Kansas Department of Transportation work on 69 Hwy. as seen from Eagle Road earlier in the expansion project.
The U.S.Hwy 69 expansion in Bourbon County is nearing completion.
“The four lanes should be completed within the next two to three weeks,” Priscilla Peterson, Public Affairs Manager, Southeast Kansas Department of Transportation said. “Although both north- and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane to allow the contractor to finish work on the median and shoulders.”
It is projected that the four-lane section will be open to unrestricted traffic by mid to late June, she said.
“A ribbon cutting is in the works for late June, although we don’t yet have an exact date,” Peterson said.
The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state years-of-service anniversaries in June. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.
Only Two Weeks Left to Apply to be a Vital Voice for Kansas Water Resources
The Kansas Water Office is currently accepting applications from those who would like to participate as a member of one of the 14 Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) which are established by the Kansas Water Authority (KWA). Interested individuals are encouraged to apply soon as the deadline is only two weeks away.
These committees play a key role in advising the KWA on implementation of each region’s water supply priorities as part of the Kansas Water Vision and the Kansas water planning process as a whole. They help identify and provide input on other emerging water resource related issues and concerns. The committee selection process will ensure all of the water users and interests within the region are represented.
Kansans can have a definite lasting impact on the future of water resources through RAC membership.Interested persons can apply at www.kwo.ks.gov. The application deadline is May 31, 2019.
Note to Editor: The Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12101) requires the Kansas Water Office to print the reasonable accommodations messages.
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As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.
The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation.
The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Those citizens who desire to serve their communities by serving in local government bodies must file at the Bourbon County Courthouse by June 3 and pay the filing fee or start a petition to get a certain amount of qualified votes to support you. The fees and petition votes vary per community.
The following information is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason.
NOTICE OF THE 2019 BOURBON COUNTY ELECTION AND POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION
A petition signed by no less than 5 qualified electors of Fulton for Fulton.
(Fulton-all positions are 2 year terms.)
Filing deadline is noon June 3rd, 2019.
Filing location is with the Bourbon County Clerk, 210 S. National, Fort Scott, KS.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor & more than 15 qualified candidates file for council then there will be a Primary on August 6, 2019.
Any person wishing to file for any office must be a qualified elector of the corresponding City or School District.
If filing by petition, the petition has to be turned in within 180 days after the first signature was collected, but not later than noon June 3rd, 2019.
Governor directs flags to be lowered in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day
In recognition of the National Peace Officers Memorial Day on Wednesday, May 15, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on May 15. President Donald J. Trump also issued a flag directive honoring National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
“Each year we recognize law enforcement officers for putting service above self to protect fellow Kansans,” Kelly said. “I have a deep appreciation for these officers and their families – and on behalf of the State of Kansas, thank them for their commitment.”
H.J. Res. 730, P.L. 87-726 designates May 15 of each year as National Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
11:15-11:20-Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
11:20-11:25-Tax Sale
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-2:00-Will Wallis-Resolution Adoption
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
The terms of three members of the Fort Scott City Commission will expire in January 2020.
Individuals interested in becoming a candidate for the Fort Scott City Commission election are asked to contact the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office located in the Bourbon County Courthouse at 210 S. National in Fort Scott, Kansas, or by phone at 620-223-3800.
The deadline to file as a candidate is 12:00 Noon on Monday, June 3rd, 2019.
Qualified candidates must be registered voters and residents of the City of Fort Scott at the time of the election. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected].
The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, May 16th, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
Veto Session, which is a time to finish up business, was a bit of a four day roller coaster. Promises made, some kept and others – well it is what gives politics a negative connotation.
Budget: Spending that was approved in Senate Bill (SB) 26 is approximately $7.7 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, an increase of $600 million. Since 2013 State expenditures have increased over $3 billion. That is a 19% increase in less than 7 years. There were some good things in the budget but I could not support this out-of-control spending. The vote was 26 Yes to 14 No.
Tax: House Bill (HB) 2033 was another attempt to pass legislation that would address the state income tax increases that occurred as a result of the 2017 federal income tax changes by allowing Kansas taxpayers the option to itemize and defining tax rates for money earned offshore and brought to Kansas. Since the Governor vetoed the last attempt, the bill included other items to “sweeten” the deal. Finney County would be approved for a sales tax increase, sales tax on food would be lowered by 1%, vendors would be required to collect on-line sales tax, and small business owner would be able to expense items at a rate similar to corporate expensing laws. Similar, because corporate expensing law would be changed to restrict the deduction to 100% of the purchase price. Currently, corporations can expense at a value greater than the purchase price. HB 2033 would allow small businesses and corporations to only deduct 100% of the item. The bill passed 27 to 13. I voted Yes.
