Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Who Is On The Ballot? Who Can Vote?

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The Bourbon County Courthouse, where the votes are tabulated.

Tuesday, July 17 is the last day to register to vote in the clerk’s office for the Kansas primary election August 7, 2018.

This registration is for first-time voters or to update if there is an address or name change, according to an election official.

“Primaries in Kansas are partisan elections,” Whitney Ball, Bourbon County Election Deputy said. “People have to be registered either as a Republican or Democrat.”

“If a person is an unaffiliated voter, you can’t vote in the primary election, ” she said. “But if you want to, you can affiliate.”

In the general election, Nov. 6, 2018, anyone can vote.

The Bourbon County Clerk’ office is on the second floor of the courthouse and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There will be a candidate forum July 31 at Fort Scott High School Auditorium, 1005 S. Main, for the public, from 6 to 8 p.m. Questions to the candidates are requested prior to the event by contacting the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 223-3566.

The following is the State of Kansas Official Primary Election roster for national, state, county and precinct  offices to be voted on  in the primary election.

There are several positions with multiple candidates.

All the Democrat Party candidates are listed first, followed by the Republican Party candidates in the second list.

These are the Democratic Party candidates:
NATIONAL OFFICES
For United States House of Representatives, 2nd District
Paul Davis, Lawrence,

STATE OFFICES

For Governor/Lieutenant Governor

Arden Andersen/Dale Cowsert ,Olathe/Overland Park;
Jack Bergeson/Alexander Cline, Wichita/Wichita,
Carl Brewer/Chris Morrow, Wichita/Gardner,
Laura Kelly/Lynn Rogers, Topeka/Wichita,;
Joshua Svaty/Katrina Gier Lewison,Topeka/Manhattan

For Secretary of State

Brian “BAM” McClendon, Lawrence

For Attorney General

Sarah G. Swain. Lawrence

For State Treasurer

Marci Francisco, Lawrence

For Commissioner of Insurance

Nathaniel McLaughlin, Kansas City

For Kansas House of Representatives, 4th District

Lawrence Forbach, Mound City

For Member, State Board of Education, District 9

Write-in

COUNTY OFFICES
For County Commissioner District 1

Clinton L. Walker, Mapleton

For County Treasurer
(Unexpired Term)
Write-in

For County Attorney
(Unexpired Term)
Write-in

PRECINCT
For Precinct Committeeman
1st Ward

Write-in

 

Republican
NATIONAL OFFICES
For United States House of Representatives, 2nd District

Steve Fitzgerald,Leavenworth
Kevin Jones, Wellsville
Doug Mays,Topeka
Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha
Caryn Tyson, Parker
Steve Watkins, Topeka
Vernon J. Fields, Basehor

STATE OFFICES
For Governor/Lieutenant Governor

Jim Barnett/Rosie Hansen, Topeka/Topeka
Jeff Colyer/Tracey Mann, Overland Park/Salina
Kris Kobach/Wink Hartman, Lecompton/Rose Hill
Patrick “PK”Kucera/Patricia Reitz, Overland Park/Shawnee
Tyler Ruzich/Dominic Scavuzzo Prairie Village/Leawood
Ken Selzer/Jen Sanderson, Leawood/Goodland
Joseph Tutera Jr./Phillip Clemente, Mission Hills/Mission Woods

For Secretary of State

Randy Duncan, Salina
Keith Esau, Olathe
Craig McCullah, Topeka
Scott Schwab, Olathe

Dennis Taylor, Topeka

For Attorney General

Derek Schmidt, Independence

For State Treasurer

Jake LaTurner, Topeka

For Commissioner of Insurance

Vicki Schmidt, Topeka
Clark Shultz, Lindsborg

For State Senator, 13th District
(Unexpired Term)

Richard Hilderbrand, Galena

For Kansas House of Representatives, 4th District

Trevor Jacobs, Fort Scott

Jim Porter, Fredonia

COUNTY OFFICES

For County Commissioner
District 1
Lynne D. Oharah, Uniontown
Robert Query, Fort Scott
Matthew J. Crystal, Fort Scott

For County Treasurer
(Unexpired Term)

Patricia S. Love, Fort Scott

For County Attorney
(Unexpired Term)

Jacqie Spradling, Spring Hill

PRECINCT
For Precinct Committeeman
1st Ward

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Minutes of July 3

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of July 3, 2018 Regular Meeting #13

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held July 3rd, 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, Denton Wescoat, Deb Needleman, Billy Keith, Darrell Parker, Travis Shelton, Rebecca Todd, Jackie Neale, Bob Duncan, Silas Todd, Diana Morriss, Deb McCoy, Larry Gazaway, Michael Mix, Dave Bruner, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, and Clayton Miller.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1218-A totaling $776,247.88.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

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

limit per citizen) –

Bob Duncan – Mr. Duncan read a portion of Rhonda Dunn’s letter that was sent to him regarding the code footprint for the Beaux Arts Center. The letter stated that they would have 30 days to have a plan submitted to accomplish what was needed to be in compliance. He said that they had no choice but to close their business. He stated that the code footprint is incorrect and the City needs to fix it.

