Law Enforcement Center

After a recent, public meeting raised questions concerning the law enforcement center project and the reason for added square footage, the commission met with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Director Will Wallis Tuesday to clarify the issue.

During the meeting last Thursday, architect Larry Goldberg said the reason for the added 2,000 square feet to the design was to make room for the Emergency Operations Center to be located onsite. County commissioners said they had not been informed of that detail.

Wallis explained Tuesday that the area is not the county’s EOC, which is located in the basement of the courthouse, but is an alternate location that could be used as a headquarters during an emergency or disaster. It will, however, serve as the Continuity of Operations (COOP) location, a national effort that ensures that individual departments and agencies continue to perform their services in any emergency.

Wallis and Sheriff Bill Martin both emphasized that this multi-purpose area—which will also be used for training and administrative purposes—has been in the jail plan since it was initiated, so does not account for the addition to the design.

Though Wallis said he hopes the area would never have to be used as an EOC, he said it is important to plan ahead and have an area large enough with sufficient resources for communication.

Martin said in the meantime it would still be put to use such as for in-service training that is required annually, allowing deputies to complete the training locally instead of travelling.

But while Wallis said they would like to stick to their original plan of including the multi-purpose area, he said if the budget does not allow it than, “so be it.”

Commission chairman Barbara Albright said she wanted to make sure voters know they are getting what they voted for in the project.

“We’re trying to be as open and transparent as possible on the project,” Albright said.

Budget

The commissioners also wrapped up the 2015 budget with Certified Public Accountant Terry Sercer, who explained their funds will likely be tight entering the new fiscal year, with little left over for reserves.

However, Sercer said most of the county departments came in below budget for the 2015 fiscal year, leaving enough for the carryover the commission had already budgeted for in 2016, allowing them to not start the year off in the negative.

Sercer said the audit on the county will be complete by late April or early May, and encouraged the commissioners to begin looking at the next annual budget right away so they can plan ahead for any expected expenditures.

The commissioners said they do face an upcoming expense in fiscal year 2017 because of a new law requiring the county provide security. With the budget so tight, the county could face a decision to raise taxes or adjust the cost of living.

County treasurer Rhonda Dunn also requested that reserves be put in place for the appraiser’s and election funds in preparation for upcoming expenses to purchase new equipment and a vehicle.

Both the Democratic and Republican caucuses held Saturday had good turnouts from Bourbon County as residents participated in choosing their preferred presidential candidates for the general election in November.

Registered Democratic voters of Bourbon County were divided between different locations according to which state senate district they lived in. District 13, the southern portion of Bourbon County, caucused in Cherokee and had a total of 684 voters, with 456 voting for candidate Bernie Sanders while the remaining 228 voted for Hillary Clinton.

Those local results coincided with the rest of the state, with Sanders winning with almost 68 percent of the votes, receiving 23 delegates.

The Republican voters also turned out Saturday to vote in conjunction with Linn County at the Linn County fairgrounds.

Rhonda Dunn, vice chairman of the Bourbon County Republicans said the two counties combined turned in about 350 ballots during the 2012 caucus, but this year Bourbon County alone had 351 votes while the location had a total of 846 ballots cast. Because of the large turnout, the location ran out of ballots and had to use index cards instead.

Ted Cruz received the majority of Bourbon County votes at 187, and would go on to win the state with 48 percent. Donald Trump received 87 votes, Marco Rubio 43 and candidate John Kasich 33 votes.

During a special meeting called by the Bourbon County Commission Thursday morning, architect Larry Goldberg fielded questions concerning the jail project and eased concerns about surpassing the budgeted amount of $6.85 million.

“There have been questions surfacing around our community,” commission chairperson Barbara Albright said, assuring county residents they need not worry about having to pay more for the project. “Our intent is for the jail to be completed at the amount we voted on.”

Goldberg, president of Goldberg Group Architects, explained that initially they are the bearers of bad news when it comes to projects such as the Law Enforcement Center of Bourbon County. Early in the design process, Goldberg said their estimates are very conservative. But as designs are finalized and bids are accepted, those estimates come down.

“I have a duty to tell you all the bad news,” Goldberg said. “When you start a project, you’re always looking at your highest, most conservative estimate.”

Currently, that estimate is more than $600,000 over the budgeted amount approved by voters. But Goldberg assured those at the meeting that if the project is still over budget when the plans and contractors are finalized, then they will modify the plans to ensure that the project remains within budget.

