The Bourbon County Republicans will meet THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 at 6 PM at the EMPRESS EVENT CENTER, 7 N MAIN, FT SCOTT.
Submitted by Deb Martin, Correspondence Secretary
The Bourbon County Republicans will meet THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 at 6 PM at the EMPRESS EVENT CENTER, 7 N MAIN, FT SCOTT.
Submitted by Deb Martin, Correspondence Secretary

Next Tuesday, June 1, is the last day for candidates to file for the upcoming Bourbon County elections. The deadline is noon.
“We have the paperwork for anyone wanting to file,” Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk said.
As of May 25, the following have filed to run:
For the Fort Scott City Commission – Matthew Wells and Michael Hoyt.
For the Bronson City Council – Clearsia Botts.
For Uniontown Mayor – Bill Marlow.
For Redfield Mayor – Wilma K. Graham.
For Redfield City Council – Kirby Martin and Michael Beerbower.
For Mapleton Mayor – Ronald B. Burton Jr.
For Mapleton City Council – Mike Blevins and Homer Wisdom.
For USD 234 Position #4 – David Stewart
For USD 235 Position #6 – Tyler J. Martin
For FSCC Board of Trustees- John Bartelsmeyer and Bill Meyer.
The following is information for the 2021 Bourbon County Election and the positions up for election supplied by the county clerk.
All the filing deadlines, for each entity, is noon June 1st, 2021.
The filing location is the Bourbon County Clerk office, 210 S. National, Fort Scott.
The General Election will be on November 2, 2021.
In the city of Fort Scott, there are three city commission members, two of which are for four-year terms and one for two years. The filing fee is $20 or petition signed by not less than 25 qualified electors of Fort Scott and state filing fee of $50.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Up for election in Bronson is the mayor position and two council members, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Bronson for Bronson.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for Council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Those positions up for election in Fulton are the mayor and five council members, all four-year terms.
The filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 5 qualified electors of Fulton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 15 qualified candidates file for council then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Uniontown and Redfield the positions of mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 20 (10%) of qualified electors of Uniontown for Uniontown.
A petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Redfield for Redfield.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Mapleton, the mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 2 qualified electors of Mapleton for Mapleton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on
For the Southwind Extension District, there are 2 positions, both for four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20.
For the Fort Scott School District, there are three positions, all for four-year terms.
The filing fee is $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #234 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For the Uniontown School District, there are three positions, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #235 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Fort Scott Community College there are three positions, all four-year terms. The filing fee is $20.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Any person wishing to file for any office must be a qualified elector of the corresponding city or school district.
If filing by petition, the petition must be turned in within 180 days after the first signature was collected, but no later than noon on June 1st, 2021.
The terms of three members of the Fort Scott City Commission will expire in January 2022. Individuals interested in becoming a candidate for the Fort Scott City Commission election are asked to contact the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office located in the Bourbon County Courthouse at 210 S. National in Fort Scott, Kansas, or by phone at 620-223-3800. The deadline to file as a candidate is 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021.
Qualified candidates must be registered voters and residents of the City of Fort Scott at the time of the election. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. If more than nine (9) qualified candidates file, a Primary will be needed and it will be held on August 3rd, 2021.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected].
https://www.bourboncountyks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Final-Unofficial-Results-3-2-21-Election.pdf

Fort Scott residents have the opportunity to vote on a proposed .5% sales tax for the City of Fort Scott on Tuesday, March 2.
The tax would go towards streets, parks, and community facilities improvements, which has been a call from the citizens of Fort Scott.
A history of the tax proposal
In 2010, Fort Scott residents passed a .5% sales tax for improvements to Buck Run Community Center and the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. This sales tax was for 10 years and set to expire June 30, 2021, according to a press release from Susan Bancroft, Fort Scott’s Finance Director.
“In December of 2020, Fort Scott City Commission voted to petition for the continuation of the 0.5% sales tax for a different dedicated purpose for five years set to expire June 30, 2026,” she said. “The city commission voted unanimously that 90% of the proposed .5% sales tax would go to streets and 10% to parks and community facilities. Based on the past five-year average, the .5% sales tax has the potential to raise on average $698,000 per year.”
