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Workers are needed across the state to fill workforce needs.
The Kansas State Board of Education, working with Kansas legislators, are providing the opportunity for juniors in high school, including Fort Scott, to take assessments to help fill those workforce needs.
The title of the program is ACT Work Ready Community and is paid for by Kansas legislators in collaboration with the state board of education.
Students are offered two assessments for the program and can either take the ACT, or ACT WorkKeys, or both.
The program facilitators are hoping to fill job vacancies in Bourbon County.
“An opportunity was seen to provide a connection for local Bourbon County employers to gain understanding of the ACT and the ACT WorkKeys assessment to help fill and build their workforce,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong said. “The opportunity for juniors to take the ACT assessments will continue this school year and for years to come.”
A career readiness certificate can be earned, after taking an assessment, which will help to evaluate future employees for the workforce skills needed.
The program allows employers to use it as a tool to see if the skills set will work for their need.
“ACT Work Ready Community is a program to provide Bourbon County the distinction of a county where the employers recognize the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate earned upon completion of taking the ACT WorkKeys assessment, as a tool to evaluate future employees,” Hessong said.
The basis of the certification: current and future workers earn the certificate and the employers recognize the credential.
“Employers can be the fuel to drive successful state and county Work Ready Communities initiatives simply by recognizing the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate®. And in doing so, they will have a more qualified workforce ready to fill their jobs,” according to the ACT Work Ready Communities website.
The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is collecting data and analyzing recent injection well activity in Reno County in an effort to uncover the cause of a series of earthquakes in the Hutchinson area. Amid damage reports and a concern for public safety, the KCC is conducting an investigation and will evaluate whether additional action is needed to safeguard Kansans.
In 2015, the KCC issued an order reducing injection rates in portions of Harper and Sumner counties after the number of earthquakes in that area began to trend upward. In 2016, the Commission issued a second order limiting injection in additional areas of Harper and Sumner as well as parts of Kingman, Sedgwick and Barber counties when earthquake activity there started to rise.
The area currently under study in Reno County focuses primarily on Arbuckle Formation depth wells and involves both Class ll oil and gas industry injection wells regulated by the KCC and Class l wells regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Class ll wells are used to inject fluids associated with oil and natural gas production into deep confined rock formations. There are two types of Class ll injection wells: disposal wells and secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells. Disposal wells are used to inject produced fluids into rock formations that do not produce oil or gas. Typically, the injection formations are isolated from usable quality groundwater and are sealed above and below by cementing steel casing into the unbroken and impermeable well bore and rock formations within the well. Secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells are used to inject produced fluids back into formations/reservoirs that contain oil or gas. These formations are also isolated from usable quality groundwater. The injection of produced fluid back into potentially productive formations often allows for the increased recovery of oil or gas reserves.
Class l wells are used to inject hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and municipal wastewater into deep, confined rock formations. Disposal typically occurs thousands of feet below the lower most underground source of drinking water (USDW). Industries that utilize Class I wells include: refining, metal production, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical industry, commercial disposal, food production and municipal wastewater treatment.[1] Nearly all Class I disposal wells in Kansas inject into the Arbuckle Formation.[2]
To fully evaluate all injection activity in Reno County, the KCC staff is working with other state agencies to collect information regarding well construction, depths, injection volumes, pressures, maintenance practices and any new injection well activity in the area. This investigation and evaluation process is ongoing and dependent upon the complexity of the evolving fact finding process. Accordingly, a precise timeline for completing the investigation has not yet been determined.
[1] http://www.kdheks.gov/uic/
2 Id.
Governor Laura Kelly names Secretary DeAngela Burns-Wallace as new Chief Information Technology Officer
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Kansas Department of Administration Secretary DeAngela Burns-Wallace will be the new Chief Information Technology Officer for the Kansas Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). The appointment is effective immediately, with the OITS duties done in addition to her work leading the Kansas Department of Administration.
“Secretary Burns-Wallace has the leadership skills and executive experience necessary for a successful Chief Information Technology Officer to possess,” Governor Kelly said. “Our state’s computer systems are vulnerable to both domestic and international security threats. Secretary Burns-Wallace understands these threats and will ensure that our state’s infrastructure is prepared to handle them and keep Kansans’ information secure.”
Prior to joining the Kelly administration earlier this year, Burns-Wallace served as vice provost of undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. Previously, Burns-Wallace was assistant vice provost for undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University, a master’s degree in public policy and international affairs from Princeton University and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I’m honored to be selected by Governor Kelly to serve in this important role,” Secretary Burns-Wallace said. “I believe in public service and I look forward to working with Governor Kelly, the Legislature and the OITS and Department of Administration teams to serve the people of Kansas. We must ensure that the state has the IT systems in place to conduct its daily business and maintain the safety and security of our data in today’s ever-changing and interconnected world.”