Transportation: Several transportation topics were covered in SB 63. The bill would allow a city to adopt an ordinance to allow Uber or similar company drivers to display a lighted sign so that a ride is easily identified. Crimes have been committed when people got into cars they thought was their ride but it wasn’t. The bill would allow All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Utility-Task Vehicles (UTV) to cross federal or state highways. The bill would also authorize transparent material that blocks the sun’s ultraviolet rays on a vehicle’s windshield. The Senate position would have had no restrictions but the House wanted a doctor’s signed statement saying there is a medical need for the material. The House position was upheld so that if a person installs the material and is issued a citation, they have 60 days to produce a doctor’s statement. The bill passed the Senate unanimously.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Governor Kelly highlights progress to rebuild Kansas Outlines successes of first legislative session of heradministration
Highlighting the significant progress made to rebuild Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly outlined the major accomplishments of her first legislative session as governor during a press conference this morning.
“We came into quite a mess in January. We’ve worked tirelessly to rebuild our state, so we can efficiently and effectively deliver the services Kansans expect,” Kelly said. “A lot of progress has been made, but we still have work to do.”
Kelly highlighted funding for public schools as her most notable accomplishment. The passage of bipartisan legislation resulted in $90 million more for schools, in addition to the $800 million added over the last two years. These investments have the potential to put an end to the cycle of litigation around this issue.
“As I’ve said, I will be the education governor Kansas deserves,” Kelly said. “This legislation represents a significant investment in the future of our students and our state.”
The governor also noted the steps taken to repair Kansas’ foster care system. The Legislature endorsed the governor’s budget proposal to align Kansas guidelines with the Family First Prevention Services Act, allowing the state to draw down millions in federal funds to help families before they need support from the foster care system.
“I’m pleased that the Legislature approved funding for 42 new social workers, so we can reduce caseloads and better serve vulnerable children and their families,” Kelly said.
Kelly also began the process of reducing transfers from the “Bank of KDOT,” the money from the state’s highway transportation program. Previously, this fund was used by the Legislature in past years to pay for programs unrelated to the transportation needs of the state.
“The State Highway Fund is one of Kansas’ most important job-creating tools,” Kelly said. “After years of fiscal crisis, we are finally using the state’s infrastructure dollars to fund infrastructure projects, instead of paying for failed tax policy.”
The governor also established the Office of Rural Prosperity during this first legislative session.
“Those are just a few of many highlights from this legislative session,” Kelly said. “And to top it all off, as promised, we accomplished all of this without a tax increase.”
The governor also noted key areas of concern during the press conference. She emphasized the importance of continued fiscal restraint, the corrections emergency left to address, and the disappointing lack of a Medicaid expansion vote.
“Because of Senate leadership, thousands of Kansans will go without healthcare for yet another year,” Kelly said. “For some, a year without healthcare can very well mean the difference between life and death. I want Kansans to know they have a champion in the Governor’s office who will keep fighting alongside them until we win this fight – no matter how long it takes.”
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman met with the Commissioners; Jim reported they are ditching at the Industrial Park, drilling at the Beth Quarry and blasting there next week. Jim said they will not have much rock surplus from the Thomas Quarry since they are hauling rock out as fast as they are producing it.
Jeff Fischer reported a call from the USD 234 school district bus superintendent with a safety concern on 195th near Rock Creek, Jeff said the base to the road is gone and there are potholes and drainage issues there. Jeff made a motion due to a safety concern and due to the base failure to reclaim from the bridge on 195th south to approximately Jayhawk Road for approximately ¼ mile, Jeff said they are not committing to repave this road this year, but may consider at a later date, Lynne seconded and all approved.
There was a discussion over who is responsible for maintaining Justice Lane, Marco Estates & Rocher Addition (on 225th). The Commissioners met with Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge and asked her to review if and when the County had accepted a road dedication and the maintenance responsibility of the following roads… Justice Lane, Marco Estates, Rocher Addition, Williams Street (near the Fort Scott Middle School), Ironwood and Golf view.
Lynne discussed a portion of Unique Road between 85th & 95th; he said the prior minutes did not reflect this as a closed road. Lynne said he felt they should close the road since it is not a through road. Jim Harris said according to the 1929 & 1933 maps this is not a road to close. Lynne made a motion to go into a10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Shane Walker, Justin Meeks, Jerad Heckman, Jim Harris and Kendell Mason). No action was taken. Jim Harris said he goes by Shane Walker’s maps when reviewing roads. Shane Walker suggesting using a road classification system by population when maintaining gravel roads.
Matt Crystal met with the Commissioners to discuss the proposed County-wide NRP program; Justin Meeks told him the program is still pending. Matt asked if he started construction today would he be grandfathered in the program, Justin said yes; Justin said once it is setup he hoped all of the entities would be participating in the County-wide NRP program, but said it could be setup with just the County participating.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 30 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 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.
At 11:48, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Jeff seconded and all approved.
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.
Lynne 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 Kendell Mason). No action was taken.
Justin Meeks discussed the tax sale; he said he has had several people contact him wanting to donate their property to the Land Bank.
At 3:37, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.