“The .5% sales tax is not an additional tax, it is the renewal of a prior .5% sale tax,” Bancroft said. “The difference of proposing a sales tax versus a property tax for the community is that those visiting from other communities are contributing to the improvements of our local infrastructure.”
“The 90% dedicated to street improvements includes sidewalks, bike lanes, and curb and gutter work,” she said. “The street advisory board and the public works director have been working to develop a five-year plan of potential street improvements and have preliminary plans in place.”
“The 10% dedicated to parks and community facilities include improvements such as ADA compliance, public bathroom facilities, playground equipment, trails, and memorial hall preservation,” Bancroft said.
“The parks advisory board has also met with the public works director to begin a five-year plan of potential projects and reported to the city commission at their work session on February 23, 2021, priorities they feel need to be addressed,” she said. “Year one they have proposed repairs to shelter houses and bathrooms in Gunn Park and repairs to the playground fall area at Nelson Park. Year two priority recommendations include an additional bathroom between shelter house 6 and 7 and further upgrades to the campground in Gunn Park.”
“During the election in November of 2020, the citizens passed a countywide 1% sales tax for Bourbon County,” Bancroft said. “The city commission committed to using 90% of the funds generated from this sales tax to be dedicated to the operations and maintenance of the street department. The remaining 10% would be used for the general purposes of the city. Collectively, the revenue generated from two sales tax initiatives would generate enough funding to put together a sustainable street program.”
In the election question of shall charter ordinance No. 31 take effect, the no’s have it.
A CHARTER ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF K.S.A. 12-631p RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF SEWER AND STORM SEWER RESERVE FUNDS had 396 no votes to 139 yes votes.
See the Bourbon County Clerks report on the election here:
Jan 5, 2021 Special City Election Unofficial Results
To see a prior story on the ordinance:

The Fort Scott City Commission is discussing a charter ordinance that will be voted on in a special election on Jan. 5, 2021.
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet at 6 p.m. today, Monday, December 21, in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, to discuss Charter Ordinance No. 31 and in addition, some insurance issues: Supplemental Extended Reporting Law Enforcement Liability, Public Officials Liability, and Employee Benefits Liability coverage for the city, according to a city press release.
This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the city’s YouTube channel.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DcVf4t2fxjdKCwa0Ufzjw
“Early in the year, Commissioner Pete Allen pointed out that past administrations had been illegally making transfers to the General Fund based on City Ordinance 2842 adopted in 1982,” Bancroft said.
Bancroft followed up during a regular commission meeting agreeing that the local ordinance essentially states all funds ‘shall’ stay in the sewer fund. Research done also showed that transfers from the sewer fund to the general fund had been made dating back to 1980 according to audited financial statements, she said.
“Prior to 1978, the City of Fort Scott had a combined ‘water and sewage system’ under K.S.A. 12-856,” Bancroft said. “Ordinary Home Rule Ordinance 2692 of May 1978 separated these systems and created various utility funds for each utility. The city now has separate funds for water, sewer, and stormwater.”
“Precedence of the law is as follows: 1. the Federal Constitution and laws, 2.the Kansas Constitution, including valid charter ordinances, 3. state statutes, and 4. local ordinances and laws,” she said.
Bancroft gives a history of the precedence:
“In 1973, K.S.A. 12-631p passed which governs sewer reserve funds,” Bancroft said. “The statute allows cities to deposit funds in a reserve fund or funds for ‘construction, reconstruction, expansion, operation and maintenance’ of municipal sewer systems. The statute also allows transfers from these reserve funds back to the originating fund. K.S.A. 12-852d amended in 1977 give certain powers to cities that own waterworks. Cities may use monies ‘derived from the sale and consumption of water’ for the purposes set out in K.S.A. 12-825d. Sewer monies are derived from the sale and consumption of water. The statute later also allows the governing body ‘in judgment’ to authorize transfers to other funds. K.S.A. 12-631p gave all cities powers and limitations and later K.S.A. 12-852d allows governing bodies additional power.”
“In 1982, the city passed ordinance 2842 that conflicts with K.S.A. 12-825d,” she said. “Because this is an ordinary home rule ordinance, not a charter ordinance, the favor would be given to K.S.A. 12-825d. Because the current state law is in conflict as well as our own ordinary ordinance, charter ordinance 31 was presented to make the language clear, giving the governing body the ability ‘in judgment’, to authorize transfers.”
