
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Early Voting Begins Today, Oct. 21 at the Bourbon County Courthouse
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for October 21
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 21, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 10/15/2024
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $382,843.51
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $288,169.30
- Approval of September Financials
- Becky Gray, Building Health Inc.-Letter of Support Request
- Teri Hulsey, EMS Director-EMS Grant Award
- Susan Walker, CFO-Financials
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- KCAMP Meeting Delegate
- Election Update
- 11-4-24 Meeting
- Resolution 12-24 Burn Ban
- Insurance
- Emergency Department Funding Agreement
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Heartland Awards:$615k for Electric Grid Resilience Project

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative members in Linn County and surrounding areas will soon benefit from enhancements to electric power grid resilience thanks to state and federal awards totaling more than $615,000, according to a press release from HREC.
Heartland’s Project RESTORE (Resiliency Enhancements to Strategically Transfer Optimized Reliable Energy) involves the installation of 10 remote-controlled reclosers to allow for speedy rerouting of power along existing lines to bring Linn County members back online within minutes rather than hours in the event of a substation outage, according to the press release.
By replacing hydraulic reclosers with remotely operated electronic reclosers, Heartland staff will be able to reroute power much more quickly, greatly reducing the time consumer members are out of power due to power supply interruptions. The project will allow Heartland staff to remotely reroute power between a total of 10 substations.
Heartland will receive $414,627 in federal funding for the project through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience Grant Program, and an additional $200,403 from the Build Kansas Fund, which was established by the Kansas Legislature to help Kansas organizations meet the matching fund requirements for federal infrastructure grants, according to the press release.
While the project was designed to address needs specific to Linn County, members in adjoining counties served by the affected substations will also benefit from these grid enhancements.
Heartland Chief Executive Officer Mark Scheibe said few electric distribution utilities serving rural areas would consider this type of project because of the cost and the technical knowledge required to make it work. As a result, already underserved areas miss out on technology that could substantially reduce outages.
“Our goal is for Project RESTORE to serve as a model for other rural providers to follow as they work toward improving grid resilience,” Scheibe said.
Project RESTORE was one of 11 projects selected for a total of nearly $17 million in funding through the DOE grid resilience program and the Build Kansas Fund.
About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.
Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.
Core Fall Fest This Saturday Oct. 19: Fall Fun For the Family

Larry and Vickie Shead agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.
To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at corebbco.deana@gmail.com or 785.488. 8411.
NATURE OF THE IMMINENT THREAT OF DISASTER: Fire Hazard Conditions
NATURE OF THE IMMINENT THREAT OF DISASTER:
Due to the extreme heat and little rain, fire-hazard conditions in Bourbon County are very high. Because of the limitations of water usage by rural fire districts, there is concern for the capabilities of those fire districts to address any fire. Once started, with the present weather conditions, a fire will be difficult to control by fire departments. Water usage is of great concern to all fire departments, and the availability of enough water to contain a fire.
The dry conditions, above-normal temperatures and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.
It is hereby proclaimed, directed, and ordered by the Bourbon County Commissioners, in accordance with K.S.A. 48-932, that the following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of this County by all citizens and visitors:
- All outside burning, unless specifically approved in writing by the Fire Chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.
The knowing and willful violation of this order shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law. [K.S.A. 48-939]
This Proclamation shall be in full force and effect until lifted.
Passed in open session by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, this 15th day of October 2024.
Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission for Oct. 7
October 7, 2024 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with Commissioners Harris and Whisenhunt and the County Clerk present.
Jean Tucker, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Michael Wunderly, Tim Emerson, Pete Owenby, Troy Schell, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Michael Hoyt, Debbi Shepard, Shirley Locke, Deb Martin, and Vance Eden were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting and led the flag salute.
