Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Feb. 22

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February 22, 2022                                Tuesday 9:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Ann Dare, Matt Crystal and Bill Martin were present for a part or all of the meeting.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Eric Bailey presented a permit for culvert extension that was completed for Russell Felt at 2431 Jayhawk.  All commissioners signed.

 

The bridge at 130th & Birch has the outer stringer in place and welded.  Concrete decking is put back in and now we’re working on getting guard rail back up.

Eric stated they are calling for storms again this week.  Material wise we are holding up.  We got truck 145 back last week.  We are on our way to get truck 146 so we’ll have 5 trucks to work with. Eric stated that we lost a previous employee over the weekend.  There will be several of us attending the funeral tomorrow just to let you know.  Landfill will stay open.Eric stated he met with Jeff Spangler last Tuesday after commission meeting and we went around and looked at some areas that IA is continuing to work on.  They are doing a good job and will be doing a final punch list soon.

 

Clifton stated he received a request for sidearm mower on the county road going east of Oakgrove Cemetery.  Eric stated they would take care of it.

 

Jim made a motion to sign a cereal malt beverage permit for 946 Hwy 69.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Ashley Shelton stated the Clerk’s office adds special assessments.  We have requests to remove special assessments (mowing, demo, clean up, etc.) from the city asking us to remove them.  The assessment requests are sent once a year to be added.  Once assessment removal requests are received, the chairman approves and the process is handled by the Clerk’s office, then passed on to the Treasurer’s for finalizing.

 

Justin Meeks reported work is being done to prepare for the next sales tax.  Demand letters will be going out soon for the sale in September.

 

Justin also reported that he has received revised contracts from Noble Health that he will be discussing with the Chairman.

 

Jim stated that in the past Justin mentioned about the county working with private investors at Elm Creek.  Is that still something we’re looking at?  Justin stated that five or six years ago we were approached by some people who were very interested in running an Airbnb or fixing up the cabins out there and having a private partnership.  With money as tight as it is I think it is a very good idea to have that happen.  It would be simple contracts.  Some of the cabins have repair needs.  Justin will check and see if the private investor is still interested.  Clifton stated this would have to be a bid out process to do this.

 

Ashley Shelton wanted to discuss closing due to inclement weather.  Ashley has a call-tree to all department heads and they in turn notify their employees.  The clerk’s office is the switchboard for the building.  We need to know if a department is closed so that as we receive calls that information can be passed along.  We notify the radio station and we put posting on Facebook.

 

Susan stated that we have heard back from the state and they don’t like the contract that we had with the appraiser.  We have fixed that and we’ve done a new resolution to comply with their format.  In 2025 the resolution will need to be renewed again.  We need to get this sent to the state as soon as possible.  Clifton made a motion to accept the amended resolution for the appraiser’s contract (32-21).  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Susan stated that has been working very closely with the Treasurer and Clerk’s office on various things.  One of the things we’ve identified in the treasurer’s office is that it is difficult for Patty to not have a lot of interruptions where she is currently at.  We have the control room right off of her office and we are asking that she be allowed to move into that area and that would allow her privacy and be able to concentrate a little better with less interruptions.  Commissioners approved.

 

Susan stated that when going over the financial reports over the weekend there are a few entries that need to be corrected.  I’m going to make those and we should have final reports next week.  Patty and I are working on those.

 

