Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
WORK SESSION MEETING
June 03, 2024
5:30 P.M.
NEWS RELEASE
The Board of Education of Unified School District 234, Fort Scott, Kansas, met for a work session at their offices at 424 S. Main at 5:30 p.m.
The Board collaborated with Administration on the vision, mission, & values of the USD 234 school district.
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart
Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal Prosecutor
Designate official bank and newspaper
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
Copier Maintenance Agreement renewal – increase $25
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Kelly –
Councilwoman Pemberton –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
Pickleball court project –
Warehouse refurbishing –
Streets –
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
The Special Council Meeting on May 23, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:30PM
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:57PM
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:20PM
Johnson called in at 6:58PM. Open meeting resumed at 7:20PM.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to reject offer to negotiate terms of employment offer and rescind original offer of employment
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:22PM
The Special Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:17PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Betty Hartman, Delci Allen, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants for non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:29PM
Betty Hartman in at 6:30PM, out at 6:43 PM.
Delci Allen in at 6:56PM, out at 7:15PM
Open meeting resumed at 7:29PM.
Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Delci Allen to fill City Clerk positon, a full-time position eligible for all full-time benefits as stated in the Employee Policy Manual, to start on May 28, 2024
Moved by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:30PM
Regular Council Meeting
The Regular Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Don George (KDWPT, Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Don George, KDWPT, presented a check for CFAP grant reimbursement for Phase II Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project. He asked if the City had any new projects in mind for the pond and explained the lack of funding for the CFAP lease program. Lease payments will no longer be paid starting in 2025. CFAP-1forms still need to be submitted for 2024 but not at all beginning in 2025.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Due to an issue with the new software, bank reconciliation has not yet been completed; therefore, there were no financial reports presented.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to amend Consent Agenda, remove Treasurer’s Report
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve amended Consent Agenda:
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich reported the fence on south side of lagoon down due to flooding. Clerk Johnson has contacted Bourbon County Emergency Management about the PA meeting for the declared disaster. She will followup with them as there have also been reports of flooding in buildings and ditches/culverts overflowing during the disaster event. Trail drainage work on southeast corner of trail is washing out to ditch on north side of 1st St inhibiting water flow. Clerk Johnson will contact school about this. Also reported that Rogers & Son has begun the work on filling in the scales. He had to move the fuel tank. He couldn’t get enough clearance to move very far. Pemberton and Stewart will check into equipment to move to a new location.
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan discussed various projects in progress around town. He also discussed various locations with nuisance violations. He will try to make personal contact with property owners/tenants before sending letters or posting “Mow Your Yard” signage.
Clerk Johnson informed the Council the storm siren maintenance agreement renewal increased 216%. Council directed to solicit quotes from other electrical companies also.
Kansas Health and Environment Labs will begin moving into their new location in January 2025. Nothing required of us at this time.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20PM
Open meeting resumed at 9:20PM.
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Colby Herring as custodian/water sampler
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – tornado shelters were not timely unlocked. Mayor Jurgensen has talked to new fire chief about this and will request a copy of chain of command for sounding siren and unlocking doors and also ask for a point of contact.
Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – items for painting court have been acquired, just waiting on weather.
Warehouse project – Specs for the refurbishment of the warehouse was discussed in depth. Resolution No 2024-0514-1 to sell 402 Sherman and allocate funds from sale to offset costs to refurbish warehouse into public works space.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2024-0514-1 a resolution to sell city property and to allocate the proceeds from sale of city property for refurbishment of public works building
NEW BUSINESS
Streets – Mayor Jurgensen has spoken with Bettis again to remind him of the warranty work needed on work they completed last year. He also discussed information on the KDOT Cost Share program.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:53PM
ABILENE — Governor Laura Kelly today joined veterans of World War II, the Eisenhower Foundation, and local, state, and federal leaders at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to observe the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“As we commemorate the 80 years since D-Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who bravely fought in World War II,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “General Eisenhower’s leadership and expertise were invaluable in carrying out this successful operation, which laid the foundation for the peace he championed throughout his lifetime. May we never forget the sacrifices and stories of those who served.”
