Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

Jim Harris Sworn In As County Commissioner

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Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner, District 2.

Bourbon County Commissioner District 2 Jim Harris was sworn in on January 11, 2021.

” I plan on following through with my campaign promises,” Harris said. ” I believe it’s time for the Bourbon County citizens to be heard and for the government to represent the people with respect and provide transparency to our government.”

 

“I believe we have to visit with folks to fully understand what services they want and don’t want,” he said. “We are hoping to have a town hall meeting in March, if we can get warmer weather.”

 

“I would like to continue holding town hall meetings this year to give me the opportunity to visit with folks and to understand their concerns,” he said.

 

He said he enjoyed having a town hall meeting in Gunn Park, but if not perhaps the Empress Event Center, in downtown Fort Scott.

 

“I hope with our town hall meetings, folks will get involved in a positive way,” he said.

 

The commission is collaborating with other entities to provide services.

“We are working with the City of Fort Scott and our health care providers to continue providing long-term health care,” he said.

 

“I am excited that we have a new BEDCO (Bourbon County Ecomonic Development Council) committee with high expectations of moving forward with economic growth. If we can grow and expand our tax base and ensure efficient, responsible spending we can lower our mill levy.”

” We have begun working with the City of Fort Scott with shared services to reduce the cost of operations and to discontinue duplicated services,” Harris said.

 

“Another area of concern is our infrastructure, mainly bridges, that we must continue to fund and make necessary repairs to keep our roads open.  We currently have a ten-year road program and I plan on requesting we put together and ten-year ditching and bridge replacement program with adequate funding.”

 

Since being sworn in, he has one appointment added.

 

“To date I have been appointed as a member of the Lake Advisory Committee,” Harris said.

 

” In closing, I want to express my thanks for the folks that elected me,” he said.  “I will always be accessible and be a humbled servant of the folks that are my boss which is the citizens of Bourbon County.”

 

 

To view his candidate profile from July 2020:

Jim Harris: Candidate For Bourbon County Commission

 

 

Contact info is [email protected] and 620-224-0230.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Susan Bancroft Assumes Duties as Bourbon County Business Manager

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The Bourbon County Courthouse.

In an effort to consolidate some business services in government, a business manager has signed on for the county, in addition to her duties at the City of Fort Scott.

 

Susan Bancroft started January 19, 2021, as the part-time Bourbon County Business Manager.

Susan Bancroft. Submitted photo.

 

She is currently the City of Fort Scott Finance Director.

Fort Scott City Hall.

 

“For many years, the city and county have had interlocal agreements in the area of public safety,” Bancroft said. “This has been a long positive relationship meeting the needs of both city and county residents.”

 

“A couple of years ago a task force was formed and has been researching ways to save taxpayer dollars through shared services between the city and county,” she said.  “Recently, the county commission determined there was a need for a part-time business director and approached the city to see if this could be a shared service opportunity.”

 

 

To view a prior story on the movement to consolidate government services:  https://fortscott.biz/news/bedco

 

 

In order for the relationship to work, Bancroft agreed to work her regular hours with the City of Fort Scott and an additional 20 hours for Bourbon County.

 

 

“My current position is based on a 40-hour workweek so this would be an additional 20 hours per week,” Bancroft said.

 

 

The Bourbon County Business Director will initially be responsible for assisting the commission in the development and analysis of budgets and reporting, human-resource-related issues and policy,  and also accounts payable and receivable for public works, she said. Additionally, she will be the interdepartmental liaison to build relationships and oversight. Additional duties are expected to be added over time.

 

 

Bancroft will be paid $115,000 per year by the city. The county will pay $60,000 to the city for Bancroft’s services, according to the agreement between the two.

 

The memorandum of understanding between the city and county ends Dec. 31, 2021, with possible renewal.

 

To view the agreement between the city and county:

DOC011421-01142021165840

 

 

 

“Some may look at this as additional dollars being spent at the county level,” she said. “However, some of the assigned duties will replace expenses already being incurred by the county through contractual services.”

 

 

 

“In addition, the City of Fort Scott will realize approximately $34,000 in savings due to the partnership,” Bancroft said.

 

 

Bancroft worked for the City of Fort Scott from 2005-2012 as the finance director and spent two of those years as the assistant city manager/finance director.

