The county commission received an update from Public Works Director, Kenny Allen
Public works status update – Kenny Allen
Allen said his department needs to lease a new grader for $54,000 per year, 4.99% interest rate, warranted. The lease will be for a Foley Equipment CAT. All preventative maintenance will be done by the leasing company. Public Works has the budget for it. The commission approved the lease.
The City of Fort Scott is asking for a city-wide cleanup discount. Allen suggested they use a half-price voucher system for dumping at the county transfer station. Commissioner Mika Milburn asked if it could be a county-wide program. The commission agreed to continue the discussion.
The commissions signed the second phase paperwork for the bridge on Jayhawk.
Asphalt plant update: Greg Dishman from Wright Asphalt came to look at the damaged tank. and called in Adam from Blevens, who will come meet up with Allen to evaluate it. Adam suspects that the asphalt tank is out of date by a couple of decades. One option is purchasing a used tank.
The old tank contains more than $31,000 in oil right now.
They talked about fixing the tank this year, focusing on gravel and chip and seal roads rather than laying asphalt, then start laying asphalt next year.
Executive session with commissioners to discuss non-elected personnel issues 40 minutes.
Returned to regular session with no action.
Citizens Comments
Derek Ranes on Bitcoin: Checked to see if the county was getting his emailed noise complaints. They are. He said the noise is getting louder. He suspects they are acquiring more gas wells, and it looks like they’re expanding the facility across the road from his house.
“It’s getting kinda tough to get some sleep,” Ranes said.
The commission discussed the moratorium.
Old Business
Budget Strategy – Beerbower
Commissioner David Beerbower asked Commissioner Gregg Motley how the recent work session is leading the county to a budget strategy for 2026.
Motley said that the purpose of the questions used in the budget work session was to clarify values of the commission, which gives the budget makers information to make the budget.
Milburn asked Sheriff Bill Martin how Baker Tilly has helped his department create goals and budget accordingly. Martin responded that Baker Tilly should have been at the table to answer the questions at the meeting where the commission decided not to hire them to help build the county’s budget.
Samuel Tran asked him if Baker Tilly had been helpful to his department. Martin said his professional opinion is that they are. This is the second year the sheriff’s department has used Baker Tilly to advise on their finances.
Tran said he asked Ben Hart of Baker Tilly if his firm is allowed to audit the county and was told they are allowed.
Tran, Motley, and Martin discussed various types of audits and whether or not Baker Tilly can audit the county.
Motley reiterated his objection to hiring Baker Tilly on the basis of sending money outside of Bourbon County needlessly.
“That’s the opposite of economic development,” he said.
Motley then made a motion to hire Baker Tilly to do the budget process for Bourbon County as a fractional CFO, adopting the resolution that was voted down last meeting.
Beerbower asked several clarifying questions, including whether or not the process Motley started at the work session would include improving the efficiency of the Public Works department. Motley said that it would not, because one would need budget and public works expertise to accomplish that goal.
Joe Allen said he was in favor of having a conversation with Baker Tilly, but he wants to keep resources in the county, which is why he voted against the resolution in the last meeting. He was not comfortable adopting the resolution without hearing from Baker Tilly to hear what they have to offer that’s better than using the resources the county already has.
Tran pointed out that Baker Tilly is impartial and already working with the county in the Sheriff’s department.
Allen said that outsourcing sends a message of distrust to the employees of the county. He pointed out that training existing employees may be a good option.
Tran called for a vote and it passed. Beerbower, Tran, and Milburn voting for, Allen and Motley voting against.
County Technology & Network – Beerbower
Referring the the clerk, treasurer, and deeds offices setting up their own servers and emails, Beerbower expressed concerns about security and asked about wiring use.
Milburn said the handbook says all IT is under the county commission’s authority.
Tran said that going outside of the current construct of the county’s infrastructure prior to the completion of a long project is ill-advised. He sympathized with the desire to have their own server but expressed concern about budget creep.
