Disc golf, sales tax, and fireworks were all dealt with at the May 6, Fort Scott City Commission Meeting.
Appearances
Parks Advisory Board, Purchase of Disc Golf Baskets
Danny Craig spoke to the commission about the Parks Advisory Board’s decision to purchase a new set of disc golf baskets. “The more baskets we have the more people we can have for our tournaments,” he said. By having 36 baskets the parks can facilitate 180 tournament players.
The baskets with numbers and columns will cost $9,100. The plan is to add 18 new baskets to Gunn Park with the option to move them to other locations such as Riverwalk Park of Fort Scott Community College for tournaments. Gunn Park has two to three placements for each basket. The new baskets have more chains and catch discs easier than the old baskets.
“It is impressive how many people are playing at Gunn Park,” said Commissioner Dyllon Olson. Craig noted that it’s a growing sport in the area.
City Manager Brad Matkin asked if he would consider placing them permanently at Fort Scott Community College. Craig said he would.
The commission approved the purchase.
Jake’s Fireworks Sales
Marcus Shearhart, regional building manager for Jake’s Fireworks in Kansas asked that the city adapt to the state law for fireworks selling season, which is June 20 to July 7. Current selling dates in Ft. Scott are June 27 to July 5. Jake’s Fireworks has purchased the old Walgreens building, where they are currently selling Memorial Day Flowers. Next they will sell fireworks. Starting August 1, they will convert to Jumpy Jumpland, an inflatables park. Jake’s Fireworks has also purchased the old Taco Tico and will bring in a Quick Sip coffee shop. They also have plans for the old Pizza Hut building.
The commission voted to amend the current ordinance to match the state’s dates. Shooting dates remain unchanged.
GAAP Audit, tabled from 4/15/2025
Ben Hart talked to the commission about the meaning of switching over to a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) system. GAAP are adopted nationwide, but the state of Kansas has decided that some cities and counties didn’t need to adopt them because of cost of changing over. Other cities in the state go by Kansas Municiple Audit Accounting Guide (KMAAG).
He gave the commission a three-page memo on the subject, as they had voted in an early meeting to switch over to the GAAP system in 2025, and he wanted them to understand the potential cost.
Mayor Timothy Van Hoeke asked Hart to give his professional estimate of the cost to the city to move to the GAAP system. Hart answered it would be at least $100,000 the first year, and the ongoing annual cost will be anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 more than currently paying. The main reason for the increase is the people that would have to be hired to write up the financials and do asset assessments. The city would need to have permanent staffing to facilitate it. Currently, they only do cash basis and statutory audits.
Hart said that he was not asking for a decision tonight, but giving information. It will require budget amendments to pay for the new hires, and this is not an easy decision to reverse.
Matkin asked about the benefits of choosing GAAP versus KMAG. Hart said that GAAP is of more benefit to entities that issue a lot of debt, which Fort Scott does not do.
The commission decided to have the financial staff bring back a waiver to not go with GAAP and to address it in the next budget meeting
“I would like to see the city do a GAAP, but not for that cost,” said Olson.
Unfinished Business
Pumper Truck Purchase tabled from 4/15/2025
The commission approved the purchase of the Spartan, top-mount pumper truck for $784,702.
New Business
Public Hearing: CDBG Grant from Memorial Hall
Kylie Moore, grant specialist, said she’s hopeful they will be awarded the grant this year, as there’s more funding this round than there was last year.
The grant would be used to replace windows, restore masonry and mortar, and repair the northeast corner of the building. Some of which was damaged by water infiltration. The total cost estimate for the project is $766,484 and the city would match the grant at $184,282.
The application will be submitted on May 21, and results will be available two to three weeks after submission.
The commission approved going after the grant.
Request to Vacate Alley and Street at 123 McCleverty Street
The commission denied this request when it was first presented, However, the owner, Alyssa Green, says the information was incorrect at the original hearing and asked to present accurate information.
Mr. Williams spoke to the commission on Green’s behalf. Williams claimed that Second Street runs through Green’s house, and the alley intersects a building. He also said that Second Street ended at Lincoln and wasn’t plotted to go further in 1857.
Commissioner Matthew Wells and Olson both said that the city was plotted to have Second Street run all the way through. This issue is common in Fort Scott. Wells expressed concern that the precedent set by this would send landowners the message that if they build on city property, the city will give them the land.
Williams said that the city should not have allowed a building permit to build homes on city land.
Wells said that the city is following a rule of not choosing to vacate properties in this situation. He also said it’s incumbent on the property owner to do a survey to determine where the city’s property lines and easements are.
Matkin suggested offering Green the piece that part of her house rests on in exchange for her giving another piece of her property to the city.
Van Hoeke suggested that realtors in the area shouldn’t tell prospective buyers that getting the city to vacate property in dispute is to be expected.
Commissioner Tracy Dancer proposed that the engineer and the city attorney work out a land swap pursuant to a survey paid for by the owner or any agent of the owner. Motion carried.
