on when the paper is published.
The budget advisory committee plans to present a budget document to the commission for them to alter as they see fit. The committee head, Greg Motley, wants to protect the volunteerism of the committee members and not have all of them come to the budget work session the commission has planned for 5:30, Aug. 21.
The commission will choose a date for the budget hearing after that work session.
Election update: Tuesday, Oct. 14 is the deadline to register or update registration. On Oct. 20, early voting begins at courthouse. Nov. 4 is the general election.
Walker advised Bourbon County voters to check their new voter registration cards for voting locations. If the information is incorrect, return to sender through the postal system so the clerk’s office can receive it. Do not bring it into the courthouse.
Walker offered a session to go over financials with the commission.
RNR Hearing letters were mailed out and published in the newspaper. This year the county will be reimbursed by the state for that cost.
Walker also thanked WardKraft and the city of Fort Scott for their help, “in a pinch.”
County Appraiser Matt Quick
The state of Kansas has declared the appraiser’s office to be in compliance. This is based on statistical performance and accuracy of valuations. Smaller homes are one of the big categories that are undervalued in Bourbon County. This is all determined by the market, not county or state officials.
Tran read statistics about the taxes paid in the county and surrounding counties.
Old Business Benefits Committee Bylaws – Commissioner David Beerbower moved to rebuild the committee per the bylaws, getting one employee from each of the categories of coverage options. He suggested getting lists of who is in each of those groups and asking for individuals from them to volunteer for the committee. The motion carried.
Hospital Equipment
The sale is underway on govdeals.com
Casey Brown Letter of Support
Motion to sign the letter of support for the rides at SEK-CAP with no monetary contribution was approved.
Planning Commission Creation Resolution
Michael Hoyt spoke to the commission about the updated resolution edited by the county counsel. He said the document only lists KSA 12-744, which must be incorporated with all the other state statutes that apply.
Hoyt says the county doesn’t have the right of home rule, cited in the second paragraph of the current resolution, per the KSA regulation, thus those words should be removed from the resolution.
The commission voted to table it until county counsel can look it over.
Payroll Discussion
Milburn said there’s been a lot of discussion about use of payroll service. She said the commission has received emails from the company being considered and that they will handle the payroll needs of the county, freeing up county personnel.
Susan Walker, County Clerk, said that the current software company has said they will loose all their historical data in the conversion, so all those records will have to be printed or stored some other way for access. Payroll records have to be kept forever, per the Kansas Historical Society. The payroll company representative said he didn’t think that was necessary and that they should defer to Dr. Cohen, the county’s HR provider.
Walker disagreed, expressed that she doesn’t feel like she or her deputy clerk are being heard when they express their concerns to the commission about the costs and difficulties of the transfer. She was also adamant that she cannot run her office if the commission cuts a person from it.
Walker said that in the past, the county’s benefits were administered by the state of Kansas and when the county “left the state of Kansas” all that work came to the clerk’s office.
“I feel like I have given a lot to this organization with my experience and I feel like it’s retaliatory,” said Walker. “If you cut my pay, I don’t know that we want to do these services in our offices as before.”
Milburn said that her office had always been doing these services. Walker disagreed and said that they are doing a whole lot more work now than in the past. That was why the commission voted to pay her extra for her payroll duties in January.
Milburn moved to go with Emerson and Company for Payroll. Motion carried.
108 W 2nd Street
Milburn had conversations with the driver’s licence office and they want to move to the courthouse. She discussed how this could save the county money and consolidate services for county residents. The commission decided she should go ahead with the work and keep reporting back to them.
Budget Discussion
Milburn questioned the amount being paid for budget, payroll, benefits and road records.
Beerbower asked about the election budget. Walker said they were going to be short by $1,500 of the costs for elections this year.
Beerbower said he was not for resolution 1425 in January and thought it went through too fast, but he also doesn’t want to handicap the departments the money went to. He suggested reviewing it in January, 2026 when the salary resolutions are voted on.
Walker asked if they don’t want her doing budget next year either.
Milburn made a motion to repeal resolution 1425, 1225, and strike the chief operations officer for $88,616, extra assigned duties budget payroll and benefits officer for $10,000, and road records officer for $5,000.
The extra assigned duties budget payroll and benefits officer was paid to the clerk for the extra duties, but there’s also an employee in her office who does that work under her supervision.
Tran asked what happens if we remove it. Beerbower said that because it’s incorporated into payroll, a new resolution with the new salary amount will need to be passed by the commission.
“If we’re taking some of that work away, then I don’t see why it’s unreasonable,” said Milburn.
The motion passed.
New Business
Insurance Meeting Request
Milburn asked for a meeting with the county’s insurance broker, Don Doherty on Aug. 22 to educate the commissioners.
Commission Comments
Tran: “Tonight was tough,” he said. He thinks that the three commissioners will need to come to a consensus at the budget work session regarding the mill level.
“We have to be professional…that’s the only way we’re going to get through this,” he concluded.
Milburn: The tax sale has been sent to the law firm as of 8/8/2025.
She also wanted to inform citizens that the property tax rate is based on the market and is out of the commission’s hands. The only thing the commission controls is the mill levy.
“I don’t want to burden the tax base. We don’t have a lot of ways we can not do that, but we have to try,” she said.
Beerbower: “This isn’t something that’s going to get solved year one,” he said of the budget issues. He said they need to make good decisions with the tax payers money.
“Mission first, men always,” you have to take care of your people, he concluded.