 

 

From 2012-2015 she worked for USD 234 as the business manager/clerk. In 2015, she took a position with NPC International as their human capital management director until 2019 when she returned to the City of Fort Scott once again, as the finance director.

“HCM  encompasses human resources, benefits, payroll, and compliance,” she said. “NPC employed 40,000 employees at the time of my employment.”

 

 

“The four years I was in the private sector I missed actively serving the community in which I lived,” she said.  “I am excited to use the knowledge I have gained over the past 20 years to evaluate processes, budgets, improve transparency and build relationships between the City and County and its constituents.”

 

 

“I strive to see the glass half full rather than half empty, always looking for opportunities to improve,” she said.  “One of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford is ‘Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.’  I believe the city and county leaders are working towards this collaboration and look forward to many more opportunities to share services to reduce the burden on taxpayers.”

 

 

Bancroft will have offices at both entities.

 

“The (county) commission is currently working on finding a small space for me,” she said.  “I am fortunate to also have the ability to work remotely.”

Government, Kansas

Learn More About Broadband Development In Kansas

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Governor Laura Kelly, Department of Commerce Seek Public Input for Broadband Office Grant Program

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce has established an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Office of Broadband Development’s Broadband Acceleration Grant program and provide input on grant requests proposed for communities across Kansas.

The goal is to gather public input regarding the grant applications and associated service areas in an effort to ensure transparency in the broadband development process. The project proposals and proposed service area maps for each grant application are posted online, along with a public comment form for those wishing to express support or share concerns regarding a project.  These resources will be posted online through Feb. 1.

“Since I took office, my administration has been committed to promoting transparency and accountability in state government – and we want to ensure that Kansans are engaged when it comes to best practices regarding broadband development in our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Connectivity is one of our top priorities, and effectively funding projects across Kansas will be a critical part of this mission. I would encourage any Kansan who wants to participate in this process to send us a comment.”

Service providers are also encouraged to submit comments and corresponding documentation should an area proposed to be served already has service available, construction is underway or planned in areas proposed to be served and will be completed within 12 months. The comments and evidence provided will be considered in the evaluation of the Acceleration Grant applications and determining final investment awards.

“As we go through the process of funding broadband projects across Kansas, we need to hear from you,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “We are committed to transparency in everything we do. These funds are for establishing critical broadband infrastructure across Kansas, and we want input directly from people in our Kansas communities. If you have something to tell us about a proposed project near you, we’re listening.”

Commenters may be asked to provide additional information and/or work with the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) to validate service availability. If a commenter is found to have submitted inaccurate information, comment submissions will be disregarded.

A link to the Public Comment page containing the proposed projects and associated proposed service area maps is available here.

Grant applicants that receive comments for their proposed project during the public comment period will have an opportunity to respond between Feb. 2-9.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

About the Kansas Office of Broadband Development

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development was established in 2020 to help ensure that all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, learn and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, affordable and reliable broadband. The Office is housed within the Community Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Fort Scott, Government

Jeremy Frazier To Begin As Fort Scott City Manager on Feb. 1

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Jeremy Frazier. Submitted photo.

CITY OF FORT SCOTT PRESS RELEASE

On February 1, 2021, Jeremy Frazier will begin his service as City Manager for the City of Fort Scott.

After Interviewing multiple candidates, it was clear that Jeremy was unanimously the top choice for every commissioner.

Jeremy will bring a new vision and new ideas at a much needed time in Fort Scott. Every commissioner is excited to have Jeremy come on board and all of us have committed to give Jeremy the tools and resources he needs to be successful in moving Fort Scott forward.

Jeremy brings to this position over a decade of public sector experience. Mr. Frazier has managed cities of various sizes and demographics. From his first position as Assistant City Manager in a charming tight-knit community with a population of 1,800, to his most recent position as the City Manager of El Reno with a population of nearly 20,000, he has developed a strong passion for public service and economic development. He has led full service organizations of up to 170 employees and has managed budgets up to $58 million.

Mr. Frazier takes pride in his work with City staff and the community such as launching various programs between public safety and its residents; conducting organizational assessments and financial audits to insure financial stability and operational efficiencies; and initiating leadership development strategies for City staff with a focus on customer service excellence.