“During the August 18, 2020 commission meeting, the commission voted 4-1 to approve Charter Ordinance 31 which would allow for transfers to other funds,” Bancroft said. “A petition was filed on October 5th with the County Clerk to call an election so that the voters can decide whether the ordinance shall take effect. The commission had 30 days (November 5th) to decide whether to have an election or rescind the ordinance. The commission chose to move forward with the election. The election is required to be held within 90 days of October 5th and is scheduled for January 5, 2021.”
The following are questions that Bancroft answered regarding the ordinance:
“Why was Charter Ordinance 31 presented?
- “Currently, the governing body has the cash available to transfer $200-400K each year into the sewer reserve fund. The ability to sell wastewater to a commercial industry allows the utility to generate additional revenue on top of regular service fees.
- “Over time as the utility improves infrastructure, systems will improve and should become more efficient and reduce operational costs which will keep rates stable and possibly generate excess funds.
- “No transfers are scheduled in the sewer fund for 2020 or 2021 with the budget changes presented to the commission on October 20, 2020. These changes required a 10-13% reduction in the general fund budget across all departments which results in $300,000 less to operate. The budget is tight, and any emergency or annual inflation costs could affect quality of life amenities or public safety services.
- “”The funds being transferred are not property tax dollars but could prevent a property tax increase.
- “Charter Ordinance 31 was an option presented to allow the governing body the ability to make financial decisions when appropriate or during times of need. Good financial practice would be to limit the amount of funds that can be transferred and noted in the governing body’s financial policies. The suggested maximum amount of transfer would be 5% of gross revenues which is similar to normal utility franchise fees for the use of right of way and street oversight, maintenance, street cuts etc.
- “The movement of funds allows for reimbursement of costs incurred when the utility is making infrastructure changes in the cities right of way. Furthermore, it covers the cost of permitting, inspections, equipment, and material for the utility cuts made and legal fees.
- “Transfers are an accounting mechanism to improve efficiencies in all departments to not have to track each detailed expenditure supported by General Fund departments.
How is the city ensuring sewer infrastructure is being addressed?
“City administration continues to develop plans on how, when, and where to rehabilitate the city’s sewer system. Inspections of the condition of the city’s sewer infrastructure, rating the condition, and then mapping these findings through GIS will ensure customers that plans are developed methodically. In addition, through a five-year capital plan, the utility resources will be managed prudently.
Are city sewer rates sufficient to support the failing infrastructure?
“City administration will be seeking governing body approval in 2021 to pursue a professional rate analysis to see if any changes are needed to the current declining rate structure.”
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: November 12, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
10:00 Election Canvass

Hello this is Trevor Jacobs your 4th District Representative. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for my family and I, thank you for encouraging us, and supporting us in this election season.

The following is provided by the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.
These are the results of the township votes, along with the retaining of judges. Also at the bottom of the report are the sales tax question numbers.
