Freeman of Ft. Scott and funding for a Sheriff’s Department Financial Advisor top commissioner meeting activity on Dec. 23.
The commission dealt with several business items related to the re-opening of a hospital in Bourbon County and the county’s relationship with Freeman of Fort Scott. The approved a memorandum of understanding between Bourbon County and Freeman Fort Scott. This is to understand the way they’re going to spend the sales tax dollars they receive and let the county know how their going to spend it. Commission voted to sign in.
An agreement for equipment list that Freeman of Ft. Scott wanted from the hospital building was approved and signed.
The commission also approved and signed a letter to the IRS on behalf of Freeman of Ft. Scott, explaining that the hospital is committing to be open by June 1, 2025 and asking for patience regarding paying taxes.
Sheriff Bill Martin, presented his request for funding for a financial advisor again. Since the Dec. 19 commission meeting, financial information for the county was collecting showing $21,800 from county counselor’s budget that could be moved to the Sheriff, and $64,000 in the courthouse maintenance fund which could also be moved, as well as $50,000 in the commissioner contingency fund. This protects the $250,000 cash carryover from 2024 going into 2025.
Mr. Hart from the firm of Baker Tilly explained his approach to financial advising and how he can help the Sheriff’s office.
Beth made motion to transfer $36,000 to pay Baker Tilly from the commissioners contingency fund and that if the funds are not available, the money be moved from the county counselor or courthouse maintenance fund. The agreement is for $3000 per month. Beth and Harris voted for it, Wisenhunt against.
During the public comments section of the meeting, Heather Ethridge, president of West Plains and Centerville cemetaries presented an issue regarding recording deeds of burial sites. She presented a thick stack of deed papers and asked if there is a way to have them scanned in to the county’s records for future reference. “They don’t need to be registered,” she said, just recorded for access by those who purchased them, should they loose their own records. No taxes are paid on the deeds, but the current cost is $23 to register each deed, and the cemeteries don’t have the budget for that. Taxes for maintenance of cemeteries are paid by residents of towns served by cemeteries. Some donations as well as perpetual care funds help with improvements and maintenance such as surveys and maps.
The commissioners are in favor of waiving the fees, but will have to research it to be sure to follow all regulations before taking any further action.
Deb McCoy brought up her concern regarding California Legacy Healthcare’s tax abatement situation. McCoy claims the county doesn’t have a standard policy and procedure when it comes to submitting applications for tax exemptions and so should follow the state guidelines. California Legacy Healthcare completed the tax exemption application and had it notarized on March 11, 2024. State statutes provide for tax exemptions for hospitals. However, the building and land was not a hospital from 2022-23 and Legacy has not paid the $400,000 tax bill for that time. McCoy maintains that Legacy has taken advantage of the community “at every twist and turn,” and asked the commission if they are going to allow Legacy to walk away from their outstanding tax bill. Her main contention was that the county doesn’t have it’s own procedures for filing for tax exemptions.
Legacy was helpful in getting KRI and Freeman to begin re-opening a hospital in Bourbon county, claim commissioners Beth and Harris. Harris also stated that the state has forgiven the $400,000. “Legacy did a good job,” said Harris.
“It’s not an opinion, actually. KRI is here strictly because of Legacy and only because of Legacy. That’s the facts,” claimed Beth.
Anne Dare stated, “My main concern is that county funds are being doled out so quickly at the end of the year.”
She also mentioned payments made to REDI, per her records request: in 2021, $174,500; in 2022, $300,500; in 2023, $155,000. All of which is well over the $130,000 promised at the beginning. “I would implore you to defund or not use REDI anymore.”
Beth responded that regarding the funding the county gave REDI, “A large portion of that went for grants.” It didn’t go directly into REDI’s pocket.
Another citizen asked if the county budgeted to fund REDI in 2024. Commission Beth answered they did budget for it by putting the money in the commissioner contingency fund.
Kelly Perry, a small business owner in the Bronson area, asked that regarding REDI, the commissioners would install some “checks and balances.” Regarding her own business, she said she hasn’t received any services from REDI but has done all her own grant writing and searching for help for her small business.
She also mentioned that in order for REDI to maintain its charitable status, it cannot bill for services.
Perry concluded that she has been afraid to speak up because of backlash and consequences for her family business. She claimed there are other violations of rules that REDI has committed, but because she served on the REDI board in the past and signed a non-disclosure agreement, she cannot give particulars. She ended by asking the commissioners to do their research before going further with REDI and received applause from citizens at the meeting.
Michael Hoyt presented letters of interest received over the last weeks after he was asked to head a citizen’s committee on redistricting. Hoyt expressed that he did not wish to chair the committee anymore due to negative feedback from the community.
Beth reminded everyone that the company SAM has been hired by the county and is in the process of creating the three maps that the commission will then select from for the new 5-commissioner-district county. Harris expressed the desire for the citizen’s committee to get together and weigh in on the redistricting decision.
A citizen asked for a town hall meeting about the redistricting. Commission states that citizens can come to the commission meeting on Dec. 30 to discuss it at that time.
The committee members are: for District. 1: Kelly Perry, Jim Sachet, Ron Miller; district 2: Josh Jones, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, Pete Allen, and district 3: JD Handley. Katie Bowers, who was at the commissioner meeting, asked to be added to the committee and was.
New commissioners are sworn in Jan. 13.
