Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

Unapproved Minutes of the Uniontown City Council From May 13

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The Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

None

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the April 2025 financial reports.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for April was $323,763.55, Receipts $30,247.46, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $54,009.88, Checking Account Closing Balance $296,977.13. Bank Statement Balance $298,347.71, including Checking Account Interest of $64.45, Outstanding Deposits $0.00, Outstanding Checks $1,370.58, Reconciled Balance $296,977.13.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,072.00, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,822.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $44,900.89, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $402,772.28. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $251.23, and Utility CDs $640.47 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $891.70.  Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00 for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of April $26,786.42 Year-to-Date Net Income $33,113.39.  Appropriations to date for April 2025 are $31,355.12.

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Brad, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of April 9, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for April 2025 and the Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed, some repairs have been completed, he will contact owners about the other repairs needed

406 Fulton Street-letter sent to regarding nuisance vehicles, no reply at this time

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

Fire truck in park-he will apply an adhesive to the bolts

Mosquito spraying-will start soon

City Wide Dumpster-dumpster’s not as full as in the past and no complaints

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

Quickbook Online Course-attended May 8th, city office was closed.

Evergy is giving a presentation regarding the energy assistance program on 6/3/25 at 10 AM.

Fish Food has arrived.

Thank you card for the donation to the SOS.

Summer Food Program in June at the West Bourbon Elementary School.

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin – None

Councilman Kelly – stop signs needed at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of Fulton St, ask school if another pond signage regarding no parking at the East side of Pond

Councilwoman Pemberton – Zoning Public Forum meeting 5/14/25 at 6 PM

Councilwoman Pritchett – no ordinance about chicken and ducks

Councilman Stewart– Bolts needed for the Pond Dock

Mayor Jurgensen – Ruritan may help with the Public Restroom replacement and repairs

City fixed the sewer main, and this issue caused a citizen to have major flooding issues

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0 to accept paying for the citizen’s insurance deductible of $1,000.

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – work has started on the City Library and City Office, have new lighting in the City Office, and they have started the electrical work for the ceiling in the Library, and the Council stated to close office to the public during the 1st week of June to complete the City Office flooring, shelves, and new window.

 

FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering, and we have another new FEMA project manager.

 

Warehouse Insulation – is planned to start on May 13, and work has started today

 

Sidewalk-Ag Engineering preliminary study is completed. He stated that we will receive completed documentation when finalized.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 in regard to the East Sidewalk of the Square, send pictures and a letter to ask lawyer if we can proceed with replacing said sidewalk as we own it per survey

 

Park electric – CrawKan will do the boring for the electrical line needed for the park electric. We will wait to complete this when CrawKan has an opening in their schedule.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

New Ordinance No. 206-presented to Council for changes or approval.

 

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to approve the New Ordinance No. 206

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:39.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20.

 

Danea Esslinger called in at 8:40, out at 9:15.

 

 

ADJOURN Time 9:25 Moved by Ervin, 2nd Stewart, Approved 5-0

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Meets June 10 at 7 p.m.

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ROLL CALL:  ___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Sally Johnson – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of May 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
  2. May Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & May Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed

406 Fulton Street-letter sent to regarding nuisance vehicles & mowing sign on door

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

City Wide Garage Sales?

Modern Copy Systems–new maintenance agreement

Jayhawk Software Back Up vs Microsoft Office backup

Junk Vehicle Citation-2 certified letters sent/no pickup

Thank You Card-Kelly Droel

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilwoman Pritchett –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – work has started on the City Library and City Office

 

FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering

 

Warehouse Insulation – is completed at this time.

 

Sidewalk-Ag Engineering sent the completed documentation and bill.

-Lawyer Chase Vaughn response to replacing this sidewalk.

 

Park electric – CrawKan will do the boring for the electrical line needed for the park electric. We will wait to complete this when CrawKan has an opening in their schedule.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

Motion by _____________, Second by   __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 Attachments:

RS-6992

Lawyer reply to 206-208 Sherman Sidewalk

doc11391620250528092006

2025 Financials – May

 

Area News, Government

Apprehended: Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield

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~Mansfield was taken into custody by US Marshalls in KCMO~

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Anthony Mansfield, a minimum-custody resident of the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) has been apprehended.

Mansfield was taken into custody Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls in Kansas City, Missouri. He was arrested without incident.

