ROLL CALL:
____ Jess Ervin ____ Danea Esslinger ____ Amber Kelly ____ Mary Pemberton ____ Bradley Stewart
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
March 15, 2024
Tax Relief passed the Senate and was sent to the House. All of the bills can be found at www.kslegislature.org. Here are some highlights.
Tax Relief for All Kansans: Property, Sales, and Income tax cuts passed in SB 539 with a bi-partisan vote of 29 to 11. I voted Yes. The bill would cut taxes for every Kansas taxpayer. It will:
Personal Property Taxes would be eliminated on off-road vehicles (including all-terrain vehicle – ATVs), watercraft, golfcarts, motorized bicycles, snowmobiles, and trailers with a gross weight of 15,000 lbs. or less. The KS County Appraisers Association asked me to help eliminate the taxes because it cost more to collect the tax than what is collected. The County Treasurers and Clerks I checked with agreed. Also, constituents had contacted me asking me to help because the taxes on these items are high and the penalties are steep. SB 484 is a win for the taxpayer and the tax collector. It passed 29 to 11.
Property Tax Freeze for Seniors and Disabled Veterans would be expanded in HB 2465 by subtracting SS from the household income, increasing the household income limit to $80,000, and increasing the home valuation to $595,000. Currently, only 50% of SS can be subtracted from the household income and it must be below $53,600 with a home valuation of $350,000 or less. HB 2465 would also open up the filing deadline because most people didn’t know about the program. (They must not be reading my newsletters ) The filing deadline for the property tax freeze is April 15 each year. The form is K-40SVR at Kansas Department of Revenue https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr23.pdf. I worked diligently with other Senators and House Tax Conference Committee members to pass this into law and we are working to expand the program so more people qualify.
Sales Tax Exemption For Disabled Veterans would be a new program for veterans. Any 50% or more disabled veteran would not pay state or local sales tax on personal purchases, excluding vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products. It would have a limit of $24,000 in purchases. KDOR reported that most Kansas families spend about that amount on items that have a sales tax. The original bill was SB 58. The committee voted to create Senate Substitute for HB 2036.
HB 2036, a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, created constitutional questions as stated by lawyers and others. Instead of risking losing the legislation because of questions on constitutionality, it made more sense to expand the existing program that freezes property taxes for seniors and disabled veterans and implement the sales tax program. It will help more disabled veterans, because not all own a home. The state has avoided the question of constitutionality with the property tax freeze program by having all of the property taxes paid and homeowner apply for a rebate.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
There will not be a Commission meeting held on Monday, March 18.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
March 19, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, Dyllon Olson, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance – T. Dancer/Mayor
VII. Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VIII. Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting you wish to address the Commission with your topic. You will be scheduled on the official agenda to speak on that topic.
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
XII. Executive Session
XII. Adjourn
The special meeting of the Bourbon County Commission on Friday, March 15, 2024 has been canceled.
Submitted by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins
March 18, 2024
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,
March 18, 2024. The meeting will be held in the meeting room of Cleaver-Burris Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Review of Programs – Agriculture, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 19,
2024, and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024,
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 9
D. Ratification of Contracts, 30
1. Tri-Valley Shredding Agreement, 30
2. Osawatomie State Hospital Agreement for Clinical Training, 32
E. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 40
A. First Reading of Policies, 40
1. Purchasing
2. Travel Expenses
3. College Vehicle Use
4. Guidelines for Use of FSCC
Facilities
B. Honorary Degree, 45
C. Graduation Ceremony Attendance, 46
ACTION ITEMS, 47
A. Resolution 2024 – 2: Consideration of Sycamore Grove Apartments Lease Agreement, 47
B. Resolution 2024 – 3: Consideration of Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, 48
C. Resolution 2024 – 4: Consideration of Board Meeting Rules of Order Policy, 49
D. Resolution 2024 – 5: Consideration of Employee Tuition Scholarship Policy, 50
E. Resolution 2024 – 6: Consideration of Campus Closings Due to Weather Policy, 51
F. Resolution 2024 – 7: Consideration of Tuition and Fees for 2024-25 Academic Year, 52
G. Resolution 2024 – 8: Consideration of Agreement Between FSCC and IDEA, 571
H. Resolution 2024 – 9: Consideration of Culinary Arts Memorandum of Understanding
Between FSCC and Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, 58
I. Resolution 2024 – 10: Consideration of Amended Lease Agreement between FSCC and the City of Frontenac, 60
REPORTS, 66
A. Higher Learning Commission
B. Gordon Parks Museum
C. Foundation
D. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 74
ADJOURNMENT, 75
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• March 18, 2024 Board Meeting
• April 15, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 20, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 27, 2024 Memorial Day, Campus Closed
• June 17, 2024 Board Meeting
Sincerely,
Bryan Holt, Chair
Jason Kegler, 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
_____ Ronda Bailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – AGRICULTURE4
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 19, 2024
and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024.
