CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

Minutes of September 14, 2022                                               Special Meeting #14

 

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 14^th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

ROLL CALL:

 

Commissioners Josh Jones, Tim Van Hoecke, Shane Walker, Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Kathryn Harrington presiding.

 

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE:  Travis Shelton, Brad Matkin, Devin Tally, Susan Bancroft, Michael Hoyt, Dave Bruner, and representing the press Tammy Helm, Editor, Fort Scott Tribune.

 

PUBLIC HEARING: 

 

1. Wells moved to open the Public Hearing at 5:01 p.m. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.

 

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:01 P.M.

 

Consideration of adoption of 2023 Budget:   Mayor Harrington asked Susan Bancroft if any changes had been made since their last budget work session.

 

Susan said no changes have been made.

 

Mayor Harrington asked for any public comments.

 

Michael Hoyt reminded the Commission of Kansas State Statute 12-825b which states that any city of the first, second, or third class water funds should stay in that fund.  He believes it should not be transferred to any other fund.   He also asked about the Municipal Court budget.  He questioned what charges the Municipal Court is expanding to and why they were not addressed.  He questioned why the full time County Attorney is also the City Prosecutor and the fact that she is double dipping.  He said there is a $24,000 increase in expenditures.

 

Susan said that the increase is for court appointed attorneys.

 

City Clerk informed him that there are offenses where pleas cannot be taken with an attorney or a court appointed attorney.  Those charges are assessed back to the defendant.

 

1. Wells questioned the debt service.

 

Susan explained the debt service to the Commission.  She also said that water funds can be transferred, but not sewer funds.  There have been no transfers last year, nor will there be this year.

 

1. Van Hoecke moved to close the Public Hearing at 5:16 p.m. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

 

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:16 P.M.

 

1. Walker moved to approve the 2023 Budget. T. Van Hoecke seconded. T. Van Hoecke, S. Walker, M. Wells, and K. Harrington voted aye. J. Jones voted no.  Motion carried 4-1.

 

APPROVED 2023 BUDGET.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

1. Harrington moved to recess into Executive Session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) until 5:49 p.m. This will include City Commissioners, City Attorney, and Susan Bancroft, Financial Services Analyst. S. Walker seconded. All voted aye.

 

1. Van Hoecke moved to come out of Executive Session at 5:49 p.m. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

1. Wells moved to adjourn the special meeting at 5:49 p.m. T. Van Hoecke seconded. All voted aye.

 

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 5:49 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Diane K. Clay, MMC

City Clerk