Category Archives: Government

City of Fort Scott Responds to Mercy Shut-Down

First off, the City would like to recognize the incredible effort by all of the Mercy employees and it’s local leaders.

1886.

That is the year the first Mercy hospital opened and we have been blessed to have their services.  The tireless effort of these employees proves the strong community character of Fort Scott.

What makes Fort Scott a great place is the people. Our people have seen this town thrive, face challenges, and rebound like never before.

Fort Scott continues to see remarkable industry growth with the addition of over 800 jobs within the last 5 years.  Over a 24% increase in the hourly median wage.  In addition to the commercial investment with employer expansions, the residential investment has grown by 45% within the last two years.

Fort Scott is home to generations of families.

People who have been raised here and are returning home to raise their families.

People who have gone to the Community College here and choose Fort Scott as their home.

We have a district-wide student to teacher ratio of 13 to 1.  An aquatic center which opened in 2012.  One of the top 10 best public golf courses in the state.  A 360-acre lake for fishing, boating, and recreation.  Over 7 miles of bike trails within Gunn Park which is home to 7 shelter houses, 2 fishing lakes, playground areas, and a 9 hole Frisbee golf course.  A state of the art baseball facility featuring a 1,200 seat stadium, 2 indoor batting cages, clubhouse with lockers and lounge, turf infield and grass outfield.

Fort Scott has tremendous community pride.  The City intends to support our residents in every way possible through this transition.

Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, and Dave Martin, City Manager are actively working on solutions and have been pleased with the outreach of interested parties.

Our citizens work hard and deserve affordable healthcare.  We are confident Fort Scott will overcome this challenge and continue to be a great place to work and raise families.

 

Respectively –

 

Economic Development

City of Fort Scott

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 2

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 2nd, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:00-Letter for Diehl-Banwart

10:30-12:00-Justin Meeks

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-Robert Coon-No Zoning

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Land Bank Meeting Oct. 2

There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street.

This meeting will be held to continue to discuss the policies of the Land Bank and to review two sample policies.

There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Minutes for Sept. 18

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of September 18, 2018 Regular Meeting #18

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Darrell Parker, Tom Robertson, Steve Buerge, Jerry Witt, Robert Uhler, Chad Brown, Lisa Walther, Valetta Cannon, Dominic Cannon, Ashley Cannon, Kaylee Cannon, Roger Carswell, Kim Rutter, Sara Ellis, Olive Ellis, Kerry Pommier, Mila Newman, Ronda Bailey, Gabrielle Studer, Martha Scott, Clara Dunn, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Valetta Cannon – Southeast Kansas Library System Excellence Award presentation – Lisa Walther, Library Director, introduced Roger Carswell and Kim Rutter with the Southeast Kansas Library System. Mr. Carswell presented Valetta Cannon with the Excellence Award. Ms. Cannon was nominated by Lisa Walther. A check for $1,000 was presented to the Fort Scott Public Library, and a trophy was given to Ms. Cannon. Her name will also be inscribed on a traveling plaque with other award winners. The City Commission also presented her with a Certificate of Recognition. Ms. Cannon thanked the City and the great community that supports the local library.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 4th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1223-A totaling $406,758.85.

  1. Resolution 35-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 302 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 36-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 421 W. 5th Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 37-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1110 Scott Avenue – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 39-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Accessory Structure located in a vacant lot south of 711 S. Barbee Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

Parker moved the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Robertson – October 26th, 2018 – Zombie Run – 5K Race – Gunn Park – Tom Robertson asked for approval to use Gunn Park to host a Zombie 5K Race on Friday, October 26th, 2018. The park would close to the public around 9 p.m. and registration would begin at the top of the park around 10:00 p.m. with the race beginning at 11:00 p.m. All proceeds from this race will go to the Christmas in the Park event to be held the first weekend in December.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Zombie Run 5K Race to be held on October 26th, 2018 at Gunn Park. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO HOLD ZOMBIE RUN 5K RACE ON OCTOBER 26TH, 2018 AT GUNN PARK.

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:11 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:11 P.M.

6:00 p.m. – Public Hearing – Vacation of Street – Barbee Street – between 10th & 11th Street between Barbee and Little – Fort Scott Christian Heights c/o Terry Chance and Cecil J. & Cynthia K. Feagins, Jr. – (Jerry Witt) – Approval of Ordinance #3539 – Jerry Witt said that he is on the board for the Christian Heights School and they have requested that this street be vacated. It has never been a street and is on the school property as well as on the Feagins property.
There is a drainage issue which the City is working on. Both property owners signed the petition.

There were no comments from the audience.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the ordinance vacating Barbee Street between 10th & 11th on Barbee and Little. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO 3539 VACATING THE PLATTED STREET ALSO KNOWN AS LINDEN STREET LOCATED SOUTH OF 10TH STREET BETWEEN LOTS 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16, BLOCK 1, PLEASANT VIEW ADDITION AND LOTS 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 & 12, BLOCK 2, PLEASANT VIEW ADDITION TO THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AT BARBEE STREET BETWEEN 10TH AND 11TH STREET BETWEEN BARBEE AND LITTLE STREETS – FORT SCOTT CHRISTIAN HEIGHTS C/O TERRY CHANCE AND CECIL J. & CYNTHIA K. FEAGINS, JR.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 38-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 111 S. Little Street – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that there was a fire at this structure approximately two years ago. This structure belongs to James Marshall and he is cooperating with the City. He has asked for time to remove his personal belongings from the structure. She asked for a time frame of two weeks for him to either repair or remove this structure.

Bartelsmeyer moved to give two weeks to repair or remove this structure at 111 S. Little. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 38-2018 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 111 S. LITTLE STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 5TH, 2018 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Rhonda gave an update on 1601 E. Wall Street and that since no progress has been made, demolition bids will be sent out.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Riverfront Grant submittal update – Jerry Witt, Chairperson, Riverfront Committee, informed the Commission that there is a lot going on at the Riverfront. The new overlook structure is almost complete. Mercy Hospice has a memorial space made with bricks and has seating at this location also.

Last Monday, a grant was submitted to K.D.O.T. in the amount of $1,364,400 for the relocation of the Long Shoals Bridge. There is K.D.O.T. funding available and the deadline for submission of the grant was Monday, September 10th. The City Manager signed the grant application. He thanked the City for their help in submitting this grant.

He has also applied for a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant for a children’s play area. It would consist of a natural play area in the middle of the park. He should know if the City was awarded this soon.

City Manager said that he did sign the grant application due to the time frame it needed for submittal. He reminded the Commission that the Riverfront Committee is responsible for raising the matching funds for this grant.

Parker moved to approve the submittal of the Long Shoals Bridge Relocation Grant to K.D.O.T. signed by the City Manager. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LONG SHOALS BRIDGE RELOCATION GRANT TO K.D.O.T. SIGNED BY THE CITY MANAGER.

  1. Comprehensive Plan update – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that due to the hard work of the Planning Commission, Commissioner Parker, Allyson Turvey, and Rhonda Dunn the Comprehensive Plan is complete. A public hearing will need to be held for the formal adoption of this plan.

Parker moved to approve to hold a public hearing to adopt the new Comprehensive Plan. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

  1. Consideration of Bids – Waterway Mowing – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that the City has a lot of waterways to maintain. She had two waterways bid out recently where they need to be cleaned out badly so the water can flow properly. There were five bids received. This was bid in two sections with one area at 7th and National and the other area on 23rd Street to Highway 69. The low bid is from SMM Holdings which is Kenneth and Steve Mason. This is a new company just getting started. She asked for approval for the bid at 7th and National in the amount of $2,975. She would like to see how they perform the work at this location first before awarding the other location. They are the low bid for the 23rd Street location also. She asked for approval for the location at 7th & National in the amount of $2,975 to SMM Holdings.

Nichols moved to award the 7th & National waterway bid to SMM Holdings in the amount of $2,975.00. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

AWARDED THE 7TH AND NATIONAL WATERWAY BID TO SMM HOLDINGS OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,975.00.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn – Ms. Dunn informed the Commission that she has a great team of employees that are reporting to her. Tyler, the City’s software company, will be here on October 16-18 for training for her and any employees that need additional training. She is reviewing every invoice paid by the City and looking for ways to save money. The Codes Department is also doing well, although she is not in the same building with them now.

Rachel Pruitt – Thanked Steve Buerge and Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. for their assistance and all they do for the City. The City’s Comprehensive Plan is nearing completion, and the next step is to strategize on implementation.  BEDCO has recommended contracting with experts for further guidance and direction. 

Steve Buerge said that he spent all day recently with City officials and with an engineering firm called Waggoner & Associates of Mississippi. With over 40 years of experience, Waggoner and Associates manage comprehensive infrastructure, economic development, and housing programs that improve quality of life.  Their services will offer perspective on capital funding, implementation, and program management strategies as well as the implementation which will help transform our communityBedco has hired this firm and will be paying for them to assist Bedco and the City.

Dave Martin said that he is proud to announce that the new Community Development Director for the City is Robert Uhler. The job was posted and they interviewed three individuals. Robert has experience in lobbying and working with state and federal officials. Robert started last Monday.

