The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th, 2020 in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, January 18th, 2020 for the Martin Luther King Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: January 14, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
1:30-2:00 – Jim Harris
2:00-2:15 – John George – Wind Generation Opportunities
2:15-2:30 – Jody Hoener – executive session Proprietary Information
2:30-3:00 – Jody Hoener-Business Incubator
3:00-4:00 – Alan Anderson-Polsinelli Law Firm
Executive Session
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets
4:00-4:15 – Justin Meeks
4:15-4:30 – Courthouse Security
4:30-6:00 – Lunch
6:00-6:30 – Windfarm Discussion
6:30-6:45 – Kim Simons
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: January 13, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
2:00-2:15: executive session – Non-elected personnel
2:15-2:40: executive session – Contract Negotiations
Bourbon County Commissioners are trying to close the gap in wages for its’ elected officials, according to chairman Lynne Oharah.
Recently the commission raised four elected officials earnings with a combined total of $46,000.
At the Dec. 17, 2019 county commission meeting Ohara made a motion to approve a salary resolution for elected officials effective Dec. 15, 2019, according to commission minutes. This raised the clerk and treasurer’s salary to $47,248 annually, the register of deeds to 44,821 and the sheriff’s salary to $60,000. Commissioner Jeff Fisher seconded and all commissioners approved.
Ohara then made a motion approving a wage resolution for Bourbon County employees changing the following: the salary for the correctional center captain, the emergency preparedness director and the deputy county appraiser were raised to $35,568 annually to comply with the U.S. Dept. Of Labor standards for salaried employees. A Maintenance 5 position was added at a rate of $17.47 per hour. Commissioner Nick Ruhl seconded and all were in favor of those changes. The economic development director’s salary was changed to $70,000 a year on the same resolution.
Ohara made a motion to approve changing her salary to $70,000. He said that if Bourbon County gets an administrative fee from Phase 2 of the Healthy Bourbon County Grant then part of the $70,000 salary would be subsidized from the grant, Fisher seconded this motion, Ruhl voted against this motion, and the motion passed.
The following is an interview with Bourbon County Commissioner Lynn Oharah.
He started with a history of the raises.
“In 2015, Sheriff Martin contracted an agency to do a wage study to compare Bourbon County wages with other comparable counties because he thought there was a large wage disparity between Bourbon County employees and other like counties,” Commissioner Oharah said. “The county commissioners also accessed Kansas county wage information from the ks.gov website. The results indicated that Bourbon County wages were significantly behind our peers. The commissioners resolved to address these wage disparities and devised a plan to increase FTE (Full Time equivalent) positions first and address the next positions that had the most wage disparity, which happened to be the elected officials. Along with this effort we wanted to incentivize employees to continue working for the county and we did this by approving a $100 per year of service longevity pay increase.”
“This position was initially created to see how the position could help the county,” Oharah said. “It was created with a minimum of 20 hours of work per week at $35,000 annual salary and we would look at the performance and scope to see if we needed to increase the hours and wages.”
“Our economic developer has been a great asset and for the first six months spent a lot of time helping get the Bourbon County Ambulance Service up and running along with the other duties.”
“Since then all Bourbon County businesses and government entities have been contacted and surveyed to address their needs and identify what’s important to them. Also, new businesses have been guided through the process of starting a business, grants have been written, the County NRP program has been implemented and coordinated under economic development. Meetings and plans regarding healthcare are ongoing with economic development highly involved. This is just naming a few projects that are ongoing and the time spent well exceeds what was required.”
Topeka – Beginning January 15, 2020, a new personalized license plate design will be seen on Kansas roads. The plate, featuring wind turbines on a Kansas sunrise, is aptly named “Powering the Future.” It will serve as a reminder of the state’s long history of embracing the natural energy resource of wind.
“Kansas is a leader in alternative energy and this plate helps feature the fact the state has a long history of adopting technology that shapes the future,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.
“I am pleased that this license plate design comes on the heels of Kansas being ranked first in the nation for percentage of electricity produced by wind,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “At the same time, it is a display of an expanding industry that contributes so much to the economic fabric of our state.”
“The new personalized plate design has been highly anticipated,” David Harper, Director of Vehicles, said. “We are happy that people continue to take pride in and show interest in the option for personalized plates.”