He likened the network to a hotel, where each department has its own key for its room, but the county’s IT department, whomever it may be, has the master key for the whole hotel.
Standardizing programs and systems increases the security and minimizes the risks.
Tran said they cannot piggyback on the county’s system, in order to protect the county’s system from liability.
Beerbower said that in his several conversations with Stronghold he learned that cyber insurance could be affected by the change. There are also potential problems with the cabling and the .gov email addresses.
Beerbower said he would like the county clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds, as well as the two new county commissioners to receive the report on the health of the county’s IT system generated by Stronghold so they are aware of the situation and the work being done to improve the system.
Tran moved that any improvement or additions to the IT of the courthouse cease and desist until the commission can have a conversation including other elected officials and decide on the path forward. He excluded the current project with Stronghold.
Motion passed.
Tran said that he has information for the whole county. The county is only at 6% compliance with Microsoft 365. Stronghold plans to “slow roll” the change.
“If you have a glitch in your system, PLEASE call Stronghold,” Tran asked. The change started Friday, February 20.
Noise Resolution – Beerbower
The new resolution names the sanitation inspector as the new noise ordinance inspector. It also lists some equipment and training that will cost the county about $1000.
Milburn expressed concern about the department not having authority to enforce sanitation codes or noise ordinances.
He asked the commission to read it over to prepare for discussion at the meeting on Feb. 23.
Longevity Completion Announcement- Milburn
In January when the commission passed the handbook, it voted to remove longevity from it, but keep the longevity already in existence, by adding it to the hourly wages. Milburn said that process will be completed by the next cycle.
Tran said they are working on cost of living allowances and pay raises.
New Business
Executive Session Discussion – Allen
He said that executive sessions should be moved to the bottom of the agenda unless they involve visitors so that those in attendance at commission meetings aren’t waiting through all of the executive sessions for the rest of the meeting.
Allen also pointed out that the agenda is constantly being changed, but resolution 3425 says it should be locked in by noon on Friday to allow time for the commission to prepara.
Motley said he agrees and that it’s important that resolutions should not be brought in expecting a vote without giving the commission time to read them in advance.
Addition to Policy Manual – Milburn
She brought KCamps recommended additions, including ADA and lactation accommodations, FMLA policy, and the give the board the ability to change the policy manual.
The board approved the additions.
Beerbower said they should print the handbooks, one per employee and have them sign the receipt form. He also suggested training for the employees for each department to make them aware of the changes.
Tran said they should have HR come and train the commission and other leadership in the county, to enable them to train the county employees.
Motley suggested allowing electronic copies to be distributed.
Milburn said it is published on the county’s website.
Beerbower said that the training is the most important part, but he wants to offer printed copies to those who prefer that.
SEKRPC Board Meeting Report & CBDG Block Grant Seminar – Motley
The organization has grown to offer about $2 million in loans and grants.
Motley said he is excited about the possibilities the program offers to Bourbon County and plans to work on it throughout the year.
Emergency Manager Accounts and Access -Milburn
New Bourbon County Emergency Manager, Louella Howard
The commission passed a resolution giving her the position and also moved to get her a county email address and the other equipment she needs to do her job.
Commissioner Comments
Samuel Tran: There’s a lot of supervisors in the county right now that are agitated because Pay Entry has shut their people out. People have been putting their time and attendance in incorrectly. The executive assistant and Pay Entry locked it down. Supervisors are asked to go and look at each time card prior to it going in to PayEntry. The executive assistant will contact department heads to let them know what the situation.
Milburn said that recommendations were not to leave them unlocked for individual employees to change.
Sheriff Martin said that the issue should be laid at the feet of the department responsible for the error, rather than making all employees pay for the mistake of one.
Beerbower asked if PayEntry could come and offer training in how to use the program. Milburn said she would ask.
Gregg Motley: Exhorted the commission to look for ways to build bridges and improve moral.
Mika Milburn: Is excited about having drivers license moved to suite 10.