Township Trustee DRYWOOD
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Richard Cullison Jr. (REP). . . . . 205
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4
Township Trustee FREEDOM
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Janice Seested (REP). . . . . . . 221
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Township Trustee FRANKLIN
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Tony Bradbury (REP) . . . . . . . 145
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4
Township Trustee MARION
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Steve Geiger (REP) . . . . . . . 478
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Township Trustee MILLCREEK
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Yvonne Beck (REP). . . . . . . . 242
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Township Trustee MARMATON
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
David Duffey (REP) . . . . . . . 326
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Township Trustee OSAGE
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Brian Wade (DEM) . . . . . . . . 137
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 9
Township Trustee PAWNEE
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Karen A. Endicott-Coyan (REP). . . . 148
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4
Township Trustee SCOTT
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Jim Sackett (REP). . . . . . . . 1,051
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 13
Township Trustee TIMBERHILL
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Dan Laughlin (REP) . . . . . . . 105
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
Township Trustee WALNUT
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 100.00 1 0 0 0
Township Treasurer DRYWOOD
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 35
Township Treasurer FREEDOM
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Karen A. Paddock (REP) . . . . . . 215
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Township Treasurer FRANKLIN
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 17
Township Treasurer MARION
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Rex Wilson (REP) . . . . . . . . 488
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
Township Treasurer MILLCREEK
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Betty L. Graham (DEM) . . . . . . 197
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 6 2
Township Treasurer MARMATON
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Wilma K. Graham (DEM) . . . . . . 253
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 25
Township Treasurer OSAGE
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Kathleen Valentine (REP) . . . . . 177
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 1\
Township Treasurer PAWNEE
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Sharon Middleton (DEM) . . . . . . 121
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 9 6
Township Treasurer SCOTT
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Harold Rogers (REP) . . . . . . . 1,061
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 6
Township Treasurer TIMBERHILL
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
David Scharenberg (REP). . . . . . 106
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
Township Treasurer WALNUT
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 100.00 2 0 0 0
ROSEN
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,589
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,071
WARNER
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,029
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,654
BRUNS
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,186
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,441
ATCHESON
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,541
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,064
BURGER
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,594
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,006
GARDNER
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,146
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,412
JOHNSON
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,408
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,317
WARD
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,435
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,491
MONTGOMERY
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,036
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,439
LEBLANC
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,244
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,540
SALES TAX
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,333
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,934

Bourbon County residents said yes to the sales tax continuance on Nov. 3, 2020.
SALES TAX
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,333
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,934
Republicans won the night in Bourbon County.
Provided by the Bourbon County Clerk’s office:
2020 GENERAL ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
NOVEMBER 3, 2020
RUN DATE:11/03/20 09:27 PM REPORT-EL45A PAGE 001
TOTAL VOTES % ELECTION DAY EARLY VOTE PROVISIONAL ADV.GRP 3&4
PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 20) . . . . . 20
REGISTERED VOTERS – TOTAL . . . . . 11,943
BALLOTS CAST – TOTAL. . . . . . . 6,579
VOTER TURNOUT – TOTAL . . . . . . 55.09
Presidential Electors For President
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Biden and Harris (DEM) . . . . . . 1,504
Jorgensen and Cohen (LIB) . . . . . 110
Trump and Pence (REP) . . . . . . 4,906
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 25 .38 13 12 0 0
United States Senate
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Barbara Bollier (DEM) . . . . . . 1,653
Jason Buckley (LIB) . . . . . . . 311
Roger Marshall (REP). . . . . . . 4,516
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7
United States House of Representativ
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Michelle De La Isla (DEM) . . . . . 1,456
Robert Garrard (LIB). . . . . . . 281
Jake LaTurner (REP) . . . . . . . 4,727
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 8
Kansas Senate, 13th District DISTRICT 13
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Richard Hilderbrand (REP) . . . . . 2,978
Nancy J. Ingle (DEM). . . . . . . 1,213
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 6
Kansas Senate, 12th District DISTRICT 12
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Mike Bruner (DEM). . . . . . . . 417
Caryn Tyson (REP). . . . . . . . 1,793
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7
Kansas House of Representatives, 2nd DISTRICT 2
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Kenneth Collins (REP) . . . . . . 466
Lynn D. Grant (DEM) . . . . . . . 94
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2
Kansas House of Representatives, 4th DISTRICT 4
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Trevor Jacobs (REP) . . . . . . . 4,149
Bill Meyer (DEM) . . . . . . . . 1,717
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3
County Commissioner DISTRICT 2
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Jim Harris (REP) . . . . . . . . 2,292
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 98
County Commissioner DISTRICT 3
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Clifton Beth (REP) . . . . . . . 1,268
Phillip G. Hoyt (DEM) . . . . . . 391
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 6 .
County Clerk
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Kendell Dawn Mason (REP) . . . . . 4,977
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1,123
County Treasurer
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Patty Love (REP) . . . . . . . . 5,889
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 130
County Register of Deeds
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Lora Holdridge (REP). . . . . . . 5,881
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 59
County Attorney
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Jacqie Spradling (REP) . . . . . . 5,596
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 105
County Sheriff
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ) 1
Mike Feagins (DEM) . . . . . . . 2,043
Bill Martin (REP). . . . . . . . 4,338
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 65