Category Archives: Government

Fort Scott, Government

Diane Clay Retires as City Clerk On Oct. 1

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Diane Clark, Fort Scott City Clerk, sits at her desk at city hall.

Diane Clay’s first job with the City of Fort Scott was as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt in March 1998.

Her last day on the job is October 1, 2022.

“I have been employed for 24 years…with the City of Fort Scott,” she said.  “I have been City Clerk 23 of those years.”

For many, Clay was the first contact with the city that citizens had.

And for this reporter, she was always helpful and timely in her responses to questions.

The best part of the job for Clay has been helping citizens and working for the city commissioners, she said.

No job is without challenges, and for her,  “Changes are a challenge and there has been lots of them.”

Indeed, there have been five new city managers in the last two years, and a high turnover rate of city commissioners.

Clay said her duties as city clerk included:

  • All licensing – Cereal Malt Beverage, Drinking Establishment – Liquor Stores – Electrician – Plumbers – Trash – Fireworks – Golf Cart – UTV
  • Preparing city commission agenda packets
  • Taking and transcribing minutes from all meetings as well as 12 advisory board meetings.
  • Keeping the city website up to date
  • Posting all street closings/notices on Facebook and city website
  • Plus many, many more

Besides the city clerk, Clay has been the Municipal Court Clerk for the city, whose duties include:

  • Attending court and taking accurate recordings of the court sessions.
  • Inputing actions into the city’s software
  • Keeping accurate accounting of payments made on cases
  • Preparing a court docket twice monthly
  • Preparing reporting statements to the State of Kansas

Clay became a Certified Municipal Clerk in November 2003 and a Master Municipal Clerk in June 2008, through Wichita State University.

In 2018, Clay was named Outstanding Court Clerk for the State of Kansas.

Plans for retirement?

“Travel and relax!” she said.  “My husband and I have a daughter and son-in-law and a precious 4-year-old grandson that live in Joplin Missouri.  We will spend more time with them I’m sure.”

In addition to her family, Clay has been a constant at her church.

” I have taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Tabernacle for 49 years!” she said.  “I have sung in the choir for probably 49 years also, and been very involved in the church and will continue to do so.”

Lisa Lewis will assume the Fort Scott City Clerk position on Oct.1 and has been training for the job from Clay for three months.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

WIC Program Starts Oct. 5 at Bo Co Health Department

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Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.

The Bourbon County Health Department (524 S. Lowman, Fort Scott) will be the location where WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program will be held at in Bourbon County from here on out. It is every Wednesday, starting October 5th. If anyone has questions, we’d be happy to help and our number is 223-4464.

We do have flu shots available now as well as the new COVID-19 Bivalent Booster shots.

Submitted by Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer
SEK Multi-County Health Department

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 27

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: September 27, 2022
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Delwin Mumbower – Burn Ban Update
• Bill Martin – Fuel Request – Road & Bridge
• Clifton Beth – Benefits Committee
• Ashley Shelton – SEK Area Agency on Aging – Board Opening
o Gas Price Lock In
• Jim Harris – 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
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
o Budget Documents
o Years of Service Recognition– Donald Gene Bailey
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Tiana McElroy – County Attorney Position
• Public 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.

Years of Service Recognition

Bill Martin – Fuel Request

Bank Rec for August 31, 2022

Annual Budget

Fort Scott, Government

Zellner Resigns, New Interim Jeff Hancock is Hired as FS City Manager

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Fort Scott City Hall.
Kelley Zellner. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott City Commission has been on “a little rocky road,” new Interim Fort Scott City Manager Jeff Hancock said in a phone interview today.

The rocky road referred to is the  high rate of change in city managers and commissioners over the last few years.

But he sees “a bright future for the city,” he said. “Fort Scott has a lot going for it.”

Zellner Departs

The Fort Scott City Commission met on Sept. 22 to approve the severance agreement for City Manager Kelley Zellner, who resigned  to pursue an employment opportunity in Caney, KS.

Zellner is receiving a payment equal to 30 days pay and accumulated vacation and sick days. The exact amount is still being calculated at the time of publishing this story, according to Hancock.

To view the severance:

DOC092222-09222022141426

Management Partners Consultant Jeff Hancock Signs A Contract for City Manager

Jeff Hancock. Taken from Linkedin.com

On Sept. 20, the City of Fort Scott hired Hancock as interim city manager, and appointed Brad Matkin, current Human Resource Director, to also become assistant city manager. Matkin’s salary was increased to $85,000 annually.

Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Hancock, from Camdenton, Missouri, is a consultant for Management Partners,  and will provide interim city manager services and assist with recruiting a new manager, if desired.

Management Partners will invoice the city $7,000 per month, plus travel expenses and Hancock will be onsite in Fort Scott, 24 hours per week. Hancock will usually work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, according to City Clerk Diane Clay.

“I’ll be on call 24/7, even though I’ll be working in Fort Scott three days a week,” Hancock said.

“Under the city manager form of government, the city manager makes pertinent decisions quickly at times,” Hancock said. “Having a professional (interim city manager) is a protection for Fort Scott.”

