Government, Kansas

KCC launches investigation into Hutchinson earthquakes

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The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is collecting data and analyzing recent injection well activity in Reno County in an effort to uncover the cause of a series of earthquakes in the Hutchinson area. Amid damage reports and a concern for public safety, the KCC is conducting an investigation and will evaluate whether additional action is needed to safeguard Kansans.

 

In 2015, the KCC issued an order reducing injection rates in portions of Harper and Sumner counties after the number of earthquakes in that area began to trend upward. In 2016, the Commission issued a second order limiting injection in additional areas of Harper and Sumner as well as parts of Kingman, Sedgwick and Barber counties when earthquake activity there started to rise.

 

The area currently under study in Reno County focuses primarily on Arbuckle Formation depth wells and involves both Class ll oil and gas industry injection wells regulated by the KCC and Class l wells regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

 

Class ll wells are used to inject fluids associated with oil and natural gas production into deep confined rock formations. There are two types of Class ll injection wells: disposal wells and secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells. Disposal wells are used to inject produced fluids into rock formations that do not produce oil or gas. Typically, the injection formations are isolated from usable quality groundwater and are sealed above and below by cementing steel casing into the unbroken and impermeable well bore and rock formations within the well. Secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells are used to inject produced fluids back into formations/reservoirs that contain oil or gas. These formations are also isolated from usable quality groundwater. The injection of produced fluid back into potentially productive formations often allows for the increased recovery of oil or gas reserves.

 

Class l wells are used to inject hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and municipal wastewater into deep, confined rock formations. Disposal typically occurs thousands of feet below the lower most underground source of drinking water (USDW). Industries that utilize Class I wells include: refining, metal production, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical industry, commercial disposal, food production and municipal wastewater treatment.[1]  Nearly all Class I disposal wells in Kansas inject into the Arbuckle Formation.[2]

 

To fully evaluate all injection activity in Reno County, the KCC staff is working with other state agencies to collect information regarding well construction, depths, injection volumes, pressures, maintenance practices and any new injection well activity in the area.   This investigation and evaluation process is ongoing and dependent upon the complexity of the evolving fact finding process.  Accordingly, a precise timeline for completing the investigation has not yet been determined.

 

 

[1] http://www.kdheks.gov/uic/

2 Id.

Government, Kansas

Burns-Wallace Named Chief IT Officer

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Governor Laura Kelly names Secretary DeAngela Burns-Wallace as  new Chief Information Technology Officer

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Kansas Department of Administration Secretary DeAngela Burns-Wallace will be the new Chief Information Technology Officer for the Kansas Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). The appointment is effective immediately, with the OITS duties done in addition to her work leading the Kansas Department of Administration.

 

“Secretary Burns-Wallace has the leadership skills and executive experience necessary for a successful Chief Information Technology Officer to possess,” Governor Kelly said. “Our state’s computer systems are vulnerable to both domestic and international security threats. Secretary Burns-Wallace understands these threats and will ensure that our state’s infrastructure is prepared to handle them and keep Kansans’ information secure.”

Prior to joining the Kelly administration earlier this year, Burns-Wallace served as vice provost of undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. Previously, Burns-Wallace was assistant vice provost for undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University, a master’s degree in public policy and international affairs from Princeton University and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m honored to be selected by Governor Kelly to serve in this important role,” Secretary Burns-Wallace said. “I believe in public service and I look forward to working with Governor Kelly, the Legislature and the OITS and Department of Administration teams to serve the people of Kansas. We must ensure that the state has the IT systems in place to conduct its daily business and maintain the safety and security of our data in today’s ever-changing and interconnected world.”

 

OITS was created under Governor Sam Brownback. Previously, OITS was known as the Division of Information Systems and Communication (DISC) and was a division of the Kansas Department of Administration. OITS is an independent agency, but the two agencies still maintain close operational relationships in several areas because the transition was never completed.

 

Governor Kelly went on to say: “The relationship OITS has had with the rest of state government has been challenging, and communication between the agency and its customers has been difficult. This was not the fault of the agency’s previous leadership. It is, however, a direct result of the fact that the previous administration split OITS from the Department of Administration and then failed to properly support the move, convey its mission and get buy-in from the rest of state government.”

 

Burns-Wallace replaces Lee Allen, who has decided to leave the agency.

 

“I appreciate the work Lee has done for OITS, and thank him for his service to the State of Kansas,” Governor Kelly said.