Rebecca Todd – Ms. Todd said that she is the daughter of the owner of the Beaux Arts Center. She has been a resident of Fort Scott since 2009. She believes a City should be business friendly to help build a better economy, but she says that this City has done the opposite. The City has made it impossible for a small business to recover and will not work with them. She believes this whole situation could have been avoided. She ended with shame on the Board, business development, and the City Council.

Billy Keith – Mr. Keith asked about the demolition of the old Driller’s Bar that is occurring where the demolition company is digging a hole and burying the debris.

Rhonda Dunn stated that they have a permit from the State of Kansas and it is legal.

Mr. Keith also asked about the Stout building and if the City could hire the Amish to come in and gut the whole building and save the building.

City Manager said that a deal is being worked out with the property owner on this building and that it will more than likely come down. It will be used for a parking lot.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Approval of Code of Conduct Policy for Buck Run Community Center – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that there is currently not a code of conduct policy at Buck Run Community Center. This policy will provide the staff with rules to back them up when dealing with inappropriate behavior. This code of conduct will be posted throughout the center and will also be included with the forms that the fitness center members are required to sign. Approval was recommended.

Parker moved to approve the Code of Conduct for Buck Run Community Center. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER.

  1. Approval of Motor Vehicle Report Policy for City employees – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that many of the City positions require the employee to drive a City vehicle and the job descriptions state the employee must have a valid driver’s license and meet the City’s driving history requirements. We have never had a policy on what those driving history requirements entail. She worked with the City’s insurance carrier, KCAMP, to develop the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. All City employees driving records will also be reviewed annually which has not be done in the past. Approval was recommended.

Nichols moved to approve the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT POLICY.

  1. Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are a few haulers that haul grease in Bourbon County. The City’s plant is not set up to process grease.

City Manager suggested drafting up the letter and sharing it with the Commission and it could be voted on at the next meeting.

  1. Approval of contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services for repairs at the water and wastewater treatment plants – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are several miscellaneous masonry repairs that need completed at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities. He asked for approval for the engineering contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services in the amount not to exceed $15,470.00.

City Attorney said that since these are repairs that it would not need to go out for bid. It is not new construction. The City can take bids on the different items that need fixed at the plants and award accordingly without having the repairs engineered.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: None

B. City Commission:

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Nichols – Nothing to report.

Parker – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. Director of Finance: Remarked that he gave each Commissioner a budget notebook and asked them to review it. There will be a budget work session at 4:30 p.m. on July 17th, 2018 before the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Fireworks – City Manager said that there have been many calls about fireworks being shot off other than on the 4th of July. The 4th of July is the only day waived in the City limits of Fort Scott. He thanked the Police and Fire Departments for getting everything set up for tonight’s fireworks display. The City is the only one authorized to shoot off fireworks on July 3rd inside the City limits.

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:24 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on July 17th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission Meeting July 17

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

JULY 17, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Introduction of Drug Dog, Mozzie

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1219-A totaling $375,841.80.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

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

per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:15 p.m. Resolution 31-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe

and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 608 S.

Broadway Street

6:15 p.m. Resolution 32-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe

and dangerous structure located at 1914 E. Wall Street

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Wastewater Facility Inspection Review
  1. Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County
  1. Consideration of appointment to Fort Scott Public Library Board
  1. Adoption of 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3536
  1. Approval to solicit bids for a mower at Airport/Parks

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman

Larry Gazaway

Dave Bruner

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. Director of Finance:
  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

Government, Kansas

DCF:Community Relations and Outreach Staff Placement

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DCF Enacts Changes to Improve Community Relations, Foster Care Recruitment

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce the relocation of five staff to improve community relations and outreach. The staff, previously located in the DCF Administration Office in Topeka, Kan., are now being strategically placed across the state to create meaningful community relationships, and to focus on targeted foster care recruitment.

Effective July 1, 2018, staff were placed in specific counties that have a high number of young people in foster care. In the next two months, two more staff will start with the agency to assist with foster care recruitment as well. Additionally, the team will be working with community partners, schools, faith-based organizations and others to discuss effective prevention programs to serve the families in each community.

“We are working diligently to strengthen numerous things at our agency—our community outreach being one of them,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “Having more staff in the communities will allow us to foster positive, beneficial relationships to best serve the children and families of Kansas.”

Additionally, the Foster Kansas Kids website, an initiative funded by DCF, now features an interactive map that helps connect interested families with Child Placing Agencies (CPA’s) and other foster care organizations in their county. From there, individuals can click on specific agency names to learn more about each organization in their area.