Brandon made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 9/30/2024 and 10/4/2024, approval of payroll totaling $289,779.42, and approval of accounts payable totaling $558,232.10. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the culvert report for September for approval. Eric stated the fuel report was emailed to the Commissioners and the prices are looking good. Eric said FEMA will be here tomorrow to look at Quadrant One of the county and will be checking repairs, debris removal, and culverts that were replaced. Eric said the sales tax came in a little higher than they thought and he plans to do 3000 feet of Maple Road east of 55th Steet so that they can do preventative maintenance on it next year. Eric stated after they do that, they will put the asphalt equipment up for the year and focus on crack sealing as there are several places that are in need due to the dry weather. Eric said they are hauling gravel and will be taking the screen out to make road rock at the quarry. Eric stated there was some confusion on social media and he wanted to clarify the railroad crossing on Jayhawk Road will be closed Wednesday through Friday according to BNSF. Eric said that the BNSF release noted that they will be working on railroad crossings from Wall Street south into Crawford County. Eric said that he understands residents will be inconvenienced which is why we put the notice out on our website, Facebook page, and the local media sources so that everyone is aware. Eric stated he also contacted the three business in the area of the Jayhawk Road closure. There was road grader training last week which went well and the road graders are working on ditches now to try to improve water flow. Eric stated that there are some areas that look rough and that they will bring in rock if needed. Eric said he was contacted about removing the speed limit sign on Eagle Road between Highway 69 and 255th Street but he is going to wait as there is still gravel that needs to be added to the shoulders to complete the road work. Eric said he attended a Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission safety task force meeting via Zoom and handed out a sheet to the Commissioners to outline what was discussed and stated a comprehensive plan is being put together and there will be grant opportunities later. Eric stated that Bright Speed will move their phone line on 85th Street between Xavier and Yale Roads so that we can finish mowing both sides of the road. Eric stated the area on Xavier Road going up the hill has bedrock showing so they will have to bring in dirt and clay and then lay rock on top of that to fix the road. Eric stated false information was on social media stating that Bourbon County is going to drain Elm Creek Lake and make it into a rock quarry. Eric said that the Commissioners are only going to take core samples on the area in the southeast corner that the county owns to test the quality of the rock to see if a quarry is feasible. Eric reiterated that we are not going to drain nor close Elm Creek Lake.
Sheriff Bill Martin and Eric Bailey discussed the safety committee that the Commissioners asked Eric to form. Sheriff Martin stated last week KWORCC came in and explained the safety committee and what would be needed and required. Sheriff Martin said this is a brand-new program with KWORCC and currently only 6 out of the 80 members have formed a committee. Sheriff Martin stated the savings to the county would be $6,000 per year and the committee would need to consist of at least 6-8 members. Sheriff Martin said the Commissioners will need to decide if we are going to form a safety committee or if we want to wait a year for KWORCC to get the program established. Eric said that they have 12 county employees who have volunteered to be on the committee and that includes public works employees and elected officials. After discussion it was decided to have departments work in house on their safety plans and get an update from KWORCC in six months.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, discussed the upcoming General Election and went over what electioneering is. Jennifer stated that KSA 25-2430 outlines electioneering and defines it as “knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted, including wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election or clearly indicate support or opposition to a question submitted election within any polling place on election day or advance voting site during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof.” Jennifer explained this means that there cannot be any t-shirts, hats, flags on vehicles, magnets on vehicles, pins, or other wearable advertisement containing a candidate’s name or slogan. Jennifer said that the statue exempts “bumper stickers that are affixed to a motor vehicle that is used to transport voters to a polling place or to an advance voting site for the purpose of voting.” Jennifer said that any political yard signs near a polling place cannot be within 250 feet of an entrance. Jennifer stated a lot of people do not know about electioneering so she is going to get the information on our website and in the newspapers.
Brandon said that they have been working on getting communication towers put up in the northwest part of the county for several years. Brandon said there is $125,000 in ARPA funds that need to be allocated by the end of the year and suggested using the funds on the communication towers as it will be used to get radio signal for our first responders. Jim said that they need $106,000 for the hospital from the ARPA funds. Jim said that $500,000 total is needed and they are going to use $395,000 from the equipment fund and the rest from the ARPA fund. Jim suggested working with the CFO to look for other funds to put the towers up. Brandon said he would as he wants to get the towers up for our first responders. Jim asked County Counselor Justin Meeks to come in and speak about healthcare.
Brandon made a motion to amend the agenda to allow Justin to speak about healthcare in Bourbon County. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin Meeks said they had an unscheduled meeting today with the hospital and other players involved. Justin said that Freeman came into the healthcare discussion in May 2024 because of the work done by KRI and Legacy. Justin said that mid-August during an executive session an issue with equipment was brought up and as of today all equipment will be returned to the facility. Justin said the issue with the title to the building has been resolved and closing should occur within 5-7 business days then KRI can finalize with Freeman. Justin said the only thing left will be for the County to give Freeman $500,000 and the City of Fort Scott will give $600,000. Justin said Freeman will show how the money will be spent. Jim said they had a good meeting at Freeman where they met with the CEO and COO who he stated are excited with the news. Jim said Clifton has been involved in healthcare for three years and wants the public to thank him for his work as he has done a good job.
Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:05. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________,Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________,Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
10-15-2024 Approved Date
Amended Agenda For the October 15 Meeting
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 15, 2024 9:00 a.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 10/7/2024
- County Clerk
- KCAMP Meeting Delegate
- Kansas Gas Agreement
- New Year’s Holiday
- Election Information
- Insurance
- Discussion of Equipment Inspections
- Discussion of Burn Ban
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Updates From Community Leaders on Oct. 16: Luncheon At The Empress

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Deadline to Register to Vote Is October 15
USD235 Unapproved Minutes of Sept. 9 and Agenda for Board Meeting on Oct. 14
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
Uniontown, Kansas 66779
9 September, 2024
Revenue Neutral Hearing
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Revenue Neutral Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:15 p.m.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Seth Martin, and Brian Stewart
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Mason. Mason then led the group in the flag salute.
- Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
President Mason opened the hearing.
Superintendent Eden reviewed the budget.
No patron addressed the board.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.
Motion passed 7-0
President Mason closed the hearing at 7:18 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Revenue Neutral rate.
Motion passed 7-0. (Roll call form attached to minutes)
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, moved to adjourn.
Motion passed 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Uniontown USD 235 – Budget Hearing – September 9, 2024 page 2
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
Budget Hearing
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Budget Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:20 p.m.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart, and Seth Martin.
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by President Mason.
Hoener, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
The Budget Hearing was opened at 7:21 p.m.
Superintendent Eden reviewed and explained the budget.
No patron addressed the board.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.
Motion passed 7-0
President Mason closed the Budget Hearing at 7:27 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 budget.
Motion passed 7-0.
Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed.7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:28.
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 3
REGULAR MEETING 9 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the UHS Commons Area, Uniontown, Kansas.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart,
and Seth Martin.
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Mason.
Superintendent Eden read the mission statement.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
Kelly, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the August 12, 2024 Regular meeting minutes.
Motion passed 7-0.
.
Hoener, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
- Approve payment of bills in the amount of $478,657.50.
No patron addressed the board.
Shelly Kiblinger, DCS, gave a presentation regarding the Bond Survey Results
Superintendent Eden gave brief oral reports over sale of excess vehicles, Energy Performance Contract financing, Strategic Plan Update, Safety and Security Director/ job description.
Superintendent Eden and Principals Onelio and Miller gave brief oral administrative reports to the board.
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the the sale of a 2013 Toyota Camry and 2017 Chevy Equinox
Motion passed 7-0.
Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to approve Financing (Flagstar) Resolution 2025.12
Motion passed 7-0
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 4
Hoener, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve increasing substitute teacher pay to $120.00 per day and long-term substitute teacher pay to $170.00 per day.
Motion passed 6-1 S. Martin Abstaining
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to increase activity drivers pay to $18.00 per hour with no change to sit time rate.
Motion passed 7-0
- Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume at 8:50 p.m.
Motion passed 7-0.
Into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m.
Eden was invited into session.
Out of Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to return to executive session for the above stated reason and the open meeting will resume at 9:00 p.m.
Motion passed 7-0
Return to Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
Eden was invited into session.
Out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
President Mason called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:01 p.m
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Derek Jackson effective 9/4/2024
Motion passed 7-0
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve Matthew Morgan as full time custodian for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Motion passed 7-0
Kelly, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 7-0
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 5
Date minutes approved ______________________
______________________________
President, Board of Education
__________________________________
Attested: Clerk, Board of Education
The next regular board meeting is October 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
UNIONTOWN, KANSAS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Monday, October 14, 2024 7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
- Call to Order
- District Mission Statement
- Approve the Agenda
- Review and approve the September 9, 2024 Regular meeting minutes,
Revenue Neutral Rate meeting minutes and Budget meeting minutes.
- Consent Agenda
- Approve and pay bills on the computer printout $ 463,728.73
III. Informational Items.
- Audience with patrons
- Amanda Stagg – Shooting Team
- Kyle & Sheena Parks – Impacts of Industrial Solar
- KASB Convention- Nov. 15-17 (kasb.org/convention)
- Bond Issue
- Wellness Policy
- Solar Contribution Agreement(s)
- EMC/SRO
- Strategic Plan
- Administrative Reports- Mr. Onelio, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Eden
- Action Items.
- Approve paying $1,076.35 insurance for Fitness Center. BHH Ins.
- Approve Wellness Policy
- Approve Contribution Agreement(s)
- Executive Session – Personnel
- Executive Session- Superintendent Evaluation
VII. Adjournment.
October 11, 2024
TO: USD 235 Board of Education Members
FROM: Pam Kimrey, Clerk of the Board
This letter is to serve as your official notice of the Regular Board Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Next regular board meeting date is Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:30.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 15
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 15, 2024 9:00 a.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 10/7/2024
- County Clerk
- KCAMP Meeting Delegate
- Kansas Gas Agreement
- New Year’s Holiday
- Election Information
- Insurance
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.


