Category Archives: Government

2023 Kansas State of the State Address

 

~~Governor Kelly Calls on Kansas Legislators to “Meet Her In the Middle” to Continue State’s Success~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly tonight delivered her 2023 State of the State Address during a joint session of the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives.

To see the transcript of the address:

 

The video stream, provided by Smokey Hills PBS, is available at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoJWERxZt0I.

Amended Agenda for FS City Commission This Evening

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING
OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET

JANUARY 24, 2023
6:00 P.M.

I. Roll Call:

J. Jones T. Van Hoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells

II. Flag Salute:

III. Invocation: Led by: T. VanHoecke

IV. Approve Amended Agenda:

1) Consideration of CMB License on Premises for Aunt Toadies / Consent Agenda – 1411 E. Wall;

2) Bid Total Included for Consideration – Memorial Hall Steps Restoration / New Business;

3) Removal of Grant Consideration for ERS Systems / New Business – Dave Bruner.
V. Consent Agenda:

A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 10, 2023.

B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1328-A totaling $1,010,092.41

C. Request to Pay – HDR – $13,328.46

D. Request to Pay – Baker Tilly – $7,898.91 – Fees for December 2022 –
Interim Management Services – City Manager and Lodging Fees.

E. AMS – $516,498.33 – first ½ of sludge removal at Wastewater Plant

F. Marbery Concrete – $33,720.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam work

G. AG Engineering – $2,000.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam engineering

H. Tyler Technologies – $53,925.19 – Yearly software service

I. Nuss and Farmer – $8,000 (December and January fees)

J. BBCO Redi – $5,100 (December and January fees)

K. Hawkins Inc. – $11,431.78 Water Treatment chemicals

L. Kansas 911 Council – $36,600 (call handling phone package for dispatch)

M. KMIT – $82,535 (Workman’s Comp Insurance, yearly)

N. Consideration for CMB License on Premises – Aunt Toadies – 1411 Wall St

VI. Public Comment:
(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five
(5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

VII. Old Business:

A. Update on Costs to Move Existing Docks at Lake Fort Scott – Doug

B. Dave’s Demolition retracted bid awarded for 523 S. Heylman (BID #48-

2022). Consideration to go out for bids again.

C. Consideration to go out for demolition bids on 1107 W. 6 th St.

D. Update on Brick Street Policy – Tabled to 1/24/23 meeting, Bob Farmer
to Review.
1. Update by Bob Farmer – requested by Commission

2. Traffic Counts – M. Wells

3. Brick Specifications – J. Dickman

E. Update on Splash Pad location before the Commission votes.

1. Photo of Location – J. Jones

VIII. Appearances: Justin Pergont to address the Commission regarding the
Van Fossen Apartment Project.
IX. Public Hearing: None

X. New Business:

A. Consideration of Crosswalk and Signage to be painted on the alley road way
exiting onto Wall St. from the Common Ground drive through. – Presented by Thomas Russell and Jennifer LaRoche
B. Consideration to Increase Airport Hangar Rates – Seth Simpson

C. Consideration of Cost for Lake Fort Scott Boat Ramp – $2,740.00 (Not to
Exceed $3,500.00)
D. Consideration to go out for bid for Gunn Park RV Bathroom Renovation

E. Consideration to go out for bid on Fort Scott Pavilion

F. Consideration of advertising for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for US-54 City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP) seeking qualified consulting firms for pre-construction engineering and project management.
G. Consideration of Memorial Hall Steps Restoration Bid – award winner
One (1) complete bid received, opened 1/24/2023 at 2:00PM at City Hall with Earles Engineering present with the City Clerk – $147,426.49
XII. Reports and Comments:

A. Interim City Manager Comments:

B. Engineering Comments:

C. Commissioners Comments:

J. Jones –

T. VanHoecke –

E. Woellhof –

K. Harrington –

M. Wells –

D. City Attorney Comments:

XIII. Executive Session If requested, (please follow script in all motions for
Executive Sessions)

XIV. Adjournment:

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

Hosting SpaceX in Kansas
It was great to host SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell in Kansas this week. During the visit, we toured local manufacturers including MAX Aerostructures, Accurus Aerospace and Spirit AeroSystems. The Greater Wichita Partnership also hosted a lunch reception at Wichita’s historic B-29 Hangar for local manufacturers, academia and community leaders to meet with SpaceX. Thank you to the more than 200 Kansans for attending and to Jeff Fluhr and his team at GWP for hosting the reception.