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. RATIFICATION OF CONTRACTS
Attached are contracts for amounts less than the threshold required for Board approval.
E. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Separations
a) Cale Griffiths, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
b) Lance Coulter, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
c) Geraldin Alaniz, Iowa MEP, effective February 29, 2024
d) McKinley Ward-LaSalle, Assistant Track/XC Coach, effective February 29, 2024
e) Mary Speyrer, Louisiana MEP, effective February 29, 2024
f) Jolee Carswell, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective March 7, 2024
g) Kristen Havron, Cosmetology Instructor, effective March 8, 2024
h) Celina Moses, Assistant Director to Financial Aid, effective March 20, 2024
i) Jared Keylon, Director of Facilities and Operations, effective March 22,
2024
j) DeeDee Cheney, Athletics Secretary, effective March 31, 2024
2) Transfers
a) Sara Sutton, from Agriculture Instructor/Meats Coach to Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, effective July 1, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bailey Bartelsmeyer Fewins
Holt McKinnis Ropp
To view the entire packet:
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
February 19, 2024
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Doug Ropp
ALSO PRESENT: Jason Kegler-President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, faculty, staff, community members
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm in the meeting rooms of the Ellis Fine Arts Center.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Holt recognized the men’s and women’s track team who took first
and second in the conference respectively, as well as Coach Redrick who was voted men’s coach of the year. The men’s 4×4 team broke the region’s record and will go to Nationals.
Jim Fewins reported past FSCC president Jim Meisner passed away unexpectedly, and his funeral will be at the National Cemetery. More details will be shared when they become available.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Anne Dare asked about migrant education and IDEA at FSCC. Although she said she’s not sure what it is and what it does for FSCC, she is concerned about the balances in those funds as shown on the treasurer’s report. She said she found where IDEA was approved by the Board of Trustees in the
March, 2023. She asked the Board to consider if IDEA is a partnership they want to continue.
REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – VOLLEYBALL: Coach Trisha Hamm and seven volleyball team members introduced themselves. Trisha started as head volleyball coach in the 2022-23 season, improving from 6-22 the first year to 13-16 the second year. The team made it to the playoffs for the first time in three years, hosted their first
tournament in five years, and had a nationally ranked team GPA. The team participated in the welcome back to school at a local elementary school, has served as line judges at high school games, had a Greenbush day, and volunteered at trunk or treat, the spring kids fair, and worked the baseball admissions gate. Coach Hamm said they are always looking for community service opportunities. The team has four returning as sophomores, five committed, two offers are out, and two still to visit and offer, and all but 1 are from Kansas. The group agreed they have created a positive culture in the program. Board members were encouraged to attend games, help with the pancake feed, and help spread the word about their camps.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous vote
to approve the consent agenda.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. First Reading of Policies – As part of a plan to consistently work towards updating Board Policy, the following policy revisions were reviewed for feedback. They will be presented for final approval at the next board meeting.
a. Board Member Conflicts of Interest
b. Board Meeting Rules of Order
c. Employee Tuition Scholarship
d. Campus Closings Due to Weather
B. Five Year Financial Plan – Dr. Kegler reported many have asked what FSCC’s plan is to recover from financial concerns. He said many other presidents in the state have shared their financial plan. The financial plan pages are a framework for moving forward. Amounts will remain blank until the Board goes
through a budget workshop to complete it.