He is described as a goal-oriented, motivated, and energetic leader with demonstrated experience in building strong relationships in diverse communities. Mr. Frazier’s primary focus in Fort Scott will be to execute the vision and mission of the City Commission and to build upon the City’s strong forward momentum while capitalizing on its rich history and culture.  He plans to concentrate on economic development, job opportunity expansion, business relations, and infrastructure improvement.

In his spare time, Mr. Frazier serves on various committees such as the University of Central Oklahoma’s Master of Public Administration Advisory Committee, whereby he assists the University in shaping its current and future MPA program and students. He is an active volunteer and active participant in various civic organizations such as Lion’s Club. In addition to serving as a member of the City Management Association of Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, in 2020 he was awarded the designation of Accredited City Manager and has served two past terms as a board member of that organization. He is also a past gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Trustees for a local university. Finally, Mr. Frazier served as a past Board of Trustees member for the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, a municipal insurance provider for over 500 cities and towns throughout the state.

Mr. Frazier possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has served on numerous boards and committees as he is committed to the improvement of his community and his profession. Mr. Frazier looks forward to making Fort Scott his home while serving the community and residents.

 

To view the contract with Frazier:

FedEx Scan 2021-01-20_14-12-31

 

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas COVID 19 Vaccine Dashboard

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Governor Kelly Announces Kansas COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly is announcing a new COVID-19 vaccine dashboard in Kansas. A collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the COVID-19 dashboard will be updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 12:30 PM.

As of January 20, Kansas has:

  • Vaccinated 111,905 people,
  • Administered 129,349 total vaccine doses,
  • Distributed 202,225 vaccine doses.

To view the COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, click here.

Government

Senator Marshall Statement on President Biden’s Inaugural Address

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Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s inaugural address. The Senator attended the Inauguration with his wife Laina.

 

“Today, my wife Laina and I joined all Americans to witness the Constitutional transition of power to President Joe Biden,” said Senator Marshall. “It is important that both sides of the political spectrum continue to lower the national temperature and recognize opportunities for common good. I have hope that we can work with the new Administration on behalf of Kansas as we tackle extremely pressing issues facing our nation including: getting the COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of everyone who wants and needs it, boosting job recovery, and opening businesses and our economy back up to the historic levels we saw before the pandemic.”

 

Government, Kansas

Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan: How It Will Affect Rates

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KCC will hold virtual workshop on Wednesday to discuss Evergy’s STP

What:                   The Kansas Corporation Commission will be conducting the third of four virtual workshops designed to learn more about Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan and how it will affect ratepayers.

 

When:                  Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 10 a.m.

 

Where:                 The workshop will be broadcast on the KCC’s YouTube Channel.

Details:                Each workshop will cover a specific topic related to the plan. The subject of Wednesday’s workshop is Enhanced Customer Experience. Evergy representatives will make a presentation followed by questions from Commissioners and intervenors in the general investigation docket. The Commission opened the investigation to evaluate whether the STP is in the public interest.

 

The general investigation docket is available on the KCC’s website at:

https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kscc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=5bf302bc-3a8c-4bd9-8652-fd3e63161bc5

 

Food, Government, Kansas

Food Safety Webinar Offered

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KDA Offers Food Safety Webinar Series in 2021

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety and lodging program will offer monthly online webinars on food safety issues beginning Monday, January 25, 2021. The free webinar series will cover a variety of food safety issues that are of interest to food business operators, managers and workers.

 

Each 30-minute webinar will consist of a presentation by food safety and lodging inspectors from across the state, followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions of the presenters and other KDA-FSL staff. These webinars are an outreach of the Food Protection Task Force, which serves to expand the knowledge base of the food and feed industry in Kansas. The FPTF creates connections and relationships which foster collaboration when developing materials and strategies for intervention, prevention and response to foodborne illness.

 

The first six months of the webinar series have been scheduled. Each presentation will take place at 3:00 p.m. CST.

