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Category Archives: Bourbon County
Starlite Family and Consumer Education Club Minutes February 2024
President Glenda Miller opened the meeting with a presentation on the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiances. Vice President Joyce Allen led the club in reciting the Pledge and the Club Collect. Twelve members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered twenty-two hours and had recycled six hundred and eighty-five pounds of paper and cardboard.
Glenda recognized the January and February birthdays with a bag of puff corn treats. Glenda also read a piece “You know you are from Kansas if” in celebration of Kansas Day and presented a quiz on President Washington and Lincoln in honor of Presidents Day. Joyce Allen took first place with a perfect score.
Doris Ericson presented the Treasurer’s report. She announced that she turning in our Best Choice labels and reminded us to continue saving them. A Thank you card from the Veteran’s Hospital in Topeka was presented to the club.
Old Business consisted of a report that the Valentine cards had been delivered to the Nursing homes and to Tri-Valley. Terri Williams announced that she had contacted the American Legion to see if we could reproduce the coloring book on the Bill of Rights which is no long in print. We would have to fill out a form and get their permission first. They suggested we go to their website and see the available products. The club also discussed their plan to gather and send shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
The Club members are to bring a dozen plastic Easter Eggs and a bag of candy to the next meeting. The eggs will be presented to the Tri-Valley clients. Other new business was the Bourbon County Fair. Letha Johnson moved that we donate $50 to open class, Taylor Bailey seconded the motion, motion carried. The Club also moved to participate in the Hay Bale and Scarecrow contest.
Doris Ericson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Joyce Allen second the motion, motion carried, meeting adjourned.
After the meeting Taylor Bailey presented the lesson on “Senior Living,” which educated us on options available and when and where to seek assistance.
Refreshments of Cherry Cheesecake, chocolate kisses, nut and drinks were provided by Letha Johnson and Taylor Bailey and enjoyed by all. Glenda also had a Valentine’s game for the club after the meeting.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Amended Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission For This Evening
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
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
February 20, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Public Comments
- Healthcare Sales Tax Ballot Language
- Payroll Clarification for Courthouse Closure
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- 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.
Energy Bill Assistance on February 20 at the Library
Energy Bill Assistance
Temperatures are Falling. Bills are Rising.
Help is available to warm your home during cold Kansas winter.
Apply in person at the upcoming community event for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to restore or maintain electricity, natural gas, propane and other home heating fuels.
At the Fort Scott Public Library
201 S National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
on February 20, 2024
10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Please bring the following:
Identification
Proof of income
Current Utility Bills
Adult Basic Education Orientation Class Starts Tomorrow
Bourbon County Community Health Workers: Addressing Health Inequalities
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) contracted with Kansas University Medical Center to implement the Communities Organizing to Promote Equity, (COPE Grant) program and hired Community Health Workers.
One of the workers, Lindsey McNeil, was hired in partnership with KU Medical Center, and one, Lisa Robertson, in partnership with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. They are housed in the HBCAT office, on 104 North National Avenue in Fort Scott. They are also part of a coalition, Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), that helps develop strategies to address health inequities in our area.
“Equity looks different for us all,” said Robertson. “We serve others without judgment and want better for them and for them to live their best life.”
“We have been able to help about 400 clients with their specific needs,” said McNeil. “We have helped house over 40 people, including nine of our chronically homeless individuals. Through our LHEAT we have been able to bring FREE public transportation to the county (BB-Go), we have partnered with two different local laundry mats to bring FREE laundry programs to the county, and we have helped fund multiple other things with partner organizations like CORE, First United Methodist Church, etc.
McNeil has been a Bourbon County Community Health Worker, serving residents, since October 2022.
She is paid by KU Medical Center, through the COPE Grant, which is a grant through the Center for Disease Control (U.S. Government) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Robertson has been a social worker for 29 years and employed through the grant, since March 2022.
“We link individuals to needed services in the community such as Kansas Works for a job, local housing resources, medical and mental health providers, transportation providers the Department of Children’s and Families for SNAP Benefit or application for Medicaid,” Robertson said. “We help them get access to clothing, blankets, utility resources, food pantries and hot meals through Feeding Families in HIS Name.”
“I truly have a passion for doing this work,” Robertson said. “It is not an 8-5 job that you just walk away from. You think of things in the middle of the night that may help someone so you make yourself a note or text your co-worker so you don’t forget to run an idea by them. It takes teamwork. I go to garage sales or thrift stores and buy something because I know someone can use it.”
“We have amazing Community Partners that without them we could not do our jobs,” Robertson said. “Our partners help us when we need help or resources. We are blessed to live in a community that works together for the benefit of others.”
The following are excerpts from two testimonials by people helped through this program:
“They helped me find a place to live when I was facing homelessness again and connected me with resources such as SNAP, the Beacon and HCBS services.
“They have walked alongside me and supported me in my sobriety journey and have helped connect me to other people who are fighting the same battles as me.” ~Kelly
” I suffered a brain aneurysm and was put into a coma for my safety. By the grace of God, I survived. I woke up to a divorce, no home, and I had to start over.
“I had to relearn to read, write and try to make it…. I had nowhere to go, no job and no means of transportation. I found a hotel that worked with me and my service dog… I was able to find a job at Walmart. I still had no transportation, so I walked everywhere.”
“God put those CHWs in my life…They helped me look for a place, took me to doctor appointments and gave me rides wherever needed, and they have been huge supports in my life. With their help, I am back on my feet with a place to live and I am currently working on getting a vehicle. I appreciate them for all they do!” ~ T.
“The COPE grant was established in 2021 and was meant to only be around for 2 years,” McNeil said. “It was originally supposed to end in June of 2023. However, the grant was able to be extended until May of this year. Our grant officially ends on May 31st, 2024, so we are desperately seeking ways to continue funding the CHW positions in Bourbon County.”
To contact
Lindsey McNeil,
Cell: (620)952-3966
Lisa Robertson
(620) 687-2782
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting Agenda for February 20
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
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
February 20, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Public Comments
- Healthcare Sales Tax Ballot Language
- Payroll Clarification for Courthouse Closure
- 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.
Presidential Preference and Tax for Health Care Question Elections Coming in the Next Two Months
Two elections will take place this spring, a presidential preference one on March 19 and one on April 16, for a question on whether a one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed locally to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.
The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
March 2024 election
This is a Presidential Preference Primary.
“A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two-state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters select the party candidate. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992,” according to the Kansas Secretary of State website.
Early voting will take place at the courthouse and begin on March 12 and run until Monday, March 18 at noon.
Residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place from 7:00 am-7:00 pm on March 19.
The list of candidates is located below.
The Democrat-filed candidates are:
Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson
The Republican-filed candidates are:
Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley
April 2024 election
The sales tax question will be the only thing on the ballot in April, Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.
The one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.
“Right now, the question is still being drafted with the two attached questions being submitted by County Counselor Justin Meeks at the last commission meeting as possible options and are drafts that are subject to change,” she said.
The election will be held on April 16 with early voting beginning on April 9.
This is a draft of the tax question, subject to change:
Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station Closed February 19
The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024 in observance of President’s Day.
Red Cross Blood Drive Tomorrow at Buck Run
New Northwest Bourbon County Reservoir Project Introduced in Kansas Legislature
A bill was introduced on February 9 in the Kansas Legislature that could impact Bourbon County, especially those living in the northwest part of the county.
Senate Bill 497 reads that it is an act concerning economic development; establishing the Pike Reservoir Project District Act; providing for the construction of a dam and a lake in Bourbon County, residential and commercial property development, and water resource development; authorizing the establishment of a governing board for the project and the establishment of real property tax and sales tax increment financing districts to finance the project costs; creating the Pike Reservoir District sales tax fund and the Pike Reservoir District sales tax refund fund; authorizing the creation of a special district fund to pay project costs; authorize the issuance of special obligation bonds and pay-as-you-go financing to pay project costs.
To view the entire bill:
On February 12, the bill was referred to the Kansas Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Senator Robert Olson, who worked with the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs on the project, spoke with fortscott.biz about the project.
“It was just introduced and is a long process,” Olson said. “This is the very first step. To build that reservoir takes five to 10 years.”
State and county leaders met to discuss the matter several years ago, Olson said.
“Lynn Oharah, who was a Bourbon County Commissioner at the time was pitching that,” Olson said. Senator Tim Shallenberger introduced the bill and others were a part of the discussion, he said.
“I like the concept, especially in smaller counties,” Olson said. “We need the water for agriculture and public consumption. Your (Bourbon County) water situation was pretty bad (because of drought).”
“This will improve your water supply,” Olson said.
The project proposes an approximately eight-mile lake in northwest Bourbon County, with a 68-foot-long dam.
The location is described as beginning at the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 65; east along Highway 65 to 95th Street; north along 95th Street to the Linn county line; west along the Linn county line to Highway 3; south along Highway 3 to the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 65.
Olson envisions it will be like Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, he said.
“People living in big weekend homes, and if houses are built it can bring lower property taxes (for Bourbon County property owners),” he said.
One part of the long process of the project is public comment, he said.
The reservoir is named after Lieutenant Zebulon Pike who went through the area in the early 1800s.
Need A Job? FS/Bourbon County Job Fair is February 22
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