The D-Day operation brought together land, air, and sea armed forces on the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Under the leadership of Kansan and then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the operation resulted in France’s liberation and the Allied forces’ subsequent victory.
“Today, we honor those who served and those who gave their all to end the last World War,” said Meredith Sleichter, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Foundation. “As one of the first organizations formed to honor World War II veterans, the Eisenhower Foundation is honored to hold this event alongside the global commemoration of D-Day. We do this to ensure we do not forget the sacrifices made to ensure the freedoms we still hold dear today.”
The Eisenhower Foundation was formed in 1945 to honor President Eisenhower through programs and events that celebrate his legacy. The D-Day remembrance ceremony included a wreath-laying and certificates of honor for 21 World War II veterans.
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The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.
FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.
To view a prior story:
FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave
Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.
At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.
Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.
Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.
Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.
Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.
“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”
Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.
“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”
“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”
“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.
“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.
ATTENTION: Concerned Citizens of Bourbon County and Fort Scott. By state rules we had to post the following information, but many are reading it wrong (it is very hard to read). Michael Rogers is NOT constructing a feedlot on his property 2555 Locust Rd. Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. He is constructing erosion barriers on his property.
The City of Fort Scott is not responsible for any of the information written in the document and since it is outside of the 3-mile radius does not have Code Enforcement jurisdiction.
The City of Fort Scott is required to post this document per the State of Kansas request.
Sorry for any confusion this may have caused to residents close to 2555 Locust Rd. and to Michael Rogers.
Brad Matkin
City Manager
City of Fort Scott
For information on Public Notice No. KS-AG-R-24-010. Visit our City Clerk page, https://www.fscity.org/206/City-Clerk
Brad Matkin
City Manager
City of Fort Scott
May 20, 2024 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with all Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Mike Wunderly, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Bo Casper, Jason Silvers, Emily Franks, Michael Hoyt, and Deb Martin were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.
Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 5-13-2024, approval of payroll totaling $298,201.43, and approval of accounts payable totaling $408,894.66. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
Susan Walker, CFO, and Patty Love, Treasurer, updated the Commissioners on the Neighborhood Revitalization Program errors they had found. Susan said the application states if the homeowner has delinquent property taxes, then they forfeit NRP from then on, however; this has not been enforced in the past. Susan asked if we move forward following how the application reads or do we change the application. Jim said he is ok with how it is as long as people understand up front that they will forfeit the program if their taxes are delinquent. Brandon said he thinks taxes should be delinquent one year before they forfeit their place in the program. Clifton asked if this would apply to personal property tax such as boat trailers, and Susan stated it only applies to delinquent real estate tax. Jim asked how taxes are determined to be delinquent and Patty explained the first half of the taxes are due December 20th each year, so if you have not paid by close of business then on December 21st your taxes are delinquent. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed there should be a grace period for the homeowners to pay their taxes without forfeiting the program. It was determined if the taxes are not paid by December 20th of the following year, then their taxes would be considered delinquent and they would forfeit NRP. Susan said there will need to be an addendum to the program so she will work with Matt Quick, Appraiser, who will have to contact other entities who participate in the program and they will present it at a future meeting. Susan said that she has continued checking NRP applications for accuracy and at this point has made it through 2020 applications and so far, there is approximately $13,000 owed to residents. Susan said it is a very time-consuming process, but she will keep working on checking the remainder of the applications.