 

January 25      Remote Food Safety Inspections During COVID-19

February 22    Choosing the Right Practice: Cooling and Reheating of Foods

March 29        Food Safety on the Go: Food Trucks, Trailers, Tents and Carts

April 26          Staying Ahead of the Game: What Food Service Managers Need to Know

May 24           Dealing With Pests in a Food Establishment

June 28           Limiting the Spread of Germs: How Employees Can Make a Difference

 

Registration for the January and February online webinars is now open. Register on the KDA Food Protection Task Force page at www.agriculture.ks.gov/FPTF. There is no cost to participate, but you must register to receive the login access information.

For more information about the webinar series or about food safety in Kansas, contact the KDA food safety and lodging program at 785-564-6767 or [email protected].

 

This webinar series serves to support KDA’s mission, which includes a commitment to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth and helping to ensure a safe food supply, promoting public health and safety, and providing consumer protection.

 

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Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Special Meeting Jan. 19

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet and recess into Executive Session to discuss non-elected personnel.

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

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 15, 2021

 

The 2021 session began with state legislators taking an oath Monday, January 11, 2021 to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas Constitution.  This happens every four years in the senate and two years in the house.  It is a reminder of our duty and the foundation in which our forefathers established and defended.

 

This session is already unique because of the pandemic.  However, it is not unique because of the political games and posturing being played in Topeka – which are disappointing and not what Kansans need or deserve.  The gamesmanship and politics surfaced quickly, when legislators opposing bills cried foul at the pace, in an attempt to block legislation.  Most people understand we need to complete our work as expeditiously as possible.

 

Property Tax Transparency, Senate Bill (SB) 13, was available the week before session, as was the Senate Tax Committee schedule.  This legislation was contained in last year’s bill CCR HB 2702, that passed both chambers with a supermajority.  However, it did not became law because a taxpayer funded government lobbyist asked the Governor to veto the bill and she did.  It was at the end of session and time ran out for a veto override.  It makes sense to work the legislation at the beginning of the 2021 session, which gives plenty of time for passage.  Hopefully, we may not need a veto override because the Governor may realize how important transparency is to Kansas taxpayers.

 

SB13 has four major parts.  First, it would establish a process in the property tax system so that property taxes would not automatically increase but would require a vote of the local government to bring in more money than the previous year.  This would stop the shell game of automatic valuation increases resulting in more taxes owed; second, normal maintenance would not increase the valuation of a property; third, county treasurers would have an option to establish payment plans for property taxes; and fourth, it would remove the property tax lid that has resulted in tax increases in many counties over the past few years.  The bill passed the Senate 34 to 1.  I voted Yes.

 

Emergency Power Extension, SB 14, would extend the Governor’s emergency powers thru March 31, 2021.  Kansas is a part-time legislature and has often turned over legislative authority to the Governor in an emergency.  This pandemic has demonstrated that is dangerous.  The Governor attempted to shutdown churches on Easter weekend, demanded a statewide shutdown of many businesses, attempted to implement a statewide mask mandate, and the list goes on.  However, the bill passed the Senate 34 to 1.  As with most legislation, there was some good items in the bill.  It was not enough to sway me to support the bill after hearing your concerns of government overreach.  During debate, one senator tried to kill the bill and said we shouldn’t let federal money sway us from doing what is right.  I guess that senator lost their intestinal fortitude because when it came time to vote, that person chose not to vote yes or no on the bill.

 

As we face uncertain times, keep in mind Plato’s words, “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others”  and the words of Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream,  It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same.”

 

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

Caryn

Government, Kansas

Kansas Capital Complex Closes Jan. 19-20

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Governor Laura Kelly to Close Capitol Complex, Administration Buildings Tuesday and Wednesday

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced the State Office Buildings in the Capitol Complex, which includes Curtis, Landon, and Eisenhower, will be closed starting tomorrow, January 19, and Wednesday, January 20. Additional administration buildings will also be closed.

“The safety and wellbeing of our employees is my top priority,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These steps are taken out of an abundance of caution – and I thank all employees for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Employees are instructed to work remotely. If an employee’s regular duties require them to be in the office – and they cannot work from home – they are instructed not to report to work Tuesday, January 19 or Wednesday, January 20.

Governor Kelly encourages agency heads with offices in the immediate surrounding area beyond the State Office Buildings to follow similar procedure.

The Statehouse will be open for individuals having business with the Legislature, Governor’s or Lt. Governor’s Offices. All Statehouse access will be through the Visitor Center entrance only.