Public Comment: Anne Dare asked for justification for a new parking lot.  Justin stated it is the property owned by the land bank that is just west of the DMV building.  The building currently includes Driver’s License Office, Probation Office and Spyder.  The CEO of Spyder made a presentation to the city of Fort Scott and they are on rapid growth mode.  They have a lot of room to grow.  Susan stated that the property has to be advertised for 30 days.  The grant that we are applying for is due February 28th contingent on us getting the property.  Justin stated there is a dilapidated house that needs to be torn down.  We are also looking at some basketball goals to be used by neighborhood children when not being used for a parking lot.  Susan stated that only cost to us would be if there is a clearing title.  Justin stated if there is a title issue he can take care of it.  Anne followed up with asking why it is our place to provide parking for Spyder.  Justin stated that this building is our incubator.  Susan stated that the grant we are applying for we have to identify the businesses that are in there now and that grant is specific for expansion of business and that’s why they were named in our conversation.  Susan stated the project is estimated at $150,000. for the project.  That is only if the grant comes through.  Anne stated that with ESSR funds the school district will receive $6,000,000 – $7,000,000 dollars that USD is going to receive on their own.  I’m encouraging you all to be as fiscally responsible as you can with ARPA, Spark, etc. funds when these other entities come and ask the county for more funds.  Susan stated that the Spark funds were the first funds released for Covid and then later on we had all these other funds that came out.  At the time, when it happened, it was really to mitigate safe environments like the college used a lot of their funding to create dorm space to isolate.  The school districts were spent more on masks and extra janitorial services.  I think the intent of those Spark funds were used correctly at the time it happened because it was the only thing available.  We haven’t had any requests from the educational facilities today for any of the funding the county is receiving.

 

Elected Official Comment: No Comment.

 

Five minute break was requested.

 

Commission Comments: Lynne commented on closing the courthouse due to inclement weather.  Sometimes it’s justified to be closed.  When you look at the overall scope of who has to show up to work.  The biggest part of our workforce is going to be here and we’re going to pay time and a half.  I do think it is a great idea that if the department heads don’t think we can make it in that’s the way we should go.  Safety first for the families.  Jim stated each department head should be in charge of their department.  Clifton stated that weather can be different across the county.  Bill Martin stated he agreed that it should be up to the department heads for their departments to be open.  He asked if a person doesn’t come in how are they paid?  They can take vacation time.  Bill stated that it is not figured in his budget for snow days and paying time and a half.  Asked that that be looked at when planning budgets.  Jim plans to allow each department head to decide whether to be here or not.  The courthouse will be open unless Eric states that no one should be out on the roads.

 

Clifton suggested having an evening commission meeting.  It was determined the commission meeting for Tuesday, March 8, will be at the Community Building in Uniontown at 6:00pm.  The meeting will not be available via YouTube.

 

At 9:59am, Clifton made a motion to adjourn.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk

March 1, 2022, Approved Date

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Feb. 15

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February 15, 2022                                Tuesday 9:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Deputy Clerk present.

 

Susan Bancroft, Clint Walker, Matt Crystal, Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Shane Walker and Matt Quick were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes. Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Eric Bailey presented a permit for Eric Gray at 208th & Katy for an entrance tube.  Lynne made a motion to approve the permit.  Clifton seconded.  All approved.

 

Eric stated they are prepping for possible storm this week.

 

Eric stated that they had Emshaw training last Thursday at Buck Run.  We had some employees that were getting into the time frame of needing renewal so we got that done.

 

Eric started that Schaub Eaton has started the annual bridge inspections.  We have 139 bridges along with 30 low water structures to be inspected.  We will receive a report when completed.  The bridge at 180th & Birch is being worked on.  Guard rail got hit, the stringer is hanging and the bridge decking is rusting away.  We’ve got the stringer back in place and they’re working on getting the bridge decking back in place.

 

Eric will meet with Jeff Spangler this morning to drive back around looking at the roads following the road use agreement.  Making certain everything is met.

 

Jim asked Eric if he had looked at the road at 230th.  Eric said that would be this morning.

 

Jim gave Eric some information on rock crushers if Eric decides to get a larger one.