Robert Uhler said that he appreciates the opportunity to work for the City of Fort Scott. They choose to live here and love Fort Scott. He thanked the City for their vote of confidence.

B. City Commission:

AdamsonNothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer Welcomed Robert Uhler to the City team.

Nichols Thanked Jerry Witt for his help with Riverfront Park. He also thanked Steve Buerge and Bedco. He is excited about this project with Waggoner & Associates. He is glad to see that Rhonda is looking for ways to save money with the City’s finances.

Parker – Echoed Commissioner Nichol’s comments.

Mitchell Welcomed Robert Uhler also. Thanked Steve Buerge for the amazing job he does with Bedco.

C. City Attorney: Informed the Commission and public to go by the City’s golf course. It has never looked better than it does right now. The new cart shed is completed and the old cart shed has been demolished. It looks amazing.

City Attorney asked for a 10-minute executive session with just the City Commission present to discuss non-elected personnel. There is no action anticipated.

  1. City Manager: Nothing to report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Nichols moved to move into Executive Session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel to include City Commission and City Attorney. There is no action anticipated. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:50 P.M.

Rachel Pruitt announced that there will be a liquor by the drink informative meeting on Saturday, September 22nd, at the Elks Lodge. Tickets for dinner are $20.00 each which will be used for marketing materials.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:01 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on October 2nd, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

The Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for Oct. 2

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

OCTOBER 2, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Post Chaplin, Retired Army Chaplin, James Collins, Pastor, First Southern Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Presentation of Certificate of Support to the City of Fort Scott from the American Legion

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1224-A totaling $284,542.13.

  1. Resolution 40-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 14 S. Margrave – Public Hearing Date – 11/20/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Parade Permit – Pioneer Harvest Fiesta – October 18th, 2018

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

Penny Pollock Barnes – Tri-Yak-A-Thon – Gunn Park

Chris Sather – Tigers on the Move Event at Riverfront Trails – 10/12/2018 – 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Bob Guilfoyle, Craig, Zach – Craw-Kan – Buildout plans for Fort Scott

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Discussion of 523 S. Main Street
  1. Masonry Repairs – Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant
  1. Use of Riverfront Park

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Economic Development update

Rhonda Dunn – US Cellular Tower & Flag Pole

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Westar Rate Decrease

Governor Colyer Responds to Westar Rate Decrease

 

Topeka – Governor Jeff Colyer M.D. thanked the Kansas Corporation Commission today for their unanimous decision to order pass along savings from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) bill to Westar electric customers.

 

Earlier this year, Governor Colyer sent a letter to Kansas utility companies urging them to ensure that ratepayers saw a decrease in their utility bills from the tax cuts given to utility companies by the Federal Government. The settlement was unanimously approved today by the Kansas Corporation Commission for Westar customers to receive a reduction to their electric rates of $66 million dollars annually. That is the equivalent of approximately $3.80 per month for the average residential customer. In addition, Westar has agreed to provide a one-time credit of $50 million to customers representing the tax savings received by the company since the beginning of 2018 due to the TCJA.

 

“I am pleased that Westar and the KCC have settled on a rate decrease that passes savings on to our hard-working Kansans,” said Governor Colyer. “This action will allow businesses and families to stretch their dollars further thanks to actual savings on their monthly utility bills.”

Kansas City Power and Light, Kansas Gas Service, and other utility companies also have rate cases currently before the KCC that will consider the impact of the tax cuts to customer rates. An order regarding these companies’ utility rates will be issued by the KCC over the next several months.

Personal Income in Kansas Continues to Rise

 

TOPEKA, KS –Governor Jeff Colyer M.D. on Wednesday highlighted a report that shows Kansas personal income rose significantly in the second quarter.

The report, released yesterday from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, showed Kansas wages increased by 4.7 percent, leading the seven states Plains Region.  Earnings increased by 6 percent in Kansas industries such as agriculture and professional business services. This increase puts Kansas at the 10th fastest income growth in the nation during the second quarter.

“It’s great to see Kansans taking home bigger paychecks as our economy continues to improve,” said Governor Colyer, “We have been hard at work in Kansas trying to attract higher value jobs to our state in order to grow our economy, and we are delighted to see earnings on the rise as a result of businesses investing more in our state.”

The full report can be found at the following link:

www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-by-state

The Bourbon County Courthouse North Wing Transformed

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, on the right in this photo, has been reconfigured to house the county clerk, treasurer and commission offices. Additionally, at the back of the wing, Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative has leased a space for their business operations.

The public will be using a different door to get to the Bourbon County Commission, Treasurer and Clerk offices at 210 S. National.