C. 2024 – 25 Academic Year Fees – Dr. Kegler said he hoped to have numbers for fee increases, but is still waiting on a couple of outside entities to get back with FSCC on what things will cost. Dr. Kegler
explained student fees will likely increase $5 and most institutions across the state are increasing tuition and fees $2 and $3 respectively, so across the state institutions are seeing a fee increase of $3 – $5. Dr. Kegler said FSCC is anticipating a $5 fee increase this year and potentially tuition increase next year, as6
well as a housing increase of $100 – $200 depending on what rates Great Western Dining provides. The executive team will continue talking about rates.
D. FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame Guidelines – The Board reviewed the current requirements for admission to FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame. Based on the guidelines currently in place, it appears at least one of the students mentioned in a previous meeting is eligible to be nominated. Steve Anthony reiterated his desire
to help with any part of the process.
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Resolution 2024 – 1: A motion was made by Fewins seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to mapprove an increase in the allowed petty cash amounts from $3,300 to $5,300.
B. Resolution 2024 – 2: A motion was made by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous
vote to table the consideration to terminate the current lease with Sycamore Grove Apartments upon completion of the current agreement’s term. Fewins requested additional figures on students, capacity, and fees, in order to make a decision. Ropp requested new board members be given a tour of the housing
options so the board knows what they’re being asked to consider.
C. Resolution 2024 – 3: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the Bank Signee Resolution.
REPORTS:
• HLC – The HLC Committee has continued meeting every other Tuesday, reviewing what has been done for each criterion since 2020. Dr. Kegler reported a digital copy of the progress will be provided to the Board.
Dr. Kegler added the number of employees going to the HLC Conference has been reduced based on feedback. Dr. Kegler, Sonia Gugnani, and Sara Sutton will attend the conference in April in Chicago.
• GORDON PARKS MUSEUM – The Board reviewed a report provided by the Gordon Parks Museum.
Dr. Kegler added he’s received several compliments on the work that Kirk Sharp is doing.
• FOUNDATION – None
• ADMINISTRATION – The Board reviewed and heard updates from Miami County, Academic Affairs, Finance and Operations, Student Services, and President.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer and carried by unanimous vote to adjourn to executive session for 5 minutes beginning at 8:10 pm for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel as it relates to discussion of identifiable personnel information of non-elected personnel with no action expected to follow. The Board invited Dr. Kegler to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made at 8:16 pm by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by
unanimous vote to return to open session.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
8:16 pm by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.
The Fort Scott Land Bank meeting will be held on Monday, March 18th at 4:00 pm at City Hall.
The Fort Scott Design Review Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19th at 4:00 pm at City Hall
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~Should be considered dangerous~
GARDNER, Kansas. –
Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) resident John Evans Johnson, Jr., has been placed on escape status after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JSDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) facility this afternoon.
Johnson, a 49-year-old white male with green eyes, stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds. He has a shaved head and nine tattoos across his arms, legs, neck, and back.
He was placed on escape status when he did not return to the residential center following two job interviews.
Johnson has been serving a one-year sentence at the Johnson County Work Release Center since August 3, 2023. He was convicted in Wyandotte County for one count of burglary.
Anyone with information on Johnson should call the KDOC’s Enforcement, Apprehension, and Investigations Division (EAI) at 816-266-2102, the JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911. Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected]
The walk-away is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who meet certain criteria can be housed at the ARC to promote their successful reintegration into the community.
A photo of John Evans Johnson, Jr., can be found here.
March 4, 2024 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Bonnie Smith, Steve Fortenberry, Michael Hoyt, Patty Ropp. Clint Walker, Rachel Walker Jason Silvers, Debra Martin, and Brent M. Smith were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.
Chairman Harris read a statement outlining protocols of meetings going forward. Jim stated they want audience participation; however it needs to be polite and professional and the interruptions must be stopped. Jim said if an individual is interrupting, they will receive one warning then a motion will be made to ask the individual to leave.
Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 2-26-24. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Clint Walker said he read an article about the Pittsburg State University skills program who did tuck pointing and masonry work on shelter houses and suggested someone contact them to see if they would be interested in having their students work on the shelters at Elm Creek. Clint also said the road and bridge crews have been hauling gravel and doing a good job.