Mansfield was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Will Hold a Special Board Meeting on June 5

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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 3:00 pm in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Agriculture Hall to conduct business needing addressed before the regularly scheduled meeting on June 16.  The Board will also adjourn to executive session(s) for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. 

 

 

 

Submitted by

Juley McDaniel

Director of Human Resources

Fort Scott Community College

Government, Kansas

New virtual self-help center connects Kansans with legal information, resources

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New virtual self-help center connects Kansans with legal information, resources

TOPEKA—The Kansas judicial branch has launched a new virtual self-help center for people involved in court cases who are not represented by an attorney.

The website, self-help.kscourts.gov, shares information, forms, and tools to help Kansans with district court processes.

“Our goal was to create a reliable electronic resource for people who are navigating the court system on their own,” said Sarah Hoskinson, chief of access to justice at the Office of Judicial Administration. “It’s to help people who don’t understand or aren’t familiar with court processes. It also helps district courts that serve people who come to court without an attorney.”

Benefits for court users

The virtual self-help center homepage has an “I need help with” section that features in-demand resources according to input from the legal community, district court clerks, and data from searches on the kscourts.gov website. Links connect visitors with court forms, where to pay a fine or fee, how to find a court hearing, where to conduct legal research, and more.

If someone needs information about a specific area of law, Hoskinson said the Topics section quickly connects them to key resources, including videos, forms, court timelines, and agencies.

“Bringing these key resources together gives Kansans a central source of information about court processes,” she said. “With general web searches, you must sift through results from many sources that may be out of date, inaccurate, or both.”

Efficiencies for district courts

The online self-help center also benefits district courts, especially those in smaller, rural counties.

“Some district courts maintain their own self-help information, but only if they have staff to manage it,” Hoskinson said. “The statewide virtual self-help center may fill an unmet need for some district courts, while creating efficiencies for others.”

Nyla Rogers, clerk of the Lyon County District Court, said the center will help her court provide essential information and guidance to the public.

“The virtual self-help center video guides are great at helping the public learn the processes for their specific situations to help them file the appropriate court documents,” Rogers said.

Joni Wilson, court administrator in the 18th Judicial District (Sedgwick County), said the center supports both the public and court staff helping them.

“People can’t always take time off work to visit the courthouse to get help with their case,” Wilson said. “The center allows our court to help the public no matter the time of day or day of the week.”

Building the site

Hoskinson said her team gathered information and resources from the Supreme Court Access to Justice Committee and the judges and court employees who serve as local access to justice liaisons in every judicial district.

She said committee members and court liaisons used their experience with access to justice issues to organize the resources and identify areas that needed updates or new resources.

Based on that work, the Information Services team in the Office of Judicial Administration designed and built the online self-help center.

“We shared the first version of the virtual self-help center with others in the legal community, district court staff, and key Supreme Court committees to get their feedback,” Hoskinson said. “Their knowledge and experience in the different topical areas helped us refine and organize the content.”

Chief Judge Kevin Berens of the 15th Judicial District (Cheyenne, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, and Wallace counties) chairs the Access to Justice Committee. He noted that publishing the online self-help center has long been a committee goal.

“The committee discussed the need for this resource for some time. The Office of Judicial Administration Information Services team helped us turn that vision into reality. It is a practical and important resource for self-represented parties and other court users,” Berens said.

Berens also credits support from the Supreme Court Rural Justice Initiative Committee, Ad Hoc Committee on Best Practices for Eviction Proceedings, Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution, and Language Access Committee.

“This was a collaborative effort among many members in our legal community, and, with their continued help, we hope to improve this resource in the coming years,” he said.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Collections Up 32% in May

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May Total Tax Collections Over $657M;
31.7% Above Estimate


TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends May 2025 with total tax collections at $657.7 million. That is $158.3 million, or 31.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 0.2% from May 2024.

“Surpassing estimates this month is a positive indicator, but we remain diligent and focused on maintaining long-term financial health,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

Individual income tax collections were $314.7 million. That is $144.7 million, or 85.1% above the estimate, and up 3.1% from May 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $29.2 million. That is $840,880, or 2.8% below the estimate, and down 26.8% from May 2024.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $282.1 million, which is $11.1 million, or 4.1% above the estimate, with no change from May 2024.

Click here to view the May 2025 revenue numbers.

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Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

After passing the One Big Beautiful Bill last week, I was back in Kansas to observe Memorial Day and meet with constituents across the district. Nothing beats coming home!

Securing Disaster Relief for Kansas

We recently learned President Trump approved Kansas’s request for a federal disaster declaration following March’s severe storms that claimed the lives of at least 32 people across our region. We unfortunately suffered major damage right here in the Second District when the storm spread a brush fire to the nursing facility in Yates Center. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the facility suffered a total loss. The severe weather also caused additional damage and tragic loss of life when a dust storm in western Kansas caused a 70+ car pileup, claiming 8 lives and injuring nearly 50 people.

 

Last month, I joined my Kansas colleagues in encouraging President Trump to approve this declaration. The declaration is critically important, as it allows our impacted cities, counties, and select nonprofits to apply for special assistance from the federal government. The storm damaged nearly one-third of Kansas counties, and the state estimates up to $8.5 million of these storm damages are eligible to be repaired using federal funding.

 

Rebuilding our communities after severe weather events is never easy, but I’m confident we’ll continue to assist our fellow Kansans who were affected by these storms in any way we can. Though the federal declaration will go a very long way toward recovery, it’s still up to us to help our neighbors out during their time of need.

 

I’m thankful our state and federal leadership came together to secure these funding resources. I will always put the needs of Kansans first in Washington.

Protecting Americans from the Border Crisis

This week, our House Judiciary Committee announced we’re teaming up with the House Oversight Committee to investigate the Mayor of Nashville, TN, for blocking federal enforcement of immigration laws.

 

While this investigation is specific to Nashville, sanctuary city policies exist across our country. Several weeks ago, I highlighted how these policies weaken community safety, even in states that have outlawed them.
Video

The American people have been very clear: they’re sick of the open borders and lawlessness that defined the previous administration. As my colleagues and I work to conduct rigorous oversight to keep Americans safe, we must also codify President Trump’s commonsense executive orders.

 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided much needed funding for border security and the deportation of illegal aliens; however, turning these executive orders into laws is the only way to ensure a single administration can never again unilaterally endanger our country the way the previous one did.

Keeping Council Grove Lake Open for the Summer

Council Grove Lake is a popular spot for Kansans to boat, swim, camp, and relax during the summer months. Unfortunately, because the lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the lake’s operating status for the summer was recently in flux due to a staffing shortage stemming from the federal hiring freeze.

 

Thankfully, after I worked with the Trump Administration and Senator Jerry Moran, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll signed a hiring freeze exemption for the lake last week. The exemption will allow Council Grove to hire the necessary staff to keep the lake open all summer long.

 

I applaud the Department of Defense for their quick response, and I join Senator Moran in encouraging the Army Corps to hire these positions quickly so Kansans can enjoy their summer activities without interruption!

Continuing to Dismantle the Administrative State

Last week, the House continued to move America back toward energy independence by undoing another burdensome and unnecessary regulation imposed by the prior administration.

S.J. Res. 31 reverses the Biden-era “Once-in, Always-in” rule, which permanently classified industrial facilities as “major sources” of emissions. President Trump revoked this policy prior to leaving office after his first term; however, the Biden administration reinstated it during their last months in power.

 

The rule has two major negative effects: not only does it place unnecessarily high emissions standards on our energy producers, eliminating good-paying Kansas jobs and raising prices for consumers, it actually discourages our producers from lowering emissions. When the Trump Administration revoked the rule, it allowed energy producers who made significant investments in emission reduction to “reclassify,” moving them into a category which provides more emission standards flexibility and lowers the costs imposed on producers.

 

This rule is yet another example of how the heavy hand of government often stifles innovation, raises costs, and discourages innovation and investment for American producers. With the One Big Beautiful Bill now in the Senate’s hands, I hope to see the House move onto undoing many more of the previous administration’s rules in the coming weeks.

Second District NCAA Champions!

Congratulations to the Pittsburg State University Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams, who performed excellently at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships this past weekend in Colorado!

The men took home the championship by winning seven individual event national titles over the three-day meet, leading to a dominant win. This is Pitt State’s fourth consecutive men’s outdoor national championship victory and eighth overall track & field title (including two indoor titles this year and last year).

 

The women, meanwhile, placed third overall and took home Pitt State’s fourth straight top 10 outdoor national finish. This came after their MIAA Outdoor Conference Championship victory earlier this month.

 

Congratulations to both the men’s and women’s team for their outstanding performances! We’re blessed to have such an accomplished athletics program here in southeast Kansas.

I’ll return to Washington next week. With the One Big Beautiful Bill in the Senate’s hands, our focus is now codifying both President Trump’s executive orders and the DOGE cuts. Without congressional action, all the good work this administration has done so far could be wiped away with the stroke of a pen once someone new comes along.

 

We must not allow that to happen.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 2

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Bourbon County Commission Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Chambers 210 S National Ave.

June 2, 2025, 5:30 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
    1. Roll Call
    2. Pledge of Allegiance
    3. Prayer – David Beerbower
  2. Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes from 05.19.25
  1. Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of 05.23.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $53,886.11
    2. Approval of 05.30.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $143,253.12
    3. Approval of 05.30.25 Payroll Totaling $244,413.12
    4. Tax Roll Corrections
  2. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy for job performance with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the commission chambers. – Susan Walker & Selena Williams
  3. Health Benefits Update – Don Doherty
  • Cohen – Contractual Services for Municipalities – Milburn
  • Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship for litigation with _______ attending and will return at ______PM in the commission chambers.
  1. Old Business
    1. Department Updates
      1. Susan Walker-Employee Benefits
      2. Brian Allen-Disaster Proclamation
  • Eric Bailey
  1. Policy & Procedures
    1. Mission Statement – Milburn
    2. Workers Compensation – Beerbower
  • Mika Milburn-Resolution – Personal Improvement Plan, Corrective Action Plan, Formal Written Notice, Deviation Plan
  1. Zoning Discussion
  1. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
  2. New Business
    1. New Commission District 4 & 5 Term Limits – Milburn
    2. Path of Ease Association – Jennifer Simhiser
    3. Tri-Valley 2026 Budget Request
    4. City of Fort Scott 911 Agreement – Milburn/Brad Matkin
    5. Courthouse Repairs – Milburn
    6. NRP Discussion – Milburn
    7. Commissioner Comments
  • Adjournment

 

 

Future business that has been tabled in past meetings or planned for future meetings:

  • SEK Mental Health Budget
  • Juvenile Detention Budget
  • Office Restructuring Cost
  • Job Descriptions
  • Handbook Updated
  • Economic Development Direction
  • Dump Fees for Employees – June 9, 2025
  • Separation of Public Works and Landfill Departments – June 16, 2025

 

 

Ealyn Taylor – Anim

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for June 3

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

June 3, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

                                               

  1.     Call to Order/Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1385-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of May 15, 2025 – May 28, 2025 – $790,786.25
  4. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 20, 2025

 

  1. Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

  1. Cory Bryars/Care To Share – Overview of processes to support cancer fighters
  2. Jenni Simhiser/Founder of Path of EASE Association
  3. Ben Hart /BakerTilly – 2026 Budget Calendar

     

VIII.   Unfinished Business

  1. Consideration for Action on 118 E. Wall

 

  1. New Business

            Public Hearing:

  1. Petition for the Vacation of a Street – 761 S. Garrison – Lewis Nihiser

 

            Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 N. Main – La Hacienda – Window Replacement Pending Approval from SHPO – Lisa Dillon
  2. Consideration to Establish a Certified Local Government (CLG) – M. Wells
  3. Discussion of Business Directory – B. Matkin
  4. Consideration of Proposals for Project to Remodel (2) Bathrooms at Memorial Hall
  5. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – EEI No. 24-003B – Charles Street Lift Station – Additional Pipe and Fittings to Tie Into Existing Force Main – $1,448.96 – J. Dickman
  6. Consideration of Final Acceptance, Close Out of Project and Request to Pay Cardinal Sitework Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 1 – EEI No. 24-003B – Charles Street Lift Station – $68,161.51 – J. Dickman
  7. Consideration of Change Order No. 5 – Project No. 6 U-2455-01 – Horton St. & 6th Improvements – Heck & Wicker, Inc – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Final Measured Quantities through 5/24/25. All delays after substantial completion and through stormwater pollution prevention control inspections ending 6/14/2025 for (60) additional days. Decrease of this Change Order – $18,500.00 – J. Dickman
  8. Consideration of Request to Pay Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Project No. 6 U-2455-01 – Horton St. & 6th Improvements – Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 10-FINAL – $489,525.55 – J. Dickman

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. Adjourn
Fort Scott, Government

Volunteers Needed for FS Design Review Board

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Two openings for the City of Fort Scott Design Review Board:
must be a City resident:
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for the Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or cityclerk@fscity.org. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
Thank you,
Lisa Dillon