February 20, 2024 Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session for a special meeting with Commissioners Jim Harris and Clifton Beth and the County Clerk present in person with Commissioner Nelson Blythe attending via phone.
Mark McCoy, Jason Silvers, Patty Ropp, Michael Hoyt, Charles Gentry, Anne Dare, Elizabeth Nuss, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.
Michael Hoyt said he is working with schools to try to get 17-year-olds to register if they turn 18 before the election day.
Justin Meeks, County Counselor, said it is ultimately the Commission’s decision to decide on ballot wording. Justin said he thinks there is a viable option in what they are presenting tonight and part of tonight’s discussion is if we don’t have an emergency room how do we handle EMS. Clifton asked if Nelson had the two questions that Justin handed out, so Justin took a picture and sent them to Nelson. Justin discussed the time to hold the election whether that be in April or May and the cost associated with holding a special election which is estimated at $7,000-$10,000. Jim asked Charles Gentry if he would like to comment. Charles said on the issue of timing it is listed at 5 years with the language stating upon termination and explained there are two options to terminate which is it can sunset at the end of 5 years or can be put back on the ballot to repeal the sales tax. Jim said he would hope in two or three years we would have an ER but if not we would need to buy additional ambulances. Wording options were discussed between the Commissioners. Jim said a May election would be better for the citizens who are forming a committee who have a lot of work to do with promoting. Clifton said he would like to clarify the Commissioners did not form a committee and that it was citizens who decided to form the committee. Charles Gentry stated if the election is moved to May, then the July 1st date when sales tax would begin would have to be changed. Justin said with the Chairman’s permission he would like to work with Clifton Beth and Charles Gentry on the issue of what to do with EMS if we do not get an emergency room. Jim asked if the election is going to be in May if we would have time to table this until next week. Justin said yes, but we need as much time as possible to allow the public to research and be informed. Nelson said the sooner we get this on the ballot the better and that he would like the language to state a sunset date and make sure people know we can end by vote before 5 years. Justin said he can amend the language and have ready for the Commissioners to vote at the next meeting. Clifton asked if we generate 1.5 million dollars with the sales tax but the emergency room only needed $700,00 do we guarantee them a profit by handing over 1.5 million? Jim stated he is not going to vote on handing a blank check to anybody. Clifton asked what you would do with the extra money? Jim suggested Justin go back and work with Charles and Clifton and stated he would like the question to be short, to the point, and honest because we don’t want to send mixed messages. Justin said he asked for Clifton to be the Commissioner involved as the healthcare liaison. Nelson asked if there was contact information for those involved on the committees for the public to reach out. Justin said he is not sure since the wording is not final.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, stated Susan Walker, CFO, is working on the additional pay for those who worked while the courthouse was closed during the ice storm. At the last meeting it was decided to pay public works, EMS, and Sheriff’s department employees who worked an additional 8 hours. Susan was unable to attend tonight’s meeting but wanted to make sure that this will be an additional 8 hours straight time regardless of the number of hours the employees worked and were paid time and a half for. It was agreed upon by the Commissioners that is how they would like the employees who physically worked that day to be paid.
Justin Meeks, County Counselor, requested a 10-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into executive session under KSA (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship to include all three Commissioners, with Justin calling Nelson on his cell phone, and Justin Meeks for 10-minutes to return at 6:22. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:22 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to add another executive session. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to go back into executive session under KSA (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship to include all three Commissioners, with Justin calling Nelson on his cell phone, and Justin Meeks for 10-minutes to return at 6:34. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:34 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Jim and Clifton did not have any comments this evening. Nelson said a prayer during his Commission comments time.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:36. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
2-26-2024 Approved Date