 

Clifton made a motion to amend agenda to move the County Counselor time to the bottom of the agenda.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Susan Bancroft presented resolution 07-22 (ROZ) Rural Opportunity Zone Student Loan Repayment Program Calendar Year 2022.  It is a state program created in 2012 under the Brownback Administration to help those relocating to rural areas.  They have an opportunity, if relocating to KS and have never lived in KS, in an area where there is a ROZ county they have the opportunity to have some of their student loan debt forgiven.  They also have 100% of their state income tax that can be waived for 5 years.  The county has the opportunity to contribute toward this but in the past we’ve always done zero dollars because we haven’t budgeted for it, but we still have to approve the resolution so that we can be considered a ROZ county so that cities and employers can participate in this because we are a ROZ county.  We are not tying ourselves to any funding but have to have the resolution in place.  Jim asked if we could contribute and Susan said that is something that needs to be looked at in the future as we doing our planning.  It could definitely be an economic development incentive.  Clifton made a motion to approve resolution 07-22.  As an FYI he stated that the county is allocating zero dollars per year for the purpose of matching.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Susan mentioned that next meeting we will be bringing back the County Appraiser’s contract.  The state has a certain requirement that they want it in a resolution form.  We just found that out late last week so we will be bringing it back once Justin has a chance to go over it.

 

SEK Regional County Meeting will be March 17th in Garnett.  We need a head count for registration.  Please let me know this week if you plan to attend.

 

Susan stated that she had met with Ashley Shelton and Patty Love.  We have had some really good meetings to talk about structure and reporting.  The commissioners, county treasurer and county clerk all are required to do quarterly reporting which we have been a little lax on in the past.  We’ve put together a schedule of when this reporting is to be completed.  To save on publication costs we would like to do one report that gives cash, revenue and expenditures and that meets on the obligations we have to statutorily.  Patty and I also talked about doing monthly financial reports due on the 15th of each month.  We are very close to having end of year finished.  By next meeting we are hoping to bring all of that to you.  I’m meeting with Terri Sercer today to go over some entries that have to be made.  I feel things are going very well.  I want to give a shout out to Rhonda Dunn.  She has been a huge help with this process.

 

Susan handed out articles to the commissioners that are helpful as legislature starts to go through.  One is talk about food sales tax being zeroed out.  If the bill passes that will be just the state tax of 6 1/2%.  You will still have to pay local tax on food items.  The other article is regarding bipartisan infrastructure law.  A lot of federal funds coming to KS.  They encourage long-term capital planning which I think we have already started.  We have a work session set up.  We want to make sure we put together a really good plan.  It helps us when we are looking at some of the funding that’s coming down.

 

House Bill 2619 would require all compensation of elected officers to be posted on the county’s website.  I’ll watch this bill as it goes through legislative session and let you know when/if that passes.

 

Susan stated that there is grant opportunities.  The first is due by February 28th.  It’s called a Base Grant.  We can do three different applications for this grant.  It is driven by industrial parks, new business.  I sat down with Rob Harrington yesterday and I feel like the best project that we have that could potentially apply for this grant is the Spyder expansion and the parking lot that we want to build over there.  There is $100,000,000 dollars available.  It requires a 25% match.  You have six months to begin the project and two years to complete.  It has to be driven toward economic development and business.  The city will also be applying for this grant as well.  There will be another webinar tomorrow that I will be listening to on this subject.

 

Susan stated she met with city staff to talk about the north side parking project.  We are going to work together on that and renew some lines that we think are causing some water issues.  One of the things discussed was this could create another issue going forward because when we put the troths in for surface water it’s going to go to Judson and cause more issues because there are no storm drains to take it.  They are working on their side to see what they can do to address that.  I feel it needs to be engineered for ADA compliance and AG Engineering is about 4 to 8 weeks out before they can get to this project.  Do we wait for Ag Engineering or do we look for another firm to help with this?  Jim stated that he would like to keep it local.  Susan said she would get with Frank and see when they can work on this and then coordinate with the city as well.

 

Susan gave copies of Ashley Shelton’s training schedule just to keep them in the loop.