It was inspiring to hear SpaceX tell me that Kansans are outworking, outperforming and beating all their expectations.

You can watch a video recap of SpaceX’s visit to Kansas here.

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My focus has been to bring space leaders, rocket manufacturers and NASA leaders to Kansas so they can witness firsthand the incredible work Kansans are doing each and every day to support the aviation and aerospace industry. We are the Air Capital of the World, and that involves commercial and general aviation, but there are many new opportunities to expand into space and defense manufacturing. If we want to maintain our status as a hub for flight, aviation and aerospace, we need to partner with businesses and industries who are leading the way in space and defense and diversify our manufacturing in Kansas. This will help provide better jobs and more opportunities for Kansans.

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Thank you to Gwynne and her SpaceX team for visiting the Air Capital of the World and thank you to the many Kansans who helped make their visit a success.

You can read more about SpaceX President Shotwell’s visit from KAKE here.
Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

Resource Adequacy Workshops Coming

Kansas Corporation Commission announces workshop series on resource adequacy

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission has scheduled a series of informational workshops to discuss the topic of resource adequacy.

As renewable energy resources continue to grow nationwide and aging gas, coal and nuclear facilities are being retired, careful planning is required to ensure adequate energy generation and reliability in the event of extreme weather events. As part of this inquiry, the Commission recognizes the physical attributes of various generation options must be taken into consideration. These considerations include the intermittency of renewable resources, fuel availability and cost for thermal generation, and outage rates for all generation types.

KCC Utilities Director, Jeff McClanahan addressed these considerations in speaking before the Kansas House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications committee at the Capitol last week.

“How far can you go with renewable generation given the need for reliability? Given the variability within renewable generation, you can’t always count on it. For example, there is just not as much wind in the winter. You need dispatchable generation out there to balance it all out until we get to long term, longer duration battery storage or other technology that can provide that,” said McClanahan.

Each workshop will feature experts on resource adequacy sharing information and answering questions from KCC Commissioners and staff.

The current workshop schedule appears below with additional dates to be added:

January 25          9 – 11 a.m.                           Black and Veatch

February 8          10 a.m. – 12 p.m.             Midwest Reliability Organization

February 24        9 – 11 a.m.                           Southwest Power Pool                          

The workshops will be held via zoom and broadcast on the KCC’s You Tube channel.

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Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

January 20, 2023

 

Property Tax Relief  Just a reminder from my update last week about tax relief programs passed by the legislature last year that the applications are now available.  The link for the application for property tax relief for low income seniors and disabled veterans is posted at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf and the application for some property tax relief for businesses shut-down or negatively impacted by the Governor’s shutdown during COVID is at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront You may also call KDOR at 785-368-8222 or e-mail [email protected] with questions about the programs and applications.

Kansas Department of Revenue || COVID Property Tax Assistance

www.kdor.ks.gov

Official Website of the Kansas Department of Revenue

 

Sales Tax Holiday on School Supplies  The Senate Tax Committee held hearings to establish one weekend in the year that “school supply” purchases could be exempt from state sales tax.  Years ago, myself and others worked on this legislation.  As a result, Fort Scott created a local sales tax holiday and have been doing so for over 10 years.  Many Kansans go to Missouri and Oklahoma to make these purchases.  It would not only help families with students, all persons purchasing the supplies on the defined weekend would qualify for the exemption if the bill becomes law as written.

 

Income Tax Savings , We passed a law last year allowing a workaround from a federal tax law that capped State and Local Tax (SALT) itemized deductions at $10,000, and our law provided a path for Kansans to take these deductions on approximately $130 million dollars.  Basically, it saved Kansans on their federal tax returns while not impacting the amount of state or local taxes collected. It was reported to the Senate Tax Committee that some members of the U.S. Congress are trying to remove the $10,000 cap, but until it is removed there is still a workaround in Kansas.