Emily Franks, Auditor with Jarred, Gilmore, Phillips, PA, presented the fiscal year 2023 audit report. Emily went page by page to explain each section of the audit report to the Commissioners. Emily stated we were in compliance, however; she stressed the decrease in cash balances and said the general fund has decreased a few hundred thousand from 2022 to 2023 and stated the Commissioners need to keep an eye on this to keep expenses under control and keep this in mind going into the budget process of how to get more receipts into the General fund. Emily went over all of the different funds and said the overall ending unencumbered cash balance was decreased by about $700,000. It is recommended to have three to six months of operating expenses in cash balance. Emily stated the only things she wanted to discuss regarding Bourbon County was the need to complete a resolution outlining elected officials’ salaries and the need for detailed credit card receipts. Some credit card receipts do not show detailed explanations of what was purchased and Emily stated for transparency a copy of the itemized receipt should be obtained. Emily said there is a management letter enclosed in the packet that states there are no issues or violations and requested the Treasurer, Clerk, and CFO to sign and send back to their firm.
Sage Hall discussed his health concerns relating to solar panels and read multiple studies regarding what he discussed. Mr. Hall said he is all about freedom and constitutional rights and said he has a problem when his tax dollars are used as federal and state subsidies to produce energy sent elsewhere. Mr. Hall also discussed the potential decrease in property value he will be facing due to the solar panel farms next to his home.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, stated the committee members listed on the 5-Year Solid Waste Plan needs to be updated. Eric recommends Jim Harris, Clifton Beth, Brandon Whisenhunt, himself, and Frank Young be listed as committee members of the Bourbon County 5-Year Solid Waste Plan. Jim asked if there would be any other changes to the plan, and Eric stated the only change is the committee listed on the plan. Clifton made a motion to update the 5-Year Solid Waste Plan committee members to those listed in Eric’s recommendation. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Eric said the estimate of Bourbon County’s share to fix bridge #518 would be closer to $600,000 instead of the $300,000 that was originally estimated. Eric stated with the disaster damage we currently have he is not sure we would have the funds available to fix the bridge if we were to win the grant funds. Eric asked if the Commissioners wanted to postpone applying for the grant until next year. After discussion it was agreed to wait until we get past the disaster damage to apply for the bridge grant. Eric said they are almost done driving every road to locate storm damage and that he must have estimates turned into KDEM by Friday. Eric stated that each day they are finding more damage undermining the roads and bridges within the county. Brandon asked Eric to tell his crew they are doing a good job. Eric said that they have added gravel on Yale Road by the Stevenson Cemetery so that residents could enter the cemetery.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, asked if the Commissioners would like to hold a meeting next Monday since the courthouse will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. The Commissioners agreed to not hold a meeting next week since the courthouse would be closed. Jennifer asked to amend the agenda to add a reimbursement request form that must be signed by all the Commissioners. The request form is for the state-ran Presidential Preference Primary Election that happened in March and Bourbon County is asking for a reimbursement of $11,320. Clifton made a motion to sign the reimbursement request form. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer asked for a 5-minute executive for consultation with an attorney. Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under 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 to include the three Commissioners, Jennifer Hawkins, and Justin Meeks who will attend via phone and will return at 6:23. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:23 with no action. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
Brandon said he has traffic concerns regarding the solar panel projects and said it looks like stormwater permits will have to be obtained from the State and Jim agreed. Brandon discussed zoning and stated the Clerk cannot find a statute outlining the number of signatures needed on a petition and that she provided him a copy of the statutes that state the Commissioners can pass a resolution for zoning. Jim said he would be in favor of it going on the ballot if they receive a petition signed by residents. Clifton said a lot of the people he has spoken to do not want zoning and Brandon said he has heard from people both for and against zoning. Jim asked for more research to be done regarding the number of signatures needing for a zoning petition. Clifton said he talked to Destry Brown, Rory Chaplin, Jason Kegler, and Vance Eden about trade school opportunities and he said his wish is to be able to help fund that. Brandon said he is all for tech schools and Clifton said he would be ready to make a motion tonight. Brandon suggested working on the budget first and Jim said a lot of kids are wanting to go into trades.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:32. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________,Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
6-3-2024 Approved Date
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.
“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”
Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.
Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate.
Click here to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.
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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
June 3, 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.