Some of the reasons it has come in above budget so far is due to a shortage of skilled labor available because of other large projects occurring in the Midwest, leading to fewer and higher bids, and a rise in the cost of steel from $2,100 per ton to about $3,500 a ton.

Goldberg said they have seen that price level out some and they hope the other projects will near completion before the local jail project begins, helping bring down the cost further.

The price also went up when the architects added 2,000 square feet so the jail would not just house the Sheriff’s department, but provide space for an emergency operations center that could serve as a secure control center for the community in a time of disaster or emergency. The area would also be used as an added squad room and training area.

The commissioners said they had not been aware that was the reason for the added square feet and said they would revisit the plan to make sure they believe it is necessary.

Other questions answered included why the sheriff’s office had to be moved into the new facility at all. Goldberg explained that is required by law in smaller jurisdictions. He also explained to questioners that his own company’s payments are included in the $6.85 million budget and will not go beyond that.

The high price to purchase the property was also discussed, with Goldberg saying they had estimated $150,000 for the purchase of land but it ended up costing $200,000. But with deals for other areas of land falling through, few options had remained to the commissioners as the project was delayed.

The county will be responsible for removing existing structures from the property, but the commissioners also pointed out that some utilities are already available on the property because it had been a commercial area. Just this past week the results of an environmental test also came back clean, continuing to clear the path to construction.

Another issue raised concerned whether the Sheriff’s Department would have to hire further personnel to cover the transport of prisoners, but members of the department said the project was planned with the current number of personnel in mind and said they should not have to hire any others.

With designs likely taking another couple months to be finalized and bids having to be accepted, construction is scheduled to begin in July if all goes well, with the project being completed approximately 13 months later.

After alleged violations in rural fire districts came to the attention of the Bourbon County Commission and the county attorney, the county leaders began to work with District 13 Kansas Senator Jacob LaTurner to create a bill that would help ease the process and create better transparency with the districts.

County Attorney Justin Meeks said they determined no violations had been made when records had first been requested from the fire district by the township as an open record and then through an audit, since the necessary funding had ever been paid.

However, the circumstance opened another issue since only the township can request such an audit. Currently the commission has no jurisdiction over the fire districts or townships other than to appoint or approve township board members.

The proposed bill, which is to go through a hearing Thursday, would provide another means for getting an audit through the commission, who could request the audit if residents of the township bring probable cause to their attention.

“I think we’ll get it done,” LaTurner said during a meeting with the commission Tuesday morning. “I don’t know why anyone would oppose it.”

The township would still be responsible for paying for the audit, which could already be the key issue in having one done in some townships. If a fire district is located in more than one township, than the cost of the audit could be divided among the townships.

The bill would only apply the new statute to Bourbon County, though LaTurner said he believed it could be beneficial to other Kansas counties as well. If passed, the bill would go into effect as soon as it becomes a statute.

“It’s hard for me to imagine that we’re the only ones who have run into this,” commission chairman Barbara Albright said.

County leaders will draft a letter of support for the bill prior to the hearing. A copy of the bill can be found at the following link: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/measures/documents/sb476_00_0000.pdf

With the arrival of March and Super Tuesday, residents of Kansas can also look forward to showing their support for presidential nominees and other candidates by participating in the Democratic and Republican caucuses to be held on Saturday, March 5.

Those registered as Republicans can participate by traveling to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Mound City Saturday. The doors will open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m., with votes being cast by secret ballots between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Representatives from the five, current candidates may be on hand to speak on behalf of their candidate in order to sway voters.

“It’s important to be there,” Bourbon County Republicans Vice-Chairperson Rhonda Dunn said, saying she hopes Bourbon County makes a good showing at the caucus. “This is our chance to vote for a presidential candidate.”

Registered Democratic voters in Bourbon County will caucus at two locations based on what district they reside in. Those in Senate District 12, which includes the northern part of Bourbon County, can participate at the Jayhawk-Linn High School in Mound City. Those of Senate District 13, including the southern part of Bourbon County, will caucus at S.E. High School in Cherokee. Those unsure of which district they live in can contact the county clerk.

Caucus registration will begin at 1 p.m. and will include everyone in line by 3 p.m., excluding any late arrivals. After registration, representatives from both Democratic candidates will have an opportunity to speak and the process will be explained to the caucus-goers by a master of ceremonies.