Customers will need to go into their local county treasurer’s office to place the order for the personalized plate.
To obtain the personalized plate, county treasurers will require customers to have their current registration receipt, photo ID, and proof of insurance.
Customers who currently don’t have a personalized plate can go to their local county treasurer’s office with those documents and pay the plate fee and any additional fees associated with the plate order. They will receive a temporary vehicle tag and the metal plate will arrive in the mail. This can be done ahead of the regular renewal month.
Kansas gets new personalized license plate design
Topeka – Beginning January 15, 2020, a new personalized license plate design will be seen on Kansas roads. The plate, featuring wind turbines on a Kansas sunrise, is aptly named “Powering the Future.” It will serve as a reminder of the state’s long history of embracing the natural energy resource of wind.
“Kansas is a leader in alternative energy and this plate helps feature the fact the state has a long history of adopting technology that shapes the future,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.
“I am pleased that this license plate design comes on the heels of Kansas being ranked first in the nation for percentage of electricity produced by wind,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “At the same time, it is a display of an expanding industry that contributes so much to the economic fabric of our state.”
“The new personalized plate design has been highly anticipated,” David Harper, Director of Vehicles, said. “We are happy that people continue to take pride in and show interest in the option for personalized plates.”
Customers will need to go into their local county treasurer’s office to place the order for the personalized plate.
To obtain the personalized plate, county treasurers will require customers to have their current registration receipt, photo ID, and proof of insurance.
Customers who currently don’t have a personalized plate can go to their local county treasurer’s office with those documents and pay the plate fee and any additional fees associated with the plate order. They will receive a temporary vehicle tag and the metal plate will arrive in the mail. This can be done ahead of the regular renewal month.
For customers with the current 2015 personalized plate, a letter will be in the mail 45 days before the regular due date of the registration telling them they have the option to switch their current personalized combination to the new plate. Customers will be able to keep their 2015 personalized plate.
An application for a personalized plate can be printed and completed prior to the visit to the respective county treasurer’s office by clicking the following link: https://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/tr715.pdf.
The cost of the plate will be $45.50 in addition to other registration fees and taxes normally due.
For customers with the current 2015 personalized plate, a letter will be in the mail 45 days before the regular due date of the registration telling them they have the option to switch their current personalized combination to the new plate. Customers will be able to keep their 2015 personalized plate.
An application for a personalized plate can be printed and completed prior to the visit to the respective county treasurer’s office by clicking the following link: https://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/tr715.pdf.
The cost of the plate will be $45.50 in addition to other registration fees and taxes normally due.
Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Lt. Governor’s Conference Room. The Office of Rural Prosperity will be announcing the release of its report after a year of traveling throughout the state, and the formation of the office.
Who: Lt. Governor Rogers, Governor Laura Kelly, ORP Team
What: Press Conference – Office of Rural Prosperity: Release of ORP Report
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2020
Where: Kansas Statehouse
Lt. Governor’s Conference Room 252-S
Topeka, KS
For the first time since 2015, the Governor’s State of the State address will be broadcast on live television in Kansas.
During the annual State of the State speech, Governor Kelly will report to the Kansas Legislature and to the state on her administration’s priorities for the 2020 Legislative Session.
When: Live broadcast: Wednesday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Smoky Hills Public Television; KTWU in Topeka; KPTS in Wichita; Check your local PBS network listings for information on the live and replayed State of the State broadcast on those stations and others throughout Kansas.
| MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Board will meet via conference call at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020. This is a regularly scheduled board meeting.
The meeting is open to the public. Individuals who have questions about the meeting, including how to access call-in information, should contact Animal Health Commissioner Justin Smith at 785-564-6601 or [email protected].
Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least two days prior to the meeting.
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WHO: Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Animal Health Board
WHAT: Regular board meeting via conference call
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020
WHERE: Conference call |
Governor, Senate Majority Leader announce compromise
proposal to lower healthcare costs for Kansas families
Bipartisan agreement paves way for both Medicaid expansion and reinsurance
TOPEKA – After weeks of negotiations, Democratic Governor Laura Kelly and Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning today announced a compromise proposal to expand Medicaid while lowering health insurance premiums for Kansas families.