 

Government Picking Winners and Losers  In Senate Commerce Committee and the Joint Post Audit Committee there were presentations on big business tax incentive programs.  Twenty-eight companies were selected to respond to questions, such as “would you have proceeded with their project as planned, even without the incentive?”  Of the respondents, 11 (37%) said they would have preceded with the project – the incentives did not affect their business decision.  Instead of government picking ‘winners and losers’, we should try to level the playing field and lower taxes for all, making Kansas a competitive market for business and individuals to be successful.  The full report can be found at:

https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-department-of-commerces-major-economic-development-incentive-programs/

The information will be presented to the Senate Tax Committee Tuesday, January 24.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 24

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: January 24, 2023

1st DistrictNelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd DistrictJim Harris Corrected: _______________________

3rd DistrictClifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County ClerkAshley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM

Call to Order

Flag Salute

Approval of Minutes

Approval for Accounts Payable

Eric Bailey Road & Bridge Report

Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer

Shane Walker Chief Operating Officer

Justin Meeks County Counselor

Bill Martin Discussion of Investigation by County Attorney

Public Comment

Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

KSA 754319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

KSA 754319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorneyclient relationship

KSA 754319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employeremployee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

KSA 754319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

KSA 754319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

KSA 754319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

City of Fort Scott Meetings For Next Week

MEETINGS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK:

 

LAND BANK BOARD MEETING: The Land Bank Board will meeting Monday, January 23rd at 4:00 PM at City Hall.

 

CITY COMMISSION MEETING: The City Commission will meet on Tuesday, January 24th at 6:00 PM at City Hall.

 

PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: The Parks Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, January 26th at 4:00 PM at City Hall.

 

LAKE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: The Lake Advisory Board will meet on Saturday, January 28th at 9:00 AM at City Hall.

 

All the meetings listed are open to the public and can be viewed on The City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.

 

FSCC Board of Trustees Minutes of Dec. 12

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
December 12, 2022

PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Jim Fewins, Kirk Hart, Bryan Holt, and Robert Nelson

ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff

Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall meeting rooms. The
meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Bartelsmeyer shared wishes for a safe break, and thanked all employees. He said he is proud of them and what they do for the college.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.

CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and approved by unanimous vote to add two items for Action/Discussion:

1) Consideration of Sublease Agreement between SEK-CTEC and FSCC and
2) Consideration of Donation of Items to the Legacy Group.


A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the consent agenda.


ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

A. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to appoint Tom Havron as the Title IX Coordinator.

B. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the Sublease Agreement between SEK-CTEC and FSCC.

C. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the donation to the Legacy Group of items that will be identified by John Bartelsmeyer and Luke Demko. Any other Board member who wishes to participate shall contact Bartelsmeyer. No more than 3 members can
participate in order to maintain compliance with KOMA statutes.


REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard updates from Workforce Development, Instruction, Student Services, Finance and Operations, Student Affairs, Athletics, and the President.

Brian saw a graphic on facebook about FSCC’s economic impact on the community. The graphic came from last year’s annual report, and more info like that will continue to be shared.

Alysia addressed ERP challenges. FSCC is one of 12 schools in the nation that uses our current system.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
6:28 p.m. by Fewins, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote.

FSCC Board of Trustees Agenda For Jan. 23

January 23, 2023
Board of Trustees

Fort Scott Community College

2108 S. Horton

Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
January 23, 2023. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott
Community College.

5:00 p.m. Dinner in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall, followed by regular board meeting at
approximately 5:30 p.m.

