County Commissioners want to learn more before approving the 2024 inventory list and tax roll corrections.

After approval of payroll and accounts payable, commissioners voted to table the approval of the 2024 county inventory list. Commissioner Leroy Kruger said he wanted to understand it more fully before approving it. Commissioner David Beerbower mentioned he also had reservations

Regarding tax roll corrections, Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt asked for an explanation.

Assistant County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins explained that the corrections are adjustments made to a person’s tax bill when they sell or in another way loose their property.

Kruger made a  motion to table for time to look at it and the commission approved the motion.

Equitable Sharing Agreement report from Sheriff’s department

Sheriff Bill Martin answered the commissions questions about the agreement. He said that when his department conducts criminal investigations in conjunction with federal government agencies, it sometimes result in funds being confiscated, a portion of which come to the sheriff’s department. There are no such funds this year, but an annual report, approved by the commission, is still required.

Old Business

Work sessions and schedule change

Whisenhunt brought up his previous suggestion that the commission hold work sessions every other week following a short county commission meeting at the regular Monday time beginning March 10, 2025. They would hold regular meetings on the weeks in between.

Kruger was in favor as it would provide for the commission “to get caught up on where we want to be with all the things we want to accomplish.”

Hospital equipment disposal

Kruger met last Friday with Freeman and Nevada Regional Medical. “I got eyes on everything that’s going to be in the auction,” he said.

He has located an auctioneer to conduct the auction. Brian Allen, county employee, will do it free of charge. They are in the process of selecting the auction date, most likely a Friday or Saturday after Kruger has advertised it to area hospitals. Plans are to hold the auction in the hospital parking lot. Proceeds from sale need to go to a charity. Kruger advised commissioners to be thinking of what charity they would like it to go to.

Beerbower asked if other county equipment that needs to be disposed of will be included in the auction. Kruger said he thought adding those items would draw out the process, so they will be doing those at another time.

Public comments for items not on the agenda

Clint Walker spoke about a public forum held by officials from the state representative Rick James and state senator Time Shallenburger last Friday.  Walker was embarrassed by the fact that no county representatives attended.

Whisenhunt responded, “You’re right. One of us should have been there.” He was unable to make it due to late notice and the need to work. Kruger also said he didn’t receive notice in time to attend.

Land Bank

Michael Hoyt spoke to the commission about the land bank, informing them that Mr. Tucker is now the chairman of the land bank and Heather Madison is the treasurer.

He said they are currently working on researching what it will take to clean up the tax sale process.

Whisenhunt asked what the land bank does with the land.

“It seems like all we do is mow it,” joke Hoyt. He then explained that the land bank offers it for sale to whomever wants to bid on it, usually with a quit claim deed. Sometimes they have warranty deeds that allows them to be sold for building on.

Kruger answered, “In short, they manage and maintain the sheriff’s sales properties until there’s a home found for them.”

“If we can get it cleaned up and figure out how we can go and get a quick claim deed converted to a warranty deed, then we’re golden,” said Hoyt.

March 17 will be the new date for the presentation from Christopher McElgunn, a lawyer who specializes in this area, to the land bank and those interested in learning more.

City commissioners are working to get the ordinance under which the land bank operates modified to allow Commissioner Beerbower to sit on the board as well.

New Business

Department Updates

Public Works Director Eric Bailey told the commission that the county is moving forward with bridge replacement at 60th and Grand, which requires the moving of an electric line. The line is  owned by Heartland Electric, who has submitted a price of $19,000 to move 4 or 5 poles and the line. This utility moving is the county’s responsibility as part of the state grant they received for moving the bridge.

“So for about a, give or take, around $900,000 project, we’re going to be into it for about $100,000,” depending on how the bids come in Bailey said.

Money for the utility line moving is already budgeted, and requires commission approval. The public works department worked with Heartland Electric to get the price as low as they did.

The bridge moving project started end of August of 2023.

Beerbower told Bailey he did good job during last snow storm.

Bailey said of his crew, “They did an outstanding job.”

Zoning

Beerbower said that part of his campaign was that he would work on this, so he wanted to open the discussion.

Whisenhunt added that on either March 19 or 26, Eric with Advanced Power wants to have a meeting with the public.

The commission decided that Commissioner Kruger is to head up the zoning and special use permit research team, including any county personnel who can contribute. He has been asked for reports at county commission work sessions.

Fort Scott Area Chamber Membership Renewal

The commission has been members for more than 15 years, said Chamber President and CEO Lindsay Madison, when she spoke to the commission.

She said the chamber’s mission is to support commerce, build community, and promote spirit in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.

Commission approved the renewal at a cost of $340 for all three commissioners for the year.

Commissioner Comments

Beerbower suggested adding a slot for elected officials to the regular meeting agenda to open up that line of communication within the county.

Beerbower also mentioned the Facebook talk of animal control and the lack of it for the county he had seen. Based on research from a 2017 cost analysis from Pierce County it costs $2 million to run a county animal control with 12 employees and more if the county has a shelter.

“At this point, I’m not against it and I’m not for it either, because it’s costly,” he said.

Whisenhunt mentioned that they could check with the city of Fort Scott to see the cost of its animal control department.

“Please take what I’m about to say as learning for all of us and not as a slight towards any of us,” said Kruger. “We need to step up our game on communication.” He went on to say the commissioners should communicate with the county clerk about their official obligations so they don’t miss or double up on meetings outside of the regular business meeting.

Kruger also asked if any progress had been made about the current juvenile detention costs to the county.

Currently, “The juvenile would have to have committed a very serious crime,” said Sheriff Bill Martin, if he or she would be sent to the facility that the county pays for. He said that he is looking into a juvenile detention center in Johnson County for a pay-as-you-go system, rather than the current flat-rate-regardless-of-use system.

Sheriff Martin is in conversations with the director of juvenile justice for this area and plans to come to the commissioners with more information.

Solar Attorney

“We need to hire our solar attorney,” said Whisenhunt. “He will take care of the deal that went to court today and he will take care of all the solar negotiations for us.”

Beerbower made motion to hire him, mentioning the money that had been set aside for that purpose. The commission approved the motion.

At the end of the meeting a concerned citizen spoke up on issue of zoning, asking, “are we going to set up deliverables, milestones, on this?” Kruger replied it is too early in the process, and that they need more information before answering.

Citizen said he is worried their progress will stall. He then asked what tools the county would use to initiate these zonings.

Kruger replied, “I don’t want to infringe at all. I want to protect everybody,” and said the commission will present their conclusion to the public before voting.

Kruger also said the commission would be looking at several drafts before finding the right answer, and that would be a great time for the public to come in and have their say.

Beerbower is confident that Bob Johnson, the county attorney, will be a good resource to help, as he’s done it for several other counties.

The citizen thanked the commission for their transparency.