“Rather than just saying ‘no,’ we’re giving you an opportunity to work this out,” said Van Hoeke.
Action items
Consideration of bid for CDs for wastewater, $2,000,000
The commission approved putting $2,000,000 from the wastewater fund into a CD at UMB Bank at the rate of 3.85%.
Consideration of Sales Tax Ballot Question
City Manager Brad Matkin spoke to the commission about the vote for the half-cent sales tax coming up this year. They need to make a decision at their May 20th meeting to get the question onto the ballot in time. Of the current half-cent tax, 90% is paid to streets, 10% to parks and community facilities. Matkin suggested a couple of possibilities, including staying at a half-cent and sending 80% to streets, 10% to public safety, and 10% to parks. This would help pay for the new pumper truck while not taking much from streets. Another option is to increase the tax to one cent, giving 85% to streets, 5% to parks, and 10% to public safety.
“We want to make sure we’re doing the best we can with the funds we’re getting. One thing to remember, sales tax comes from everyone,” said Matkin, including out-of-town visitors. Without the sales tax, a property tax increase may be needed, which would only be paid by residents. Raising the sales tax could allow for a reduction in property taxes.
Olson asked if the reduction in the amount going to the streets would affect the city’s ability to get planned future projects done. Matkin said that the city is doing more in-house work and has more equipment now than in the past, which will allow them to do the street projects for less.
Matkin suggested that the ballot question be to approve a 10-year tax. He also recommended having two or three town halls before the vote to explain it to the public and answer questions.
VanHoeke suggested that the commission take the information home and think it over for a vote next meeting. The commission voted to do so.
Consideration of Gunn Park Shelter Three Improvements
Brad Matkin said the only bid for repairs that the city received was for $55,000. This would be to repair masonry and wood elements of the shelter and would come from the parks sales tax fund. This shelter is one that the city rents out.
Consideration of 2025 Hay Rights Bids
The bid for haying at the airport went to Tip and T Cattle for $9,000.
Discussion of revamping land bank program
Brad Matkin said the land bank would like to have the city’s Housing and Revitalization coordinator take over management. She will help clean titles and coordinate neighborhood revitalization with the land bank properties. She deals with land bank issues daily. It would fit right into her job scheme and allow the city to keep the current funds for management.
VanHoeke asked Bob Farmer, city counsel, to look at the ordinances and make sure they can do that.
“It’ll make the whole process a lot smoother and allow us to coordinate things better with the city and the contractors moving forward,” said Wells.
Consideration of Use of Law Firm for Land Bank
Wells said that the land bank wants a Memo Of Understanding (MOU) with the attorney that Bourbon County will be using for its sheriff’s sale so that he can clear property titles as needed.
Motion carried with “no”s from Dancer and Olson.
Request to pay Heck & Wicker Inc. for Horton Street and Sixth Street Improvements $422, 022.76
Mr. Dickman, engineer, said that inspection shows that every item billed has been completed. The striping is still to be done.
Wells was very displeased with the asphalting job. “That road should have been done right. It should have been done according to specs.”
Wells moved to litigate for having the road re-done. Dancer and Wells voted yes, but the other commissioners voted it down.
Olson moved to pay it, but it didn’t pass. Salsbury, Wells, and Dancer voted against paying it.
Dickman will start the process with H&W to have unsatisfactory items repaired.
Consideration proposal for East National Project Design
Tabled until next meeting.
Reports and Comments
City Manager Brad Matkin
Hometown Parking Lot south of Hometown Pub has one more pour and they hope to finish it this week. It should be a 30-spot lot.
Sixth and Main Intersection is scheduled to be concreted by the end of May as well as the First Street Parking Lot, weather permitting.
The Eddie Street project is next in line. The water department will be doing the waterline project between 8th and 9th street after school is out at the end of May.
Moody Building update: There is a permit, but no work has been done in the last two weeks. Matkin hopes for more info on that by the next commission meeting.
“Things are going good in Fort Scott,” said Matkin. He mentioned the successful First Friday for May. The next one will be in August, as Good Old Days and Fourth of July will be at the beginnings of the next two months.
May 17, a Luau and opening of splash pad with sno cones and bands is planned. The Aquatic Center opens Memorial Day, May 26.
Farmers Market started May 3 and will continue on Saturdays from 8-12 and Tuesdays 4-6.
Commissioner Kathryn Salsbury asked to add to the next meeting agenda revisiting the idea of making the window when fireworks are allowed to set of fireworks shorter. She expressed concerned for veterans, pets, victims of domestic violence, and autistic kids.
Wells mentioned that St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will host a melodrama during the Good Old Days Festival this year.
Olson said he is pleased will the filling of businesses in town. “Fort Scott’s not dying.” He thanked city manager and his various crews for what they do for the city. He also expressed gratitude for the other commissioners and the progress he sees.