The Bourbon County Courthouse personnel moved the offices late last week from the second floor to the north wing, the space of the former Sheriff’s Office and jail.

The Sheriff’s office and jail moved to a new facility at 293 E. 20th Street, earlier this year

The Bourbon County Commission room, September 2018.

The commission room is on the north side of the courthouse door as one enters in the north wing, There is room for the public to attend meetings comfortably now and space is more handicapped accessible on the ground floor.

The Bourbon County Clerk’s Office. Whitney Ball man’s the desk Monday. The office is located on the south side of the hall as one enters the doors on the north wing of the courthouse.
The Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office employees wait on the public in the new office on Monday. This office is located on the north side of the hall as one enters the doors on the north wing of the courthouse.
The north door of the courthouse is now for the Public Works Department.

To enter the county public works office, use the north door on the 2nd Street side.

The driver’s license office will be moving to the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office at Second and Judson Streets, behind the courthouse, pictured here.

The county attorney will move from the office building at 108 2nd Street to the 2nd floor of the courthouse on October 9.

The last day the driver’s license will be in its current location on the second floor of the courthouse, is Oct. 26, according to Shane Walker, Bourbon County Information Services Director.

On November 1, the driver’s license office will be open for business at 108 2nd Street, Walker said.

The Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative space is seen at the back of the Judson Street side of the courthouse. The county commission has leased Craw-Kan two cells from the former jail at the courthouse for its business operation in Bourbon County.

“We’ve leased them two cells in the former jail in exchange for internet and phone services for life,” Walker said. “That will save the county $250,000 over the next 10-12 years. We currently have internet from them and will be switching to their phone service in the next month.”

“The other cells of the former jail are empty,” Walker said, “There are some future plans ahead for them.”

 

 

Agenda For the Bourbon County Commission Sept. 25

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse has been reconfigured to house the county clerk, treasurer and commission offices.

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor of the North Wing (new location) County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: September 25th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:00-Cathy Cooper-6th Judicial

10:00-10:15-Rosary Rally

10:15-10:30-Terry Sercer-2017 Audit

10:45-11:00-Health Insurance

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

2:30-3:00-Will Wallis

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Jody Hoener Hired as Bourbon County Economic Development Director

Economic growth is a priority for Bourbon County Commission
and they are aggressively seeking to address the high mill levy, low county valuation, and population decline by a renewed focus on Economic Development.

Bourbon County Commissioners have officially taken action to address the dismal population and per capita valuation forecast with the creation of an Economic Development Director position, and the hiring of Jody Hoener for that position.

The most recent Kansas Association of Research Report shows Bourbon County’s valuation per capita ranking at a low 102 out of 105 Kansas counties. According to data from Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development Business and Research, Bourbon County is expected to see a 16% decline in population by 2044. County officials realize that should statistics continue to trend in this direction, countywide services will need to be cut, a tight labor market will dissolve, current businesses will be challenged to remain viable, and prospects of new business will be dim.

There is hope for Bourbon County’s community services, quality of life, and economic vitality.

Under the leadership of a new economic development director, the county will address county valuation and population decline. The strategy will build upon the county’s strengths and implementation of strategic planning, programs and policies that have proven to encourage economic growth, workforce development, and improve quality of life.

By increasing the county population and creating new valuation, the mill levy and taxes can be lowered without cutting services.

Justin Meeks, County Counselor states, “The research and discussions the commission has had over the past three years have led to this opportunity to possibly grow Bourbon County population and attract new residential and commercial construction within our County.”

Hoener, the new hire as the Economic Development Director, brings to the position established relationships and connections as well as experience working with state and federal regulations, grant programs such as the Community Development Block Grant, and tax incentives such as the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

She is a community leader with a substantial background in evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental work to encourage economic growth, quality of life, and improved health outcomes.

“We are here to work tirelessly on our community’s quality of life, economic growth, and culture of health. A healthy community is a community where we have access to recreation, healthcare, education, sustainable food systems, livable wages; the housing that meets our specific needs and is a place where we feel safe.”

Lynne O’Harah shared his enthusiasm, “We welcome Jody to the Bourbon County family and look forward to the opportunities to lower taxes while seeing economic growth.”

Hoener’s salary is $35,000 a year.

Justin Meeks added, “We cannot keep relying on an increase in Mills to keep our quality of life. That’s why we are very excited to have Jody be part of this chance to see what we can do to make plans for not just tomorrow but the future of Bourbon County.”

Under Jody’s direct leadership, Bourbon County was selected as one of the first eight Pathways communities in 2016 and awarded a $500,000 grant.

Building relationships with many community stakeholders through the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant, the Bourbon County initiative has gained regional and statewide recognition as a leader in population health and community development.