 

Susan met with Ashley and Patty regarding issues of grants and other funding coming into the county it sometimes isn’t identified very well.  As we develop new policies and handbook, I would like us to develop some kind of administrative policy book that talks about how we handle certain things.  When a payment comes to the county there is a form we would like the department head to complete that states we know this money is coming and this is where we want the money to go.  So there are no issues or delay in getting that information posted in the general ledger.  That is one of the things that Patty and I worked on and we’ll be talking about that in our next department head meeting.  As we develop those procedures we will bring them to you.  We’ll talk to department heads about them first.

 

Public Comment: Clint Walker stated it was nice to see Susan on the ball on the rural opportunities.

 

Elected Official Comment: No comment

 

Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property for minutes including 3 commissioners, Rob Harrington, Susan Bancroft, Justin Meeks returning at 9:43am.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:43am with no action.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property for 7 minutes including 3 commissioners, Rob Harrington, Susan Bancroft and Justin Meeks returning at 9:50am.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:50am with no action.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 785-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy including 3 commissioners, Justin Meeks and Susan Bancroft for 15 minutes returning at 10:12am.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 10:12am with no action.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

At 10:13am, Clifton made a motion to adjourn.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

 

Doretta Neville, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk

February 22, 2022, Approved Date

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Jan. 31

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January 31, 2022                                 Monday 8:35 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Anne Dare and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes. Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Eric presented two utility construction permits from Cox Communication.  One on 240th north of Limestone for fiber optic.  The other is on Kansas west of 230th.  Lynne made a motion to approve the two permits.  Clifton seconded.  All approved.

 

Ashley Shelton presented a Real Property Relief Application for 1762 255th St, Fort Scott.  Lynne made a motion to approve the Real Property Relief Application for 1762 255th St., Fort Scott, KS.  Jim Harris seconded.  All approved.

 

Susan presented Approval of Township & Cemetery Board Annual Report.  This is a report of all their budget numbers. We are missing about 12.  Those turned in are on budget.  These reports are sent to the state.  Lynne Oharah made a motion to approve the cemetery & township board reports that have reported for year-end budget of 2021.  Clifton seconded.  All approved.

 

Susan discussed sick leave.  We had our first department head meeting and it went well.  The resolution (06-22) being presented is how they feel the sick leave should be handled.

 

“Whereas all new hires accrue one day per month of sick leave.  One day will represent the number of hours a normal workday is for the specific position or department and whereas of February 1, 2022, new hires will be given 12 days of sick leave on the first day of hire.  If the employee leaves employment before their one-year anniversary date and sick leave used exceeds the annual accrual rate of one (1) day per month, the sick leave used must be reimbursed back to the county, Ex: Employee works sick (6) months but uses eight (8) days of sick leave and terminates employment.  Two (2) days of non-accrued sick leave will be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck, and whereas, the number of months of service divided by two (2) will be allocated on day one of the transfer for any employee who transfers from a salaried position to an hourly position.  Ex: An employee who has worked for Bourbon County in a salaried position for sixty (60) months (5 years) will be granted thirty (30) days of sick leave on the first day of the transfer to an hourly position.”

 

Basically we will frontload the sick leave for any new hire and if they terminate before first year of employment then they will have to pay days back.  And for the salaried position we basically stated that this is what they would have accrued and then divided it in half.  The department heads felt this was fair.  As a resolution it will be added to the handbook until the handbook has been updated.  Clifton made a motion to pass resolution 06-22 amending sick leave accrual.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Justin Meeks requested an executive session for attorney client privilege for 7 minutes.  Clifton made a motion for executive session 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 for 7 minutes returning at 8:53am including 3 commissioners and Justin Meeks.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.  Lynne made a motion to resume normal session at 8:53am.  No action.  Clifton seconded.  All approved.

 

Justin Meeks asked a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign any and all legal documents for the possible transfer of the hospital building to Noble Health.  Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign any and all legal documents from the county to Noble Health.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.

 

Justin Meeks asked for an executive session for proprietary information for 7 minutes including 3 commissioners, Susan Bancroft and myself.  Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships including 3 commissioners, Justin Meeks and Susan Bancroft for 7 minutes returning at 9:02am.  Lynne seconded.  All approved.  Lynne made a motion to resume normal session at 9:02am.  Clifton seconded.  All approved.