THE AGENDA

5:00 DINNER

5:30 ROLL CALL, 3

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER, 4

A. Comments from the Chair, 4

B. Comments from the Public, 4

CONSENT AGENDA, 5

A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 12,
2022, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 7
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 52
A. Approval of 2023-24 Academic Calendars, 52
B. Consideration of Heavy Equipment Simulators Purchase, 55
ITEMS FOR REVIEW, 58
A. Correspondence for Review, 58
REPORTS, 60
A. Administrative Updates, 60
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 73
ADJOURNMENT, 74
1

UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
January 23, 2023: Board Meeting

February 20, 2023: Board Meeting

March 13 – 17, 2023: Spring Break, Campus Closed

March 20, 2023: Board Meeting

March 24, 2023: Aggie Day

April 7, 2023: Good Friday, Campus Closed

April 17, 2023: Board Meeting

May 13, 2023: Graduation

May 15, 2023: Board Meeting

June 19, 2023: Board Meeting

Sincerely,

John Bartelsmeyer, Chair

Alysia Johnston, President

FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a
central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective
processes; and developing the region’s workforce.
2

ROLL CALL
_____ John Bartelsmeyer

_____ Jim Fewins

_____ Dave Elliott

_____ Kirk Hart

_____ Bryan Holt

_____ Robert Nelson
3

CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 12, 2022.

C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS

Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.

D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS

1) Separations

a) Abbey Schwab, Admissions Representative, effective January 13, 2023

b) Chelsea Goff, Assistant Cheer/Dance Coach, effective January 15, 2023

c) Tommy Myers, CTEC Director, effective January 20, 2023

E. APPROVAL OF GORDON PARKS BOARD MEMBER ACTIONS

1) Additions

a) Destry Brown, effective January 9, 2023

2) Separations

a) Elouise Young, effective December 31, 2022

F. APPROVAL OF INSTITUTE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT
(IDEA) BOARD MEMBERS

1) Additions

a) Alysia Johnston

b) Dave Elliott

c) Juley McDaniel

d) Cindy Bartelsmeyer

e) John Farrell

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.


BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____

DISCUSSION:

VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins

Hart Holt Nelson
5

To view the full packet:

 

Agenda For Fort Scott City Commission on Jan. 24

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING
OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET

JANUARY 24, 2023
6:00 P.M.

I. Roll Call:

J. Jones T. Van Hoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells

II. Flag Salute:

III. Invocation: Led by: T. VanHoecke

V. Consent Agenda:

A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 10, 2023.

B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1328-A totaling $1,010,092.41

C. Request to Pay – HDR – $13,328.46

D. Request to Pay – Baker Tilly – $7,898.91 – Fees for December 2022 –
Interim Management Services – City Manager and Lodging Fees.

E. AMS – $516,498.33 – first ½ of sludge removal at Wastewater Plant

F. Marbery Concrete – $33,720.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam work

G. AG Engineering – $2,000.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam engineering

H. Tyler Technologies – $53,925.19 – Yearly software service

I. Nuss and Farmer – $8,000 (December and January fees)

J. BBCO Redi – $5,100 (December and January fees)

K. Hawkins Inc. – $11,431.78 Water Treatment chemicals

L. Kansas 911 Council – $36,600 (call handling phone package for dispatch)

M. KMIT – $82,535 (Workman’s Comp Insurance, yearly)

VI. Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five
(5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

VII. Old Business:
A. Update on Costs to Move Existing Docks at Lake Fort Scott – Doug

B. Dave’s Demolition retracted bid awarded for 523 S. Heylman (BID #48-

2022). Consideration to go out for bids again.

C. Consideration to go out for demolition bids on 1107 W. 6 th St.

D. Update on Brick Street Policy – Tabled to 1/24/23 meeting, Bob Farmer

to Review.

1. Update by Bob Farmer – requested by Commission

2. Traffic Counts – M. Wells

3. Brick Specifications – J. Dickman

E. Update on Splash Pad location before the Commission votes.

1. Photo of Location – J. Jones

VIII. Appearances: Justin Pergont to address the Commission regarding the
Van Fossen Apartment Project.
IX. Public Hearing: None

X. New Business:

A. Consideration of Crosswalk and Signage to be painted on the alley road way
exiting onto Wall St. from the Common Ground drive through. – Presented by Thomas Russell and Jennifer LaRoche
B. Consideration to Increase Airport Hangar Rates – Seth Simpson

C. Consideration of AFG Grant – $80,000.00 (95%-5% Split) – Dave Bruner

D. Consideration of Cost for Lake Fort Scott Boat Ramp – $2,740.00 (Not to

Exceed $3,500.00)

E. Consideration to go out for bid for Gunn Park RV Bathroom Renovation

F. Consideration to go out for bid on Fort Scott Pavilion

G. Consideration of advertising for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for US-54 City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP) seeking qualified consulting firms for pre-construction engineering and project management.