The website also features a live-chat function, a comprehensive calendar of foster care events across the state, foster parent and former youth-in-care blogs and an extensive resources page that features frequently asked questions and a video library.

“I agree wholeheartedly with Secretary Meier-Hummel’s decision to improve community outreach and make foster care recruitment a community effort,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “Together, we can rally in each of our communities to support and care for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please visit www.fosterkskids.org or call 1-844-380-2009. To stay up to date on foster care in Kansas, follow Foster Kansas Kids on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Dept. Of Commerce Launches Online Business Magazine

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Kansas Commerce launches KansasCentral.com, an Online Business and Economic Development Magazine

 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new online magazine loaded with news and feature articles on business and economic development topics in Kansas. KansasCentral.com is aimed to keep Kansans and anyone interested in starting, relocating or expanding a business in Kansas informed of topics and opportunities in the state.

“It has been exciting to see so many businesses decide to expand to Kansas or start new operations here in America’s heartland, creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “KansasCentral.com will not only keep everyone informed of breaking news of companies locating in Kansas but will share success stories of thriving businesses in our state.”

KansasCentral.com features three main content areas: News, Events and Features.

  • The News section will constantly be updated with breaking business and economic development news, such as business expansions throughout the state and new or updated programs to assist businesses of all sizes be successful in Kansas.
  • The Events section will highlight upcoming conferences, workshops, job fairs, etc. that will be beneficial to entrepreneurs, business executives, employers and job seekers across the state.
  • The Features section will include success stories, video interviews, and articles about programs available through the Department of Commerce and other agencies that will benefit Kansas businesses or those considering locating in the state.

 

WATCH: KansasCentral intro video

 

Both the News and Features sections also offer the ability for readers to easily find information specific to industries they are interested in, such as Aviation, Agriculture, Bio-Science and Energy.

“There are many great stories to tell of why Kansas is the best place in the country to do business, along with a steady stream of good news to share,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We hope KansasCentral will quickly become a must-visit website for anyone interested in business and economic opportunities in our state.”

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Annual Flushing/Burnout Starts July 16 in Bourbon County

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City of Fort Scott 2018 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our annual flushing/ free Cl2 burnout process.

When: Starting on Monday, July 16 and lasting approximately four weeks.

Where: Fort Scott – this will affect the majority of Bourbon County.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These naturally occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnout. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice City personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the City during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout, you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however, most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water to which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality of life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Business, Government, Kansas

Tax Credits For Investors In Kansas Innovative Emerging Businesses

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$5 million still available for innovative emerging businesses through Kansas Angels program

 

TOPEKA – Five million dollars in tax credits are still available to investors in innovative emerging businesses in Kansas through the Kansas Angel Tax Credit (KAITC) program. The program offers Kansas income tax credits to qualified individuals who provide seed-capital financing for emerging Kansas businesses engaged in the development, implementation, and commercialization of innovative technologies, products, and services.

The KAITC Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and designed to bring together accredited angel investors with qualified Kansas companies seeking seed and early-stage investment. The Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit act was established to facilitate the availability of equity investment in businesses in the early stages of commercial development and to assist in the creation and expansion of Kansas businesses, which are job- and wealth-creating enterprises.

 

How does it work?

 

The KAITC program grants tax credits against the Kansas income tax liability of investors investing in these startup ventures. With the primary goal of encouraging individuals to provide seed-capital financing for emerging, Kansas businesses engaged in the development, implementation, and commercialization of innovative technologies, products, and services.

Applications for certification will be accepted only for Kansas businesses in the seed and early-stage rounds of financing.

Companies must meet the following criteria to be certified as a Qualified Kansas Business:

  1. The business has a reasonable chance of success and potential to create measurable employment within Kansas.
  2. In the most recent tax year of the business, annual gross revenue was less than $5,000,000.
  3. Businesses that are not Bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than five years; bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than 10 years.
  4. The business has an innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
  5. The existing owners of the business have made a substantial financial and time commitment to the business.
  6. The securities to be issued and purchased are qualified securities.
  7. The company agrees to adequate reporting of business information to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
  8. The ability of investors in the business to receive tax credits for cash investments in qualified securities of the business is beneficial because funding otherwise available for the business is not available on commercially reasonable terms.
  9. Each applicant must sign a Qualified Company Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

 

Who are Angel Investors?

Angel investors are either individuals or groups looking to make an investment in new or existing businesses. The incentive for such investments is that they may yield a higher return than other methods of investing.

Most angel investors are entrepreneurs who have had their own business succeed in part due to such investments.

Only accredited angel investors can qualify for the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit by investing in Kansas Department of Commerce certified Kansas businesses.

  • The tax credit is 50% of the investor’s cash investment into a qualified Kansas Business
  • The tax credit may be used in its entirety in the taxable year in which the cash investment was made
  • The Tax Credits are transferable
  • If the amount of the credit exceeds the investors’ liability in any one taxable year the remaining portion of the credit may be carried forward until the total amount of credit is used
  • Investors can receive tax credits up to $50,000 in tax credits per company they invest in, not to exceed $250,000 in one year
  • If investing through a permitted entity, all the equity owners of the permitted entity must be accredited investors.

Certification of companies must meet mandates established by Kansas statute to allow accredited Angel Investors to receive the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit.

Applications for companies seeking investment are accepted through August 31, 2018. For complete information on the Kansas Angels Initiative, visit http://kansasangels.com.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda July 10

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: July 10th, 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-Ben Cole

10:00-10:15-Patty Love

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

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

1:30-Lora Holdridge-Staff in her office-Executive Session

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

Airport, Fort Scott, Government

Airport Receives Two Grants To Update

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Fort Scott Airport runway.

In June, the Fort Scott City Commission approved a Kansas Department of Transportation grant in the amount of $109,600 for the Automated Weather Observation Station upgrades at the airport with the city match of $12,118.

Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt, along with Fort Scott Airport Director Kenny Howard informed the commission that the city received this and another grant from K.D.O.T.

Howard stated that the A.W.O.S. upgrade is badly needed at the Airport as the current system is about 19 years old, according to the meeting minutes.

“The A.W.O.S. is the on-field reporter of weather, visibility, etc.,” Howard said.

Fort Scott Airport Office.

The other grant received from K.D.O.T. is for lighting the runway, Howard said.

The PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicators) and REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) Grant from KDOT is for runway lighting at the airport in the amount of $177,462. The city match for the grant is $19,718.

The commission discussed the airport 2,100-foot runway extension and how this lighting would be affected, according to the minutes.

Kenny stated that the grant can be delayed if the runway extension occurs within the next two years.

“We are waiting for more grant money for the extension,” Howard said.”The design for the runway extension is not completed yet.”

Pruitt stated that she is applying for another grant for the extension July.

The office and pilots lounge of the Fort Scott Airport.

Government, Kansas

Bourbon County In A Drought Watch

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Governor Updates Drought Declarations in Kansas Counties

The Governor’s Drought Team examines continued drought conditions as summer temps climb.

Topeka – While there have been some recent rains, drought conditions for many areas of Kansas continue to worsen.  Today Governor Jeff Colyer updated the Drought Declaration for Kansas counties with Executive Order 18-16 (attached).  The update includes all 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status. This order places nearly half of Kansas counties in an emergency drought status.

“Kansans need to know no matter where you live in the state, the drought is not over,” said Governor Jeff Colyer.  “I’ve heard many concerns from producers and have seen the conditions first hand. We appreciate our federal partners at the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts— when we asked them to identify additional sources of assistance they responded quickly to help producers address these extreme drought conditions.”

The updated drought declaration has 50 counties in emergency status, 27 in warning status while 28 counties are in watch status. This action was recommended by Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

“With reported livestock water shortages, low flows at some of our reservoirs and monthly outlooks favoring persistent drought we know it’s imperative to monitor conditions closely,” said Tracy Streeter. “Some areas of Kansas are behind more than 15 inches in moisture for the year and outlooks favor above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in July.”

Counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes due to the KWO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife (KDWPT). They also become eligible for water in some Federal reservoirs.

Individuals and communities need to contact KWO for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. They will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permit to withdraw the water.

This Executive Order and any authorized upgrade shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order or superseded by a subsequent Executive Order revising the drought stage status of the affected counties. Effective immediately:

  • Declare a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties identified below;
  • Authorize and direct all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch or warning level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the drought has on Kansans.

For more detailed information about current conditions, see the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report on the Kansas Water Office website at www.kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Barber, Barton, Butler, Chase, Clark, Clay, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Geary, Grant, Gray, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morris, Morton, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie,  Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Wabaunsee

Drought Warning: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Brown, Chautauqua, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Ellis, Franklin, Greeley, Jackson, Jefferson, Lane, Leavenworth, Montgomery, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Rush, Russell, Scott, Trego, Wallace, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson

Drought Watch: Bourbon, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Cloud, Crawford, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Linn, Logan, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Washington, Wyandotte

Note to Editor:  The Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12101), requires the Kansas Water Office to print the reasonable accommodations messages.

# # #

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.

Entertainment, Government

Friday Night Concert

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Cherry Jammers from Cherry Grove Baptist Church, rural Fort Scott, performed during the Friday Night Concert.

The weekly summer Friday Night Concert at Heritage Park, 1st and Main streets, downtown, was moved indoors July 6 because of the heat. Temperatures were in the 90s.

The Cherry Jammers, a singing group from Cherry Grove Baptist Church, performed in the basement of the First United Methodist Church, Third Street and National Avenue, instead.