OITS was created under Governor Sam Brownback. Previously, OITS was known as the Division of Information Systems and Communication (DISC) and was a division of the Kansas Department of Administration. OITS is an independent agency, but the two agencies still maintain close operational relationships in several areas because the transition was never completed.
Governor Kelly went on to say: “The relationship OITS has had with the rest of state government has been challenging, and communication between the agency and its customers has been difficult. This was not the fault of the agency’s previous leadership. It is, however, a direct result of the fact that the previous administration split OITS from the Department of Administration and then failed to properly support the move, convey its mission and get buy-in from the rest of state government.”
Burns-Wallace replaces Lee Allen, who has decided to leave the agency.
“I appreciate the work Lee has done for OITS, and thank him for his service to the State of Kansas,” Governor Kelly said.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2019-2022 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Sept. 4. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Bureau of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Familiar Face to Replace Retiring Lansing Correctional Facility Warden
Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Shannon Meyer returning to Lansing
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced Tuesday that Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Shannon Meyer will take the reins at Lansing Correctional Facility effective August 25.
Meyer, who began her correctional career at Lansing in 2002, will replace Warden Ron Baker who is retiring after 35 years with the KDOC.
“Shannon calls Lansing her home away from home and is excited to return to Lansing as the first woman to be appointed warden of this facility,” said Corrections Deputy Secretary of Facilities Management Joel Hrabe. “Shannon’s long-time connection and her experience make her the best choice to lead the state’s oldest and largest correctional facility.”
As one of her first major undertakings, Meyer will oversee the ongoing reconstruction project at Lansing which is scheduled for completion in early 2020.
Meyer, who started as a corrections counselor at Lansing, steadily rose through the ranks before joining the agency’s reentry division in Topeka. Beginning in 2006, she served as the division’s assistant director where she was responsible for implementing evidence-based programs and services throughout the state. She was named the director of community corrections in 2011 before returning to Lansing as the East Unit administrator in 2013. Meyer then was named a Lansing deputy warden in 2014. In 2016, Meyer was appointed to her current position as warden at Topeka Correctional Facility, the state’s only correctional facility for women.
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August 7, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session to hold a 2020 budget work session. All of the Commissioners were present for the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
08/31/2019, Approved Date
July 30, 2019 Tuesday 1:00 pm
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Mark Ward met with the Commissioners; he questioned if Lynne (the Commissioner Chairman) had received written notice of the City of Fort Scott changing the rates for the Lake Sewer District. The Commissioners received an email notifying them of the meeting date and the proposed change. Mr. Ward said that the original sewer district contract said that the rates could only be changed when the rates were changed for the city rates too. The City of Fort Scott plans to discuss raising the rates for the Fort Scott Lake Sewer District on August 6th, 2019.
Terry Sercer met with the Commissioners to present the first rough draft of the 2020 budget. Terry was told to use the requested budgets for the 2020 budget for the initial budget; the current actual mill levy for Bourbon County is 66.602, with the initial 2020 budget the estimate tax rate is 67.909. Terry said the 1.3 mill increase is still under the tax lid. The Commissioners reviewed the initial budget after Terry left.
Nick made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Nick made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion that Lynne sign a TRICARE document, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the document.
Lynne signed a document extending the Blue Cross & Blue Shield grant.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.
The Commissioners will have a budget work session on August 7th, 2019 beginning at 9:00 am.
There will not be a Commission meeting on August 6th, 2019 due to the Election.
At 4:15, the Commissioners took a break for dinner and reconvened at 5:30.
Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners to discuss Bourbon County Economic Development and to get the communities input for a strategic plan; she presented data and discussed Bourbon County Economic Development and community wide assessment and setting priorities. Some of the people present for the meeting were: Deb Mccoy, Cheryl Deloney, Diana Morriss, Cheryl Adamson, Jean Reeves, Rachel Pruitt, Katie Casper, Steve Anthony, Michael Hoyt, Randy Neeley, Tammy Helm, Patty Love, Pete Allen, John George, Bobby Duncan, Kevin Allen, Bobbi Kemna and Josh Jones. Jody questioned what the goals for the next 5-10 years and the tasks should be to move towards growth. Michael Hoyt suggested addressing the strengths and weaknesses; he said we need to become a friendly tax environment by lowering sales tax and becoming competitive with the surrounding areas as well as increase jobs and the population. Lynne Oharah said that the services the County provides are directly related to property and sales tax. Bobby Duncan said if we want the economy to grow we need to be competitive with the areas around us, he suggested paying off debts and cutting expenses somewhere. Deb Mccoy discussed the Industrial Park and questioned if there were areas for expansion there for additional businesses to add to add to the economy. Katie Casper suggested helping the businesses that are already here. Jody questioned what could move our community forward; Diana Morriss suggested that we need to pay attention to trends and look at what Fort Scott can be, she said it needs to be a place that offers quality of life. Matt Sanders suggested healthcare, he also discussed Kansas Rocks and the people using that as well as the bike trails. Matt Sanders did say that there isn’t enough workforce here now to fill the jobs that are available. Jessica Allison discussed the slow rate of internet in the County and suggested faster internet could help. Bill Michaud said we needed to take the assets we already have and gain growth there. Bill Michaud discussed wind farms and pipelines; he suggested being aggressive in developing this here. Bobby Duncan said that we needed to let the business owners do the improvements they can afford to do. Katie Casper said we needed to engage the people in the age group that is declining. Pete Allen said the community needed to work together and change the attitude of the people that are going out of town to eat and shop. Bobbi Kemna said she had traveled a lot and said that people appreciate art; she discussed an arts festival she had and the success of it, she plans to do the art festival again. Kevin Allen suggested having more rodeo events (since rodeos bring money and people to the area) and focusing on the Fort Scott Lake and possibly adding a second tier lake. Donna Wilson discussed the Airport Days that the Fort Scott Airport used to have; she discussed other airports having “fly in days” and said this brings in a lot of tourism. John George felt that agriculture is a strong point for this area; he said he had seen a decline in agriculture partially due to State regulations. Jody Hoener asked for the top points; Lindsay Madison suggested that if another sales tax falls off that possibly an economic development sales tax be started for funding economic development, she also suggested developing shared services to reduce property tax. Deb Mccoy suggested communication; she discussed how a codes inspection is done in Nevada. Diversified recreation was a priority. Michael Hoyt suggested that education and training should be a priority.
Road & Bridge supervisor Jim Harris met with the Commissioners; he said they have been covering the C&D at the Landfill. He said they are finished patching at the Industrial Park and said they are waiting on pricing for the concrete at the intersections. Jim said they are starting Ironwood on August 1st. Jim said they are making chips and discussed a crusher machine that could make enough chips for everyone. The Commissioners discussed a municipalities cooperation contract between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County; the contract stated “The parties agree that the value of the EMS services provided by the City can be exchanged for the service and products that the County will provide to the City for that value, the County will provide 1,400 tons of delivered asphalt to the City at $68.00 dollars per ton.” Jeff made a motion to give Lynne the authority to sign the contract, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.
Matt Sanders met with the Commissioners regarding placing signs (either speed limit or slow children playing) at an area near 250th & Fern Road; this was discussed and Jim said he could get Matt Sanders information on where slow children playing signs could be purchased.
Lynne asked Jim to get the intersections mowed since school would be starting soon.
Lynne made a motion to give all of the Commissioners permission to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for State Farm and the Meeks Law Firm on August 8th, Jeff seconded and all approved.
At 7:22, Nick made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
08/13/2019, Approved Date
Governor Kelly Applauds KDADS Expansion of HCBS Brain Injury Waiver;
Services to now include individuals age 16 years and older with traumatic or acquired brain injury
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is pleased to announce the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved its Brain Injury Waiver to include both acquired and traumatic brain injuries for individuals ages 16 years and older.
“Secretary Howard and her team at KDADS have accomplished what is a true collaboration between her agency and interested stakeholders and community partners,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I believe expanding inclusion for this wavier will positively impact many Kansans and I’m grateful for the time and effort so many people put into making it happen.”
In accordance with a legislative proviso, the expanded waiver makes eligible for services under the traumatic brain injury home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver under the Kansas medical assistance program (KanCare):
“Working with the legislature and collaborating with partners is part of my team’s commitment to continue the long-standing leadership in home and community-based services people expect from KDADS,” Secretary Howard said. “We will continue to look at and talk about innovative ways to approach waiver renewals from a people-first perspective.”
KDADS plans to submit an amendment to CMS later this year to include children younger than age 16 years. Kansas is the first state to propose including children in its brain injury waiver.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: August 20th, 2019
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
10:00-10:30-Terry Sercer-2020 Budget
10:30-10:35-2019 Primary Election Tie Breaker
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
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
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
AUGUST 20, 2019
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 6th, 2019.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1244-A totaling $338,300.97.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE: Terry Sercer – 2018 Audit Presentation
Zach Adams – Waggoner Group Update
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:00 p.m. – 2020 Budget Hearing – Adoption of 2020 Budget
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 123 S. National – Shiney Studio – Replacement of Roof
Consideration of approval to purchase Pumper Truck – Fire Dept.
Consideration to secure financing for the Pumper Truck
Consideration of street closing – Wreath Ride – August 24th
Consideration of approval to rebid Water Treatment Plant clarifier – painting and sand blasting
Consideration of Resolution of Intent – Purpose of Financing or Refinancing the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping senior living – Presbyterian Manors, Inc.
IX. COMMENTS:
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