“This process is far from over, as there are still several critical steps to be taken by the Kansas Legislature,” Kelly said. “But today, Senator Denning and I are proud to stand together to propose a bipartisan compromise that will expand Medicaid and lower healthcare costs for Kansas families. This proposal includes elements of my plan, of Senator Denning’s plan, of the 2019 House plan, and of the bipartisan plan that passed both chambers in 2017.”
The compromise proposal includes key elements to address concerns raised from both parties, in both chambers:
“My top priority is to lower the cost of healthcare for Kansans across the board. We want to give as many Kansans health care coverage as we can, in the Medicaid market and the non-Medicaid market,” Denning said.
While this proposal is the most sweeping compromise offered since the debate over Medicaid expansion began in 2013, both Kelly and Denning underscored that more work remains.
“We’ll both be working with our respective caucuses in the coming days to get their feedback and buy-in,” Denning said. “But all sides can find something in this bill to like. That means it’s probably about as middle of the road as it can get.”
“This compromise was an important first step, but our work is not over yet,” Kelly said. “Legislators, many of whom were here today, have the ability to bring this over the finish line in the early days of the 2020 session. I am calling on them to do just that.”
Response to today’s announcement of a bipartisan agreement on Medicaid expansion
” Ascension Via Christi extends our appreciation to Gov. Laura Kelly and Sen. Jim Denning for
reaching an agreement on expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Ascension Via Christi, along with the
Kansas Hospital Association and many other healthcare organizations, have been advocating for
Medicaid expansion for the past eight years as a way to make sure that all of our citizens have
access to care.
Expanding Medicaid will bring hundreds of millions in federal dollars to our state, giving Kansans
residents increased access to health care coverage while supporting healthcare providers and our
entire Kansas economy.
Across Ascension’s markets we know that expanded Medicaid has enhanced access to coverage
and care, resulted in more appropriate utilization of services, and has created financial security
among the poor and vulnerable.
Our ministry’s support of Medicaid expansion is rooted in our mission to serve all persons, with
special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable, and to protect and promote the inherent
dignity of all human life from conception until natural death .”
-Submitted by Don King, chief executive officer, Ascension Via Christi
There will be a work session of the Fort Scott City Commission held on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street. This work session will be held to discuss water and sewer lines in the City of Fort Scott. This work session is open to the public.
Governor Kelly Announces Reorganization Creating
Kansas Department of Human Services
New agency to include DCF, KDADS and KDOC Juvenile Services
Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to submit an executive reorganization order to the Kansas Legislature creating the Kansas Department of Human Services (KDHS). The new agency will include the current programs at the Department for Children and Families (DCF), Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the juvenile services division of the Department of Corrections.
Current Secretary of DCF and KDADS, Laura Howard, will lead the new KDHS.
“I ran for office, in part, to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens were protected and that somebody in Topeka was advocating for them,” Kelly said. “One of my key priorities since taking office has been fixing our broken safety net and ensuring that we have a system that is worthy of our citizens. The creation of this new, combined agency reinforces my commitment to our children and families in need and ensures they have access to critical services.
“The creation of the new agency allows us to focus on prevention, so that we can get to these families before their situation becomes a crisis,” Kelly said. “The Department of Human Services will partner with communities across the state to create a single point of entry for those who need access to services for things like child welfare, mental health, economic support and juvenile justice.”
Programs included in the new agency will include:
Governor Kelly recognizes juvenile justice reform has resulted in a reduced need for incarceration while at the same time improving county community corrections case management. Including juvenile services in the new agency continues the improvement process.
“Given the needs of families for community collaboration and overlap, it makes sense to organize juvenile services and child welfare resources under one agency,” Kelly said.
“This is not going to be business as usual,” Howard said. “This combination of services gives us an opportunity to think differently about service delivery. We want Kansans to have seamless access to programs and services that will allow them to thrive. KDHS will be known for its innovation and willingness to work with community partners.”
“Secretary Howard is the perfect person to lead the new agency,” Kelly said. “I am confident that she has the vision and experience to launch an organization of this magnitude and ensure that all Kansans are well served by a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability.”
Governor Kelly will submit the ERO to the legislature within the first 30 days of session. The ERO becomes effective on July 1, following its transmittal to the Legislature, unless either the Senate or the House takes action on the ERO within 60 calendar days after submission.