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2019-2022 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Sept. 4. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Bureau of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Sports

Tri-Valley Fall Golf Classic Sept. 14

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Save the date:
September 14, 2019
2019 Friends of
Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic
Save the Date:
2019 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic
When: Saturday, September 14, 2019
What: 4-Person Scramble
Where: Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
Cost: $200 per team, includes green fees, golf cart & lunch
Deadline to enter: September 6, 2019
Why: To help the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to support programs for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties.
For more information, contact Tricia at 620-431-7401, ext. 230,
Government, Kansas

Shannon Meyer Takes Reins at Lansing Correctional Facility

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Familiar Face to Replace Retiring Lansing Correctional Facility Warden

Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Shannon Meyer returning to Lansing

 

The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced Tuesday that Topeka Correctional Facility Warden Shannon Meyer will take the reins at Lansing Correctional Facility effective August 25.

 

Meyer, who began her correctional career at Lansing in 2002, will replace Warden Ron Baker who is retiring after 35 years with the KDOC.

 

“Shannon calls Lansing her home away from home and is excited to return to Lansing as the first woman to be appointed warden of this facility,” said Corrections Deputy Secretary of Facilities Management Joel Hrabe. “Shannon’s long-time connection and her experience make her the best choice to lead the state’s oldest and largest correctional facility.”

 

As one of her first major undertakings, Meyer will oversee the ongoing reconstruction project at Lansing which is scheduled for completion in early 2020.

 

Meyer, who started as a corrections counselor at Lansing, steadily rose through the ranks before joining the agency’s reentry division in Topeka. Beginning in 2006, she served as the division’s assistant director where she was responsible for implementing evidence-based programs and services throughout the state. She was named the director of community corrections in 2011 before returning to Lansing as the East Unit administrator in 2013. Meyer then was named a Lansing deputy warden in 2014. In 2016, Meyer was appointed to her current position as warden at Topeka Correctional Facility, the state’s only correctional facility for women.

Government, Kansas

Reading Roadmap Program Admin Calls For Misstatement Corrections

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Kansas Reading Roadmap Calls for DCF to Correct Misstatements
Citing violation of due process, a grossly negligent report and abuse of governmental authority
The Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) today called upon Gov. Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families (DCF) Sec. Laura Howard to retract statements made on Friday suggesting that Hysell & Wagner, LLC was paid improperly and falsely impugning the program and its results.
On Friday, DCF released details of a draft audit prior to the 30-day period for response by Hysell & Wagner, violating basic due process. These violations generated unsubstantiated and inaccurate news headlines critical of the firm, causing irreparable harm to its reputation and that of the Kansas Reading Roadmap. Trying to attack contracts in the court of public opinion when they cannot prevail in the court of law is a dangerous abuse of governmental authority and subversive of the business environment in the state.
The Kansas Reading Roadmap is an innovative early literacy model that was developed specifically for Kansas schools and provides Kansas taxpayers both the value of a social service as well as educational impact for children. First, it provides core TANF services for low-income families across the state. The Reading Roadmap provides annually nearly one million hours of free, quality school-age childcare services in afterschool and during the summer for low-income working families. In addition, the grants to schools help facilitate 400,000 healthy snacks and meals for children and families. The program employs directly, and through school partners,1,300 Kansans.
The Reading Roadmap provides an educational benefit to each participating child. It combines and aligns afterschool, summer and family support programs with school reading and intervention data. Based on school tests, children reading at grade level increased 26 percent by attending the program compared to their non-participating peers. We have developed curricula that can now be used by any school in Kansas free-of-charge to replicate this successful model.
DCF’s cancellation of the grant means the Reading Roadmap will soon lose its educational impact which helps children become proficient readers as a strategy to break the cycle of poverty. It will hurt the very children the agency is supposed to protect.
Information inappropriately released was from a grossly inaccurate and flawed draft audit. A cursory review of the underlying audit document over the weekend revealed serious errors prejudicial to Hysell & Wagner. The company has referred the matter to its law firm and CPA for further evaluation and in anticipation of potential litigation.
These errors include, but are not limited to:
·      A false claim that nearly $1 million in advances of program funds to schools were not proper despite language authorizing advances in the grant award, federal rules allowing advances, DCF’s own process allowing advances and the very fact that the agency advanced funds over multiple years as part of this grant;
·      The DCF auditors falsely asserted that Hysell & Wagner did not have an approved indirect cost rate of 9 percent, accounting for $447,520.14 of the contested funds. “Hysell & Wagner, LLC utilizes a 9 percent indirect cost rate that is allowed under the Uniform Guidance” according to the company’s 2015 independent federal audit.
·      $278,048.09 in salaries paid to Kansas-based staff were included as contested funds in the audit despite proper timesheets provided by Hysell & Wagner to DCF.
DCF suggested that grant funds were used improperly to travel from the company’s home office to the state of Kansas. No funds were improperly used for travel for company executives. The travel funds were part of the approved budget and federally permissible and were used to travel exclusively into and around the state of Kansas to ensure the efficient and accountable implementation of the grant.
DCF falsely accused Hysell & Wagner of improper payments. The underlying draft audit document does not support what they said. There were no findings of any improper payments or misuse of funds at any time. There were financial errors identified in the 2015 independent federal audit that led to significant changes by the company. As a result, the 2016 audit showed only two procedural errors, of which one was from 2015, and then no subsequent errors in its 2017 and 2018 audits. Today, Hysell & Wagner is releasing all federal audit reports from 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. All of these were previously received by DCF and have been in their possession for several years.
DCF announced Friday morning that it was terminating the grant to fund the Kansas Reading Roadmap. However, every reason DCF asserted to terminate the grant was already known to the agency prior to the FY20 grant renewal signed on June 28, 2019 by DCF. Hysell & Wagner agreed to every change the state agency had requested regarding travel and overhead costs prior to the state’s decision to renew the grant. To substantiate this, the firm is releasing its fiscal year 2020 grant document signed by Secretary Howard on June 28, 2019 that includes an approved budget as well as salary information for its executives.
It is very clear that DCF did not cancel the grant due to the audit or the Reading Roadmap’s overhead costs. Instead, it did so as retaliation for our refusal to sign a subsequent amendment harmful to our schools and program.
The only other event that occurred after the grant renewal on June 28 was Hysell & Wagner’s refusal on August 4 to sign an additional amendment proffered by DCF. This amendment and the response that Hysell & Wagner provided are being released as well.
The amendment included changes to the audited reporting system KRR created in collaboration with DCF to meet federal and state guidelines. The modification of this system would inevitably lead to the clerical problems addressed since the 2015 audit. Further, it would give the agency a way to falsely claim that Hysell & Wagner was not permitted to advance funds to schools under the terms of the grants dating back to 2015.
Most importantly, these proposed changes in the amendment would have put Kansas schools at risk, asking them to bear the costs of running the KRR program upfront. Because Kansas schools operate on a cash-basis according to state law, they cannot spend money they do not have. Many of the smaller, rural districts that the KRR works with do not have the money to float these expenses.
After renewing the grant in June, DCF asked KRR to sign an amendment to the Reading Roadmap grant that would put schools at risk of breaking state law and we said no. Ten days later, DCF cancelled the grant. KRR stands by its decision to not sign that amendment.
KRR calls upon Gov. Kelly to correct the record. KRR’s 56 schools, 1,300 staff, and most importantly the children, deserve it.
Government