Thomas Russell stated he is here representing the Bourbon County Republican party and said they looked over resolution 04-24 that was presented by Nelson last month and they agreed to take the phrases “churches and religious organizations” out of the resolution. Thomas presented a revised copy of resolution 04-24 for the Commissioners to review. Jim stated that what he asked Trevor Jacobs to remove has been removed. Jim made a motion to approve resolution 04-24 a declaratory resolution opposing the entry, transportation, employment, and settlement of illegal immigrants in Bourbon County, Kansas. Nelson seconded the motion and Clifton opposed. The motion passed 2-1.
Nelson made a motion to remove healthcare sales tax ballot language from the agenda. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
While waiting on the 6:00 conference call discussion was held with the audience with Thomas Russell commenting that he recently traveled and saw an 8-bed hospital and emergency room and suggested the Commissioners check into something like that. Jim stated that we are working on the healthcare situation and Justin and Clifton are working 24/7.
Jim said he had a friend question the duties of the Chairman, so Jim clarified that he is to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner and does not have any authority over Clifton or Nelson.
Brent Smith spoke about the new facilities being constructed for Saint Martin’s Academy near 120th Street and Hackberry Road and asked if there was something that could be done about the road when the project is complete. Mr. Smith stated the additions of a church, housing, and multiple buildings will cause a lot of traffic on that road.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, spoke about a few topics while waiting on the conference call. Jennifer stated the Clerk’s office is filing homestead claims for residents until April 15.
The Clerk’s office is still working on trying to connect Bourbon County residents with unclaimed property they have sitting at the State Treasurer’s office. Jennifer stated that they have been able to help residents claim over $100,000 of unclaimed property so far.
Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary election will begin on March 11th and run Monday through Friday from 8:30 am -4:30 pm. Early voting will also be available on Saturday, March 16th from 8:00 am -12:00 pm and on Monday, March 18th from 8:30 am-12:00 pm. Residents will be able to vote on Tuesday, March 19th from 7:00 am-7:00 pm at their normal polling place.
Matt Quick, County Appraiser, reminded individuals that they have 30 days to dispute their valuation notices that were sent out. Matt stated that it is a simple process and to contact their office and a time will be scheduled to meet and discuss the property.
Mike Dallman, Property Valuation Division Field Staff Supervisor, called in to review the 2023 Substantial Compliance Report with the Commissioners and Matt Quick. Mike stated the reason for conducting a conference call is it is mandated now per KSA 79-1404(b). Mr. Dallman went over the report outlining each section and explained the weighing process the use for the classifications of residential and commercial properties. Mike stated that the commercial properties are in compliance and the residential properties are only out of compliance by 0.07 of a point. Mike went over the process of sales validations and stated the Property Valuation Division has their own department who performs the validations and the county performs their own sales validations.
Jim and Clifton did not have any comments this evening. Nelson stated he did not understand most of what was discussed during the conference call and stated he doesn’t think most people do.
Nelson questioned what portion of taxes go towards welfare and stated that program is very abused. Nelson said he wants to work to change the situation and not just complain about it and that you have to dig in your heels and figure out a way to change. Nelson also said a prayer during his Commission comment time.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:39. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
3-11-2024 Approved Date
Election Integrity “The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.” Thomas Jefferson
I think that Thomas Jefferson would agree that for us to govern ourselves we must have election integrity. Senate Bill (SB) 365 was debated on the Senate floor. The bill would have required all ballots to be submitted by 7 pm on election day. Not all counties treat ballots the same if the address on the ID doesn’t match a voter’s address. I carried an amendment that would have treated these ballots the same, provisional ballots across the state. Another amendment would have codified in statute removing duplicate registrations. A super majority of Senators agreed this should be law. I also carried an amendment to remove remote ballot drop boxes. It also passed. There were several amendments that went on the bill that would have increased security and accuracy of our elections. However, an amendment that passed raised some concern with a few Senators on federal compliance with Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which requires at least one electronic voting machine at each polling place, so the bill failed to get the constitutional majority of 21 to pass.
There are efforts to bring this legislation that had majority support to the Senate floor again.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
…
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
March 11, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