Participants will divide themselves into groups to show their support for a specific candidate. If one of those groups does not receive enough supporters, it will be considered nonviable and those supporters must join another group.

When all in attendance decide on which candidate they will support, the number of each group is tallied and their ballots gathered and counted.

“It is an opportunity for representatives of presidential candidates, democrat family, friends, neighbors and local candidates to meet and greet like-minded people,” said Shirley Palmer, Bourbon County Democrat Treasurer.  “It will be the largest gathering of Democrats in one place at one time probably since 2008.”

Palmer encouraged registered voters to participate in order to make a difference in Kansas in the 2016 elections.

Submitted by Deb Martin, Feb. 22

Fort Scott, Kan., Bourbon County Republican Party Chairman Randall Readinger announced the March 5, 2016, Republican Presidential Caucus for Bourbon and Linn Counties.

“This year it looks like Kansas’ Caucus will play a major role in the presidential selection process,” Readinger says. “By all accounts the race will stay competitive for some time and Kansas’ Caucus is the first event after the first Super Tuesday on March 1 and before the second Super Tuesday on March 15.

“The Caucus gives all registered Republicans the opportunity to cast their ballot for the Republican Presidential nominee of their choice and help determine which candidate receives the votes of Kansas’ 40 delegates at the Republican National Convention.

“The Caucus is free, fast, and open to all registered Republican voters in Kansas.

“Our Caucus will be held at the Linn County Fairgrounds, 4­H Building, Mound City, Kan. The doors will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m. We will caucus, or vote, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Ballots will be counted immediately after voting is over.

“In order to participate in the caucus, participants must have been registered as a Republican by February 4, 2016, and must provide a photo ID at the caucus location. The Caucus process is free, fast and simple. After checking in, voters may hear short presentations by representatives of each candidate and then receive a ballot to vote.”

Additional information such as frequently asked questions and all caucus locations can be found at www.kansas.gop.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin informed the County Commission Tuesday morning of the department’s plans to add a K9 Unit to the Sheriff’s Office.

Martin said it has been about nine years since the Fort Scott Police Department had such a unit with a trained dog and they have recognized a need for that service in Bourbon County. When Martin brought the idea to the department, two deputies stepped forward and said they were willing to be trained as handlers and care for the dogs.

The deputies would have had to find a way to raise the money for the dog or receive funding from the county’s budget, but instead, a resident of the county stepped up and said they would provide the funding for two trained dogs and training for the deputies.

The handlers, which will also include the sheriff in case one of the others is unavailable, will go through three-week training sessions in Longford, Kan., in March and in May. The two dogs—about two years old and already trained with a guarantee of five years of service—will cost about $28,000 even after a $5,000 grant.

“These are dual-purpose dogs,” Martin said, saying they can sniff out drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines, as well as help law enforcement search for wanted or missing persons.

Martin said the unit would be available not just to the sheriff’s office, but the police department and the highway patrol if they need it as well, adding he thinks it would be a great benefit as he recalled a time when law enforcement had to wait for four hours for dogs to be brought to them.

“That was four hours of law enforcement twiddling their thumbs,” Martin said, saying having their own K9 unit would solve that problem.

“I think it’s a good deal,” commission chairperson Barbara Albright said, expressing gratitude to the individuals who donated the funds.

Residents from Bourbon, Linn and Crawford counties attended a class Monday afternoon giving them information on how to properly burn on their property in a way that is safe, legal and beneficial to their land and wildlife.

Christopher Petty of the Kansas State University extension office said he and Bourbon County Emergency Manager Will Wallis began planning for such a gathering almost a year ago to inform the public prior to the burning season, which begins to pick up in March.

Petty said their goals for the meeting were twofold: to teach ranchers, farmers and property owners how to burn properly and to support local fire departments.

“Burning taxes the small rural fire departments when they don’t know about it,” Petty said.

Wallis encouraged those present to call the local dispatch anytime they plan on burning. The dispatchers can then give them suggestions on whether it is safe to burn while also getting the location so the fire department is aware and can be prepared to help if needed.

Jason Hartman of the Kansas State Forest Service spoke about the regulations, permits and liability issues that go with burning as well as basic information such as the reasons for burning, which might include preparation for planting, better grazing, to improve or get rid of vegetation and reduce risk of wildfire.

“Every carefully prescribed fire is a wildfire prevented,” Hartman said.

Depending on the objective of the prescribed burnings, Hartman said burnings should be done at certain times throughout the year, with its effectiveness based on the season, weather, vegetation, management and size and intensity of the fire.