Greet Congressman Watkins Aug.22

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REMINDER:
Meet and Greet with
Congressman
Steve Watkins
(2nd District of Kansas)
at Boiler Room Brewhaus
TOMORROW, August 22nd
at 4:00 p.m.
Community members are invited to a
Meet & Greet with
Congressman Steve Watkins.
The event will take place
TOMORROW, August 22nd at the
Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at
2 S. National Ave. Doors will open at 4:00pm for the meet & greet.
Steve Watkins is a 6th generation Kansan, growing up down the street from the State Capitol in Topeka. His father served in the Air Force and has been a well-respected physician for nearly 40 years. His mother is
a retired public school teacher.
After graduating from Topeka West high school, Steve went on to get an engineering degree from West Point and master’s degrees from both MIT and Harvard.
Steve Watkins is an Iditarod racer,
a Mt. Everest climber, and a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan in 2004.
Steve Watkins’ life and career have been characterized by integrity, courage, leadership, and selfless service.
While the uniform may be changing, the values and convictions are not.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566.
Fort Scott Community College

Burris Hall Gets Addition and Update

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Workers were working on the Burris Hall lawn Monday, August 19, the first day of classes at Fort Scott Community College.

Fort Scott Community College classes started Aug. 19, but a few of the renovations and additions are not quite finished.

 

FSCC instructor Sarah Sutton said, “The goal is to have everything completed by the end of September for the (FSCC) Centennial Celebration.” Sutton teaches in Burris Hall.

 

Burris Hall has an additional building space, while the existing building was remodeled.

The existing building is the left one in this photo, the new addition to the right.

Sample drilling for the project site began last June 2018, and the contract was let out for bid in February 2019, according to info from Darlene Wood,  assistant to the president.

 

Actual construction began in late May 2019, Crossland Construction Foreman Cory Spear, said.

 

“We are down to the punch list,” Spear said. “We are awaiting the architects, Hight Jackson, with a list of corrective actions, things that need to be fixed.”

 

Burris Hall is the agriculture department of the campus. Three to four classrooms are housed here, as well as offices for the instructors.

FSCC Instructor Sarah Sutton, right, speaks with a student on the first day of classes at Fort Scott Community College, August 19.

 

A student walks down the connecting hall of Burris Hall on August 19 towards classrooms in the existing building.

 

There is also a large room in the addition with a kitchenette off to one side.

The large room in the new Burris Hall addition has instructor’s offices around the perimeter and a kitchenette area off to one side.

“This room can be used for a classroom if needed,” Wood said.  “It can also be scheduled for meetings on campus or for community events.”