H. Consideration of Memorial Hall Steps Restoration Bid – award winner

XII. Reports and Comments:
A. Interim City Manager Comments:

B. Engineering Comments:

C. Commissioners Comments:

J. Jones –

T. VanHoecke –

E. Woellhof –

K. Harrington –

M. Wells –

D. City Attorney Comments:

XIII. Executive Session If requested, (please follow script in all motions for
Executive Sessions)

XIV. Adjournment:

Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission for Jan. 10

CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting

1

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of January 10th, 2023
Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 10 th,
2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S.
Main Street
, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:

Commissioners J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke, M. Wells, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor K. Harrington.

FLAG SALUTE AND
INVOCATION: M. Wells, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Jeff Hancock, Brad Matkin, Interim City Manager, Travis Shelton, Police Chief, Dave Bruner, Fire Chief, Jason Dickman, City Engineer, Ben Hart, Interim Finance Director, Bob Farmer, City Attorney, Kevin Allen and Michael Clancy.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: J. Jones motioned to approve the January 10th, 2023, amended agenda. J. Hancock asked if J. Jones wanted to remove Item I from the Consent Agenda. J. Jones amended his motion to approve the January 10th, 2023, amended agenda excluding Item I on the Consent Agenda: Resolution No. 2-2023 – Designating the Official Depositories for the Public Funds of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE JANUARY 10TH , 2023, AMENDED AGENDA EXCLUDING ITEM I. RESOLUTION NO. 2-2023 DESIGNATING THE OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR THE PUBLIC FUNDS OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

CONSENT AGENDA:

A.
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 20, 2022.
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1327-A totaling $519,425.14

C. Request to Pay – BakerTilly – $9,775.78 – Jeff Hancock – Services and

Expenses for November 2022, Expenses for October 2022.

D. Request to Pay – BakerTilly – $5,104.04 –- Interim Financial Management

for November 2022.

E. Request to Pay – EPEC – $459,666.73

1. Cell 1 Aeration Upgrade – $424,088.60 – 65% of Total

2. Baffle Curtain – $35,578.13 – Installation

Continue reading Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission for Jan. 10

Caryn Tyson Newsletter Jan. 19

And they’re off!  The Kansas Legislature 2023 session began 1/9/23 with new House members and new Senators taking an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas Constitution.  It is a good reminder for us all.

Committee Work:  Kansas operates on a two-year bill cycle.  Bills that did not become law last year died and so we start over in odd years.  There have been several bill introductions which include those I requested, such as removing state income tax on Social Security and increasing standard deductions based on inflation (much like the federal income tax code).  This session appears to be lining up to help the people of Kansas.

Property Tax Relief:  During the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law.  One change is a first step in a property tax freeze for low income seniors and disabled veterans.  There are restrictions on property taxes in the KS Constitution and so the program is a rebate program administered by the KS D:epartment of Revenue (KDOR).

Applications for property tax relief can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf.  To qualify for the ‘freeze’ a household annual income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000.  A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled.  Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze.  Applications must be submitted by April 18, 2023.  The legislature will take another look at the program this year to allow more seniors to qualify.

Another property tax cut was a slight decrease for all homeowners on the K-12 20 mil obligation.  That reduction increases every year based on inflation.  There is no application required for this reduction.

To help small storefront businesses shutdown or negatively impacted by the Governor’s shutdown during COVID, the legislature established a program to provide some property tax relief.  Details of the program can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf.  Applications can be found by going to the KDOR website www.ksrevenue.gov and scrolling down to the application link Kansas Department of Revenue Home Page www.ksrevenue.gov Official Website of the Kansas Department of Revenue (https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront).

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn