Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Input for American Rescue Plan Sought

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SPARK Requests Input from Kansans for American Rescue Plan Investment Ideas

TOPEKA – The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee is inviting Kansans to share their investment ideas for the allocation of federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to Kansas through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of March 2021.

“This money offers the opportunity to make strategic investments that will have long-term positive impacts on our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “It is vital to the recovery efforts that we have input from Kansans across the state – everyone should have a seat at the table.”

This provides a chance for Kansans to make their voice heard as we rebuild our economy and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The SPARK Executive Committee oversees the development of recommendations for the distribution of ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF), assisted by the four SPARK Advisory Panels: Health & Education, Economic Revitalization, Connectivity, and Efficiency & Modernization. The SPARK Executive Committee then presents recommendations to the State Finance Council to distribute the SFRF allocated to the State of Kansas.

The online submission form for proposing a SPARK investment idea is available here. Currently, SPARK is requesting proposals for program-level investments. The four Advisory Panels may consider these submissions as part of the process to determine investment priorities and make recommendations to the SPARK Executive Committee. Advisory Panels will begin meeting in the coming weeks.

“This is a historic opportunity for Kansans to have direct input in how these funds are utilized to benefit our state long term,” Senate President Masterson said. “I look forward to reviewing the investments ideas that our citizens submit and working with the Advisory Panels to identify the investments that will best position our state moving forward.”

In making decisions, SPARK will adhere to the following guiding principles:

  • Prioritize sustainable programs & investments through one-time use of funds vs. substantial expansion of existing services
  • Combine with / leverage local and agency funds to maximize use of discretionary funds
  • Foster long-term systemic impact for Kansans
  • Consider equitable opportunities and outcomes
  • Enable flexibility within investment strategies
  • Ensure results are measurable to enable tracking & transparency

“The SPARK Executive Committee heard many great investment ideas from the citizens of Kansas at our regional meetings across the state,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman said. “The investment ideas submitted through this form will allow SPARK to further engage with the citizens of Kansas while determining investment priorities.”

Interested parties are instructed to complete the submission form in its entirety. The submission period will close on February 16, 2022.

Once submitted, investment ideas will be available for review by Advisory Panel members. By submitting an investment idea, interested parties acknowledge that SPARK staff may follow up with them for additional details. Submission does not guarantee assignment to or further consideration by an Advisory Panel and that additional information will not be reviewed unless requested.

Interested parties are also encouraged to familiarize themselves on allowable uses of SFRF. An overview of the Treasury Department’s Final Rule summarizing eligibility provisions for using SFRF can be found here, while the entire Final Rule is available here. Please note that not all investment ideas will fit within the allowable uses of SFRF.

An FAQ document on the submission form is available here. If there are any questions on completing the submission form, please contact [email protected].

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Jan. 31

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 31, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM.

MEETING STARTS AT 8:30AM.

Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Permits
• Real Property Relief Application Review
• Approval of Township & Cemetery Board’s Annual Report
• Discussion Regarding Sick Leave
• County Counselor Comments
• Commissioner Comments
The three commissioners will be attending a public meeting at 9:45am at the Medical Building, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, with Noble Health. Even though all 3 commissioners will be in attendance no county business will be conducted.

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.

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Special Meeting Jan. 27, 5 p.m.

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There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 27th, 2022. This meeting will be held to consider the execution and delivery of an agreement to release and assign the City’s Opioid claims to the Kansas Attorney General.

This meeting will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room and will be broadcast on the City’s you tube channel.

Government

Highlights of 2021: USDA Rural Development Kansas

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USDA Rural Development Kansas Highlights Its Year of Accomplishments in Jobs, Business Opportunities, Education, Health Care and Housing for Rural Kansans

TOPEKA, Jan. 26, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kansas, Under Acting State Director Dan Fischer, today highlighted the year’s accomplishments in helping rural Kansas residents and businesses access housing, health care, economic developement and other essential services.

“USDA Rural Development Kansas has had a very successful year helping rural residents through our housing, community and business programs,” Fischer said. “When rural Kansas has access to clean water, affordable homes, and good jobs, all of Kansas is more likely to succeed.”

Rural Development Kansas awarded more than $292 million in loans, grants and loan guarantees in Fiscal Year 2021. This includes $209 million for the purchase of homes by low-income individuals and families, nearly $51 million to improve water and waste disposal systems, and nearly $28 million to improve community facilities and access to essential services.

Rural Development offers many programs to assist rural communities and their residents. For example:

  • Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants This program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.

  • Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

  • Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans This program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. Follow us on Twitter at @RurDev_Kansas.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

City and County Combine Tourism

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Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

In a continuing effort by Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott leadership to combine services, the city’s tourism department will come under the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

Jackson Tough, the City of Fort Scott’s Tourism Director moved his office into the Bourbon County REDI office at Landmark Bank today.

Jackson Tough. Submitted photo.

“The city commission voted, this month, to move their tourism (department) over to Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.,” Rob Harrington, REDI director said. “Jackson Tough will remain a city employee.”

 

Landmark Bank, 200 S. Main,  Fort Scott. From its Facebook page.

Funding Is From Bed Tax

The city’s tourism department is funded through a Transient Guest Tax, Harrington said. “Any money left from the transient guest tax, after the administrative stuff, payroll, FICA, and any incumbrances…will come to REDI for marketing.”

The transient guest tax, commonly known as the “bed tax,” is imposed by a city or county on transient guests of hotels, motels, and tourist courts, according to 2006-022 | 9/1/2006 | Kansas Attorney General Opinion (washburnlaw.edu) The purpose of the tax is to provide revenue “to promote tourism and conventions.”

“Convention and tourism promotion,” is defined as follows, according to the website:

“‘Convention and tourism promotion’ means: (1) Activities to attract visitors into the community through marketing efforts, including advertising, directed to at least one of the five basic convention and tourism market segments consisting of group tours, pleasure travelers, association meetings and conventions, trade shows and corporate meetings and travel; and (2) support of those activities and organizations which encourage increased lodging facility occupancy.”

The guest tax has been in force in Fort Scott since Jan. 1, 2014 and is 6 percent, according to Transient Guest Tax Rates and Filers (ksrevenue.gov)

 

REDI To Provide Oversight

“I’ll oversee the funds to see they are being used appropriately, for what they are supposed to be,” Harrington said.

“Tourism will be under REDI jurisdiction, we’ll be responsible for tourism marketing,” he said. ”

“We are trying to not duplicate services at the county and city levels,” he said. “Just because it doesn’t affect local taxpayers, it does have an effect on tax funds collected from the transient guest tax, which should be efficiently spent.”
Combined Services

The city and county officials have been working together in economic development, finance management, and human resource services, in recent years, to share resources. Tourism will now be a shared service.

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

I-70 Closed Due to Winter Weather Conditions

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I-70 now closed at Goodland

The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed westbound I-70 at Goodland because of winter weather conditions in Colorado. Motorists traveling west are advised to use alternate routes or delay travel if possible.

Additional closures may be necessary if conditions worsen. Please follow Northwest Kansas KDOT on Facebook (www.facebookcom/nwkansaskdot) or Twitter (@NWKansasKDOT) for updates.

For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, visit www.kandrive.org, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
Government, Kansas

Celebrate Kansas Birthday Jan. 29

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Kansas Tourism Invites Everyone to Help Celebrate Kansas’ Birthday

~Kansas Day is Saturday, January 29, 2022~

TOPEKA– Kansas Day is this Saturday, January 29, and Kansas Tourism is inviting everyone to help celebrate our state’s 161st birthday. This annual commemoration of Kansas’ statehood is designed to help us reflect on our state’s history while highlighting the things that make Kansas special. Kansas Tourism is proud to elevate the holiday with new appreciation and pride for our state.

“Kansans are famously humble people—it’s not in our nature to boast,” said Bridgette Jobe, Kansas Director of Tourism. “But this Kansas Day, we are shouting from the rooftops our love for our beautiful, unique, exciting and welcoming state. We invite all Kansans and those who love Kansas to join in our celebration.”

There are several ways to get in on the statewide social tribute. Details can be found in the Kansas Day toolkit at TravelKS.com/KansasDay.

To participate:

First, on January 29, make your own special salute to the Sunflower State on your social media channels. Make sure to use the ‘To the Stars’ format and #ToTheStarsKS as outlined in the toolkit.

Second, Kansas Tourism is premiering a new video tribute for Kansas Day 2022. Make sure you are following Kansas Tourism on social media to watch and share the new video. Surprises are in store for those that engage with and share the video! A lucky few participants may win a ‘To the Stars’ Gear Giveaway. Stay tuned to the Kansas Tourism social channels for more information.

Third, print out a Kansas Day poster to hang in your business window, classroom, office, or community announcement board to share the Kansas Day excitement. The free poster download is available in the toolkit.

Finally, get your official Kansas Tourism ‘To the Stars’ gear at TravelKS.com to show your Kansas pride year-round. A new limited-edition series featuring a custom Kansas inspired design by Hutchinson artist Brady Scott is now available.

Additional information and educational resources can also be found on the Kansas Day toolkit.

Follow Kansas Tourism on social media. 

​​https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS

https://www.instagram.com/kansastourism/

https://twitter.com/travelks

The mission of the Kansas Tourism Division is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages the states travel website TravelKS.com, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education, and support. The ‘To the Stars’ marketing campaign developed by Kansas Tourism honors the states motto of Ad Astra Per Aspera.

Government, Kansas

KDHE Announces Dr. Joan Duwve as Acting State Health Officer

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Acting Secretary Janet Stanek today announced Joan Duwve, M.D., MPH, as the new Acting State Health Officer. Duwve previously served as the Deputy State Health Officer.

“Joan has served Kansans since 2020, providing valuable input on the COVID-19 response,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “Her time at KDHE coupled with her extensive history as a physician and public health official makes her the best choice for this role.

Duwve joined KDHE in Nov. 2020 to lead the COVID-19 Unified Testing Strategy before moving into the Deputy State Health Officer position in July 2021. Prior to her roles at KDHE, Duwve spent 12 years in various public health leadership roles in South Carolina and Indiana. While at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control, Duwve worked to elevate the health equity program and hire a director of diversity, equity and inclusion. She also spent 11 years practicing as a family medicine physician.

“I’m grateful to Secretary Stanek for selecting me for this role within KDHE,” Joan Duwve, M.D., said. “The importance of public health has become increasingly evident over the past couple of years as we have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m looking forward to working alongside state and local public health officials and stakeholders as we continue to work together to protect and improve the health of all Kansans.”

Duwve completed her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University. She also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the Ohio State University. She has served on the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Board of Scientific Counselors, a National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine Evaluation Committee and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Board of Directors and Infectious Diseases Policy Committee.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for Bourbon County Commission, Jan. 25

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Agenda for Bourbon County Commission,1stFloor, County Courthouse210 S. National AvenueFort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00 Date: January 25, 2022

1stDistrict-Lynne Oharah _______________

2ndDistrict-JimHarris: _______________________

3rdDistrict-Clifton Beth

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

Call to Order

•Flag Salute

•Approval of Minutes from previous meeting

•Eric Bailey –Road and Bridge Report

•Approval of Township & Cemetery Board’s Annual Report

•Discussion of Meeting @ Medical Building on 1/31/22

•Discussion of Kansas Association of Counties Meeting in the Fall

•County Counselor Comment

•Susan Bancroft, Finance DirectorComment

Executive Session –KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

•Public Comment

•Elected Officials Comment

•CommissionComment