“The money was all donated by the estates of Chester Boileau and Lonnie Cleavers,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.  “We chose to add on and remodel the agriculture building to honor their legacies, as agriculture was their livelihood.” The amount was $930,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Hayden Travis: New 2nd Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott

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Hayden Travis, 24, starts teaching second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott this year.

She was raised in Uniontown, and her mom,  sixth-grade West Bourbon Elementary School teacher Bonnie Rathbun, was her inspiration.

“My mom has been a teacher for many years, and I have grown up watching her give 110% to her students every year,” Travis said. “I was inspired by her dedication, passion, and drive to help students be successful.”

Travis previously taught 8th-grade earth science for two years in the Shawnee Mission School District in the Kansas City area.

She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree.

Her family includes husband: Zach Travis, mother: Bonnie Rathbun, father: Randy Rathbun, sister: Taylor Graber, and brother: Chad Parks.

In her spare time she likes spending time with family, playing and watching sports, enjoying outdoor activities, staying active, and crafting, she said.

Watching students grow from the beginning to the end of the school year is the best part of teaching for Travis.

“Ultimately my goal is to help mold students into successful and independent individuals who can achieve any goal they desire,” she said.

What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?

“One of the greatest challenges in teaching for me is finding a balance between my professional and home life,” she said.

Bourbon County

Ride to benefit Wreaths Across America Aug. 24: Instructions To Riders

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The 7th Annual Fort Scott Wreath Ride will take place this  Saturday, 24 August in Fort Scott, KS to once again benefit national nonprofit Wreaths Across America and its mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

The following is provided by Kevin Wagner, event coordinator.

Friday afternoon CFI Escort from Joplin to Fort Scott

  • Fort Scott to Joplin Meet @ 5 Corners @ 1330 (1:30pm)

o   1122 S Clark St, Fort Scott, KS

o   *5 Corners has non-alcohol premium

  • KSU to Joplin CFI Leave @ 1345 (1:45pm)

CFI ESCORT

  • Meet at CFI in Joplin @ 1530 (3:30pm) *Be gassed up and ready to go

o   470 East 32nd Street Joplin, MO (Park around the back of the building, North side)

  • KSU from CFI to Fort Scott Leave @ 1600 (4:00pm)

o   Should arrive in Fort Scott between 1745-1800hrs (5:45-6:00pm)

“We will escort them to their parking area and have a small reception at the Boiler Room Brewhaus (10 S National Ave, Fort Scott, KS) afterwards.  We will have a deli plate from Marsha’s Great Plains Deli available for free will offering<” Wagner said.

*Remember the Brewhaus is giving the Wreath Ride profits from the Life Coach Lager during the month of August at BRB.

This is the first time all EIGHT military wrapped CFI trucks will be in one place, we feel very honored for that.

SATURDAY

7TH ANNUAL WREATH RIDE & CONVOY

*WE WILL NOT BE AT BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER THIS YEAR.

REGISTRATION AT 3RD & Main Street Fort Scott, KS

Registration will take place from 0900-1030hrs. (9:00-10:30am)

Kickstands up @ 1100hrs (11:00am)

“ We’ll have a people’s choice bike competition this year also. Best looking bike wins,” Wagner said.

Supported by nearly 100 local business and sponsors, the Fort Scott Wreath Ride will host hundreds of veterans and bikers, in addition to a local police escort and the Contract Freighters, Inc. fleet of military-wrapped trailers from Joplin, MO.

The Fort Scott Wreath Ride began in July of 2013 as an effort to sponsor wreaths for the Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at Fort Scott National Cemetery located on the eastern outskirts of Fort Scott, KS.

In 2018, the Fort Scott Wreath Ride and other fundraising efforts helped provide the funds necessary to sponsor full wreath coverage of the cemetery, a goal Kevin Wagner, volunteer Location Coordinator for Wreaths Across America, Fort Scott National Cemetery, hopes to repeat in 2019.

This year’s ride will be held Saturday, 24 August from 9am to 3pm CDT. The ride will begin at 3rd and Main Street in Fort Scott. Bike registration will take place at that location from 9am to 10:30am.

Among the nearly 100 sponsors, organizer’s note the exceptional participation and support of Fort Scott Gun and Pawn which has donated two pistols to be raffled off, CFI Skyco Distribution, Union State Bank, Arma American Legion Post #182 Auxilary and Arma Son’s of the American Legion Squadron #182, Hideout Harley, Nitro Promo, and Boiler Room Brewhouse which will donate proceeds from their Beer of the Month throughout the month of August to Wreaths Across America at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

“It’s hard to single out a few sponsors,” said Kevin Wagner. “Each helps us in their own way.”

Veterans, active-duty military, their families, bikers, and the local community are invited to attend and participate in the 7th Annual Fort Scott Wreath Ride. Press photos are available upon request