Bourbon County Planning Committee Agenda for 5:30PM Wednesday, February 11, 2026
1. Pledge
2. Roll
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of minutes from December 10th and January 14th, January 28th, February 4th
5. Discussion on RFP for Comprehensive Plan and Firms to submit to. The following list contains planning firms the planning commission feels the RFP for comprehensive plan RFP should be distributed to at a minimum:
- David Foster and associates
- Transystems
- Kendig Keast
- Confluence
- ETC Institute
- HalƯ
- Hoxi Collective
- MKEC
- Marvin Planning
- Olsson
- Shockey
- SSR
- Future IQ
- Miller & Associates
6. New Business
7. Public Comment
8. Next Meeting and Agenda
9. Adjournment
Bourbon County: Comprehensive Plan Development RFP (Request for Proposal) Summary
The Bourbon County Planning Commission is seeking proposals from professional planning consultants to develop the county’s first-ever comprehensive plan. This strategic document will guide coordinated development, land use, and zoning for the next decade.
Project Overview and Goals
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Purpose: To create a strategic framework for future development and informed zoning decisions pursuant to K.S.A. 12-747. (Page 1)
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Current Status: Bourbon County does not currently have a comprehensive plan. (Page 1)
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Target Area: Bourbon County, Kansas, including its rural areas and coordination with incorporated cities like Fort Scott, Bronson, Uniontown, Fulton, Redfield, and Mapleton. (Page 1)
Scope of Services
The selected consultant will conduct exhaustive studies and provide recommendations on several key areas:
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Surveys and Trends: Analysis of land use, population density, economic conditions, and natural resources. (Page 1)
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Land Use Mapping: Creation of a land use map, categories, and recommendations for new uses that will impact the county’s future. (Pages 1-2)
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Infrastructure and Transportation: Review of public and private transportation facilities and public improvement programming based on urgency. (Page 2)
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Financial Planning: Analysis of public revenue sources and long-range financial plans for capital improvements. (Page 2)
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Public Outreach: A multifaceted program to engage residents, business owners, and local leaders is a mandatory requirement. (Page 2)
Required Deliverables
The final package provided by the consultant must include:
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Comprehensive Land Use Plan: A complete document ready for adoption featuring a county vision, trend analysis, and housing/infrastructure recommendations. (Pages 2-3)
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Implementation Strategy: Specific goals, objectives, and strategies to put the plan into action. (Page 3)
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Digital Assets: Electronic copies of the plan in PDF and Word formats, along with all raw data, spreadsheets, and mapping files used in the analysis. (Page 3)
Submission Timeline & Process
Interested parties must adhere to the following schedule for 2026:
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RFP Published: February 12, 2026 (Page 3)
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Proposals Due: March 20, 2026, by 2:00 p.m. CST (Page 3)
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Planning Commission Review: March 25, 2026 (Page 3)
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County Commission Final Selection: March 30, 2026 (Page 3)
How to Submit: Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Proposal for Comprehensive Plan Development” to the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office. Submissions can be made in person or via mail to 210 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. (Page 3)
Proposal Requirements
Consultants must include the following in their submission:
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Cover Letter & Firm Profile: Summary of qualifications and details on the firm’s size and governmental planning experience. (Page 4)
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Project Approach: A detailed methodology for the study and public input strategies. (Page 4)
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Project Team: Qualifications and prior experience of the specific individuals assigned to the project. (Pages 4-5)
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Fee Structure: An all-inclusive maximum fee for the requested work. (Page 5)
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Timeline: An estimated schedule for completion of each project phase. (Page 5)
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References: 3 to 5 references for similar projects completed within the last five years. (Page 5)
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding this RFP, contact:
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Contact: Susan Walker, Bourbon County Clerk
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Email: countyclerk@bourboncountyks.org
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Phone: (620) 223-3800 (Page 3)