“The city commission will use me until it’s the right time,” he said. “I anticipate three to four months. I haven’t had a chance to dialogue with the commission about this yet.”

To view the agreement:

4684001_FortScott,KS_interim_CM_MgtServices_exec_22 09 21

Hancock has previous experience as Fort Scott’s interim city manager, when Dave Martin resigned in October 2020 until the hiring of Jeremy Frazier in February 2021. Frazier resigned in August 2021 and an interim city manager, Mark McCoy, was hired until Zellner was hired in December 2021.

To view prior stories on these events:

Dave Martin Retires As City Manager, Effective Oct. 30, 2020

Former FS City Manager Jeremy Frazier is Given Severance Package

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2023-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Oct. 5. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Government, Kansas

Kansas Water Photo Contest & Student Research Poster Submissions Being Accepted

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Photos and Student Posters Featured at Water Conference

 

Kansas is home to an abundance of beautiful natural resources, and Kansans are encouraged to capture the most vital of these: water. The Kansas Water Office (KWO) is accepting photos to be featured in conjunction with the 2022 Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas in November. The photos need to pertain to water or water use in Kansas. Examples include all bodies of water, irrigation, agriculture, recreation and fun, or other water infrastructure.

 

The top winning photo from each category will be featured at the 2022 Governor’s Water Conference. The winners also be featured in several of the KWO publications throughout the year. October 28 is the deadline to submit photos at [email protected].

 

Student research will also continue to be a feature during the conference. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts on their water-related research to be presented as posters. Any research that involves water quantity, quality or water education is eligible and cash awards are available. The submission deadline is November 2.

 

For more information about both contests as well as tentative conference agenda and speakers, please select Governor’s Water Conference at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section. Conference registration is required.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Preschool Screening on October 7

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DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
September 23, 2022

USD 234 Preschool Screenings

USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of 5 years on October 7 ,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech./communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.


Appointnents may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott
Preschool Center,223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The deadline for scheduling an appointment is September 30, 2022.

The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identifr children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission: Special Meeting To Approve Severance Agreement with Zellner

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  This meeting will be held to approve the severance agreement for Kelley Zellner.

 

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel.  This meeting is open to the public.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Meets in Special Session Today at 5 p.m.

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  The City Commission is expected to recess into Executive Session.  The meeting is open to the public, but the Executive Session is not.

 

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel.  This meeting is open to the public.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Hits 10 Straight Months of Record-Low Unemployment

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TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly celebrated that for the past ten months, Kansas’ unemployment rate has been below 2.9% — the previous historic low last reached in August 1978. For each of those months, Kansas’ unemployment rate was over a full percentage point below the nation’s unemployment rate.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas has the 8th lowest unemployment rate in the country.

“We have been tireless about prioritizing job creation, business investment, and workforce development – and it’s clear our efforts are paying off,” said Governor Kelly. “For ten straight months, Kansas has far outstripped the nation as a whole when it comes to ensuring people have the high-quality employment they need to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.”

This month, Governor Kelly announced that Kansas has surpassed 50,000 jobs created and retained since the start of her administration.

Kansas began keeping records of monthly unemployment rates in January 1976.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

Sept 19, 2022

Even though the Legislature is not in session, there have been some interim committee meetings and several people have asked that I write an update.

COVID Money

Last week, a Legislative Post-Audit (LPA) report on federal COVID-19 money distributions and spending was presented.  Kansas governments (state, counties, cities, schools…) received over $34 billion of the $5.2 trillion from six major federal COVID relief programs in 2020 and 2021.  The $34 billion doesn’t include federal money sent directly to Kansas non-profits, businesses, and individuals through other programs, like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Keep in mind state spending in 2014 (before the two massive tax increases that I did not support) was under $6 billion State General Funds and $15 billion All Funds.  In 2022 it is estimated to be $8.5 billion and $22.3 billion, so the federal government dumped more money on Kansas governments than the state spends in one year.  With the federal government handing out this amount of money it is no wonder we are experiencing inflation.

Out of the $34 billion, LPA reviewed a sampling of 78 CARES Act purchases, projects, and grants totaling just under $18 million.  Approximately $4.3 million of the $18 million reviewed had possible issues and a portion “appeared to be wasteful or of concern”.  “For example, one county spent almost $225,000 to add showers to a community emergency shelter… [another community] spent $20,000 to help put on a local festival… another county spent funds on donuts, pastries, and coffee for meetings”.  The report is posted online at https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/covid-relief-funding-distribution/.  Such waste in the $18 million makes one question how much of the $34 billion was wasted?  And what the total waste was of the trillions of dollars given away by the federal government?

Unemployment Fraud

The Unemployment Council also met to review an independent audit.  The audit estimated over $400 million was paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims and over 200 security vulnerabilities were found within the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) unemployment system.  The $400 million is a considerable drop from estimates of over $700 million presented by LPA earlier this year.  Neither number is good news.  To put it into perspective, our neighbors to the west, Colorado with a population of almost double Kansas, reported $73 million in fraudulent payments.

On a positive note, many property taxpayers will not see as high of increases because of the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) transparency.  Several counties and other local governments, including a school district in Leavenworth County, chose not to increase property taxes this year.

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

Caryn