Deon Steinle of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service said those burning property also need to recognize that their burn will affect the wildlife of that area as well and is capable of either damaging or improving their habitat.

Drew Albert of the National Weather Service out of Springfield, Mo., reminded participants that weather plays a key role in deciding when to burn, since temperature, wind, humidity and drought conditions have an impact on the safety of burning as well as the direction the smoke will travel.

“We can be wrong,” Albert said of himself and others involved in forecasting the weather. “So you really have to keep getting updates.”

Joe Ludlum of the Bourbon County Conservation District provided a list of equipment available to rent while Dane Varney of the National Resources Conservation Service gave information on how to conduct a safe and controlled burn, including what equipment and crew is needed.

The Bourbon County Commission, project architects and construction teams discussed the new jail project’s budget Tuesday morning to clarify issues and answer questions about process made.

Initially, the county decided on the 74-bed jail costing $6.8 million, but as architects from the Goldberg Group Architects began creating designs for the building and looking at costs for materials, their estimated cost rose to 15 percent higher than that projected cost.

Kevin Rost of the Goldberg Group said part of the reasons for the higher estimates concerned the increase in square footage of the building, the fluctuating costs for materials such as steel and the high demand for contractors at the moment because of other projects being worked on around the area.

Rost said he has not participated in a project that came in at budget just as planned initially, since they begin with very conservative estimates while the designs are formed. He explained those estimates should come down as the plans are refined, more information is gathered and bids are eventually accepted.

“We’re just not to that point in the process yet,” Rost said, saying as they move further in the design process they will be able to share more information with the commission.

Commission chairman Barbara Albright said they have received numerous questions from the public asking about why the project is over budget and what their plans are to resolve the issue. Recently, the commission was able to give Goldberg Group and Universal Construction a plan including about $300,000 in cost savings through the road and bridge department and other areas.

Rost said they also will continue to look at ways to cut costs as the project continues, such as by encouraging the county to recycle the concrete removed from the selected site and selling the existing structure.

“We want to get the best value for the county that we can,” Rost said.

Each month, those involved in the project will meet with at least one commission member to keep them up to date on progress being made as they begin phase two of checking the site to make sure there is nothing underground that could prevent or damage the project. Geotechnicians will also be called in to test the soil.

“We just want to get it moving forward,” Rost said of the project. “I think we’ve got a good site.”

In preparing for the new year, the Bourbon County Commission went over the 2015 budget to make sure the financial numbers lined up and to see where changes could be made to make the 2016 budget more accurate.

Attorney Justin Meeks, county treasurer Rhonda Dunn and Jim Harris of the road and bridge department met with the commission Tuesday to discuss the revenue, expenditures and totals from the 2015 budget.

Out of the approximate $11 million annual budget for Bourbon County, the totals up through just last week showed $72,635.97 cash remaining in the general fund, with the few remaining days left in 2015 to go. That is the sum after more than $396,000 was set aside to carry over into the 2016 budget, though some cash reserves from previous years were also used.

Dunn shared that the general fund’s total revenue was down by about $185,000, coming from specific areas such as the motor vehicle tax, mortgage reimbursements and other taxes. But while the budgeted revenues did not come in as predicted, the expenditures were also down, helping even out the totals.

“We anticipated this,” commission chairman Barbara Albright said, saying they expected it to be a tight year and are planning for similar budget restrictions in 2016.

Dunn said she believes they collected much of the budgeted revenue and is not sure why the numbers were down across the different departments. Dunn will look at the previous five years to see if the totals follow a trend or if it could possibly be an accounting and budgeting issue.

The main discrepancy was found in the employee benefits department—including the social security, workman’s compensation and life insurance—which had a revenue of more than $2.3 million when it was only budgeted for $1.3 million, leaving a surplus that could not be put in the cash fund since it was not budgeted.

The road and bridge department also suffered a shortfall, but Dunn and Harris worked hard and found a way to transfer funds once bond money comes in to reimburse the department, resulting in $33,492.85 left in its balance.

While the budget is tight, Albright said it definitely could have been worse. Moving forward, she said they will try not to be too optimistic in their budgeting and remain careful in their spending.

The commission approved some amendments in the budget, including the road and bridge transfers as well as other changes to the employee benefits, noxious weed and landfill departments. Any other significant changes will not be made until about February of the new year, after the data is further analyzed.