 

Justin stated that he received an e-mail from a patron concerning some sales tax revenue stuff from back in the day.  Obviously, I don’t have the ability to give that legal advice.  It doesn’t deal with the county specifically so I will be forwarding that on.  If I do need to address that myself I will request permission from the commission prior to that.

 

Jim Harris announced the commission has been invited to the 76th Annual Bourbon County Conservation District Annual Meeting to be held on February 5th, 5:30pm at Rosie’s Cabin in Uniontown, KS.

 

Clifton made a motion to allow the three commissioners to attend the Noble Health function.  No business will be conducted. Lynne seconded. All approved.

 

Anne Dare asked about the Township & Cemetery Board Annual Report. She has heard from 2 different treasurers stating that the information they had received was confusing as to what they needed to report for year end. She asked if this has been taken care of. Ashley Shelton stated that the distribution came in high at the end of the year; it shows that they had more money. They need to show whatever was over that they didn’t spend as a cash balance at the beginning of 2022. They are going to receive less money in 2022 but added with that beginning cash balance for what they received over should balance out. Anyone that has reached out to me has been given this information on how to handle it. I would encourage anyone with questions to give me a call. Susan Bancroft made a suggestion that we call in all the treasurers and give them a rundown on how to do this process.

 

At 9:08am, Lynne made a motion to adjourn. Clifton seconded. All approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk

February 8, 2022, Approved Date

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 15

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Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 15, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
• Resolution for Liquor Sales in the County
• Bob Reed – Resolution regarding Housing of Parole Violators
• County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
o BB County Representative for Lake Advisory Board
• Public Comment
• Elected Officials Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session: 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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures

Agenda Request – Lake Advisory Board

Agenda Request – Housing of Parole Violators

Resolution – Maintenance of Prisoners

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

“The Learning Tree” Trail Project Selected For National Humanities Alliance Foundation Initiative

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Kirk Sharp is the director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Submitted photo

The Gordon Parks Museum has become a part of a National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative,  Fort Scott’s Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp told the Chamber members attending last week’s coffee.

The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is a nationwide coalition of organizations advocating for the humanities on campuses, in communities, and in Washington D.C., which was founded in 1981.

“We received word on January 10th that The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail is being considered to be selected and would make a compelling profile on the NEH for All (NHA’s initiative) website,”  Sharp said in an interview with fortscott.biz. “Further discussion soon followed.”

To learn more about The National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, NEH for All,  view the profile website https://nehforall.org/projects/gordon-parks-fort-scott.

“This means everything to the museum, as this is an excellent opportunity to help further our outreach of this project nationwide and to keep the legacy of The Learning Tree film and Gordon Parks alive,” Sharp said. “This will also help tremendously to bring more visitors from across the nation, to not only to visit the trail and the Gordon Parks Museum but to spend time in Fort Scott and possibly visit other great attractions within our community.”

“The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail project is just one of six profiles selected in the state of Kansas and is one of the 260 profiles thus far, selected nationwide, that the (organization) spotlights as exemplary projects,” he said. “We are very honored, thankful, and thrilled that the National Humanities Alliance Foundation selected our Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail as one of the spotlight projects across the nation.”

“With funding from Humanities Kansas, the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Gordon Parks Museum set out in 2019 to create The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail.  Based on Gordon Parks’ semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in Fort Scott, The Learning Tree was also the first major motion picture directed by an African American. This historic sign trail celebrates Parks and commemorates the filming of The Learning Tree in the city,” according to the website.

 

Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

Increase Healthier Food Options

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Time is running out to take the HBCAT Food Pantry Survey!!! Please take two minutes and fill out the short survey RIGHT NOW!!!  This will inform our work with food pantries!! Please share!!

 

Do you donate to a food pantry?  Do you want more information? Guide our work to increase access to healthier options!! It only less than two minutes!!  The #HBCAT and #BCBSKSPathways Healthy Choices at Bourbon County Food Pantries survey is open today!!   PLUS Enter for a chance to win a Fitbit!! https://forms.gle/QR7SdJG4UmF4dEuq6

 

Submitted by

Jody Hoener

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.

President and CEO

Bourbon County, Business, Food

Freedom Farm Is Working Towards Agri-Tourism and Collaborations

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Kylene and Gary Palmer with their family. Submitted photo.

As a family unit, Kylene and Gary Palmer and their daughters, are in the process of turning their farm near Fort Scott into a business model that is a resource for consumers and producers.

Many of the plans on Freedom Farm are “projects in motion”, said Kylene.

“We haven’t ‘arrived’ yet, she said,  but they do have thoughtful plans and projects that they are currently seeking grants to build.

“We want to build a resource and outlet for local farmers that have sustainable practices to sell straight to consumers,” she said.” We are working on formulating the structure for a co-op that is both beneficial to the consumer and producer.”

“We are constructing a central hub at our farm to host farm tours, educational programs, a small market for local farmers and a certified kitchen as a resource for farmers, among other things,” Palmer said.

“We are super excited about the grant we received from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team,” she said. “We plan to use those funds to build a freezer/cooler in order to have space to ramp up production of our meat and eggs.”

They have dreams of a small, by appointment only, on-farm restaurant.

“The idea there is less about a restaurant and more about connecting consumers to local farmers,” she said. “We would love to have guest chefs from our local community and surrounding areas to keep things new and exciting and really make it a community offering.”

Agricultural bus tours are on the horizon for Freedom Farms.

“We have been doing much building and property maintenance to work towards that goal of hosting agriculture bus tours as one of the stops here in Bourbon County,” she said. “We are signed up for the Big Kansas Road trip in May for anyone wanting to stop by and visit or ask questions.”

“One of the many ways the certified kitchen would be put into use would be to offer on-farm lunch to the bus tour participants,” she said. “We would love to work together with local farms to achieve that goal.”

Currently, Freedom Farm produces and sells eggs, pastured poultry, lamb, and a minimal amount of goat.

Chickens at Freedom Farms. Submitted photos.

“It is a family affair, ” she said. “I do most of the day-to-day chores along with help from our children. My eldest daughter has started her own lamb herd and another daughter is in the beginning stages of growing her goat herd. Gary oversees the planning and marketing and is involved every day after work hours. Everyone is involved at many different levels and we hope to employ others as we grow.”

Lambs at Freedom Farm. Submitted photo.

 

Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee March 10 at Ellis Arts Center

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Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee and 30th Annual
Bourbon County Fine Arts Exhibit
Hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council
Thursday, March 10th, 8am
Coffee and Exhibit Location:
Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center
on the campus of Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton St.
Arts Exhibit:
Thursday, March 10th & Friday, March 11th from Noon to 7pm
Saturday, March 12th from 9am to 1pm
Artist Reception:
March 10th from 6pm to 8pm
Community is especially welcomed at the Artist Reception!
Categories include Best of Show 2D and 3D, Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Arts, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil and Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Watercolor.
Like the Bourbon County Arts Council’s Facebook page here.
Bourbon County, Schools

Raffle to Benefit Uniontown High School Seniors

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Uniontown High School Senior Parents are selling raffle tickets for three different items.

There will be a beef raffle where five winners will be drawn.

Each winner will receive 25 pounds of ground beef.

There will also be one winner drawn for a quilt and another winner for a tailgate bench.

Tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5.

Winners will be drawn on March 27.

You do not have to be present to win.

Proceeds benefit the UHS Send-Off-Senior Event.

Tickets are available from UHS senior parents or you can text or call (620) 704-4248.

Bourbon County, Business

Lassoed Memories Opens New Studio:Grand Opening March 12

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Lassoed Memories-Erica George Photography is located at 116 S. Main. Submitted photo.
Erika George, 26, owner of Lassoed Memories – Erika George Photography has opened a new studio in downtown Fort Scott.
Erica George. Submitted photo.
She started her business in 2016 and provides portraits, family photos, headshots, children, newborns, boudoir, Western lifestyle, and weddings photo sessions.
She chose the new location for her business, at 116 S. Main because of the ambiance.
Lassoed Memories-Erica George Photography is located at 116 S. Main Submitted photo.
“It is the old Common Ground Coffee Company and the old Hound Nutrition location,” she said. “I loved all of the different walls and aspects of the building. There is lots of room for different types of sessions within the area.”
George will be hosting a  grand opening at the studio on March 12 from 2-4:30 p.m.
As a part of her grand opening, she will be offering $30 mini-sessions, local vendor shopping booths, and giveaways, she said.
“I love to connect with other people and capture memories that they can hold onto forever,” she said. “I especially love kid’s sessions and to interact with all of the different ages! I meet all different types of people and get to interact with all ages through many steps of life and love every minute of it!”

To contact George,  phone: 620-381-4783  her Facebook page: Erika George Photography  or by  email: [email protected]

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Meeting Minutes of March 2

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

March 2, 2022

  1. Welcome: Billie Jo welcomed ten members representing eleven agencies. She shared that applications for the 2022 Family Swim Pass program would be available at Buck Run and Beacon within the next week. She also noted that the Coalition Board was seeking a volunteer to fill the board position left open by Nancy Van Etten’s resignation.
  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Michelle Stevenson sent word to the group that FSECP was thriving and growing; she now has ten pre-natal clients participating. She continues to accept referrals to her programs.
  • Sandy Haggard, RSVP, announced that she had just received word that her grant had been extended for three additional years; her grant goals continue to be focused on food distribution and opioid cessation; she is also looking into partnerships with area museums as a place for seniors to volunteer.
  • Sandy also updated the group on the Recovery House in Iola, SEK Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition project spearheaded by April Jackson.
  • Christine Abbott, SEK Works, reminded members that she has funds available to help 16-24 year old young adults with GED funding, work experience, etc.; there are public computers available for use at the Fort Scott office.
  • David Gillen, Beacon, noted that they were gearing up for an inspection from the food bank organization; he also invited members to come view the new concrete drive on the west side of the Beacon building.
  • Allen Schellack, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army, mentioned that he is able to help with emergency lodging, taxi passes, etc. He also has heaters, bedding, towels available.
  • Hannah Geneva, SEK Multi-County Health Department, shared that the department had received a generous donation of diapers from the Nazarene Church. They had also received a Tiller grant that allows them to provide birth control for uninsured women. Hannah also reminded members that Holly Fritter continues to hold “Mommy and Me” classes on the third Thursday of each month.
  • Gabby Gier, CHC, 620-223-8015, is partnering with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to work on tobacco cessation in Bourbon County. Gabby will present our May program to give details.
  • Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority, does have vacancies for two bedroom apartments; there is a waiting list for other units. If members have clients who might qualify for the KERA program, Patty is willing to help with those applications.
  • Tonya Cliffman, Evergy, shared that LIEAP applications can be found at Evergy.com; deadline for applications is March 31.
  1. Program: Tanya Cliffman with Warming Hearts. Warming Hearts was organized by a group of caring individuals who have a heart for the homeless community. Through research and word of mouth, they were able to secure initial funding, gain permission from the City Commission, and build and place one “pod.” The group’s goal was to keep the homeless person off the ground, dry, and out of the weather. Although they were not able to place a homeless person this winter, they have learned about the obstacles and are working to eliminate those obstacles in order to grow the program.
  1. Open Forum: Nothing further was discussed; Billie Jo reminded members to sign the attendance sheet.
  1. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be April 6, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. The program will be presented by Josh McCloud, Donor Relations and Community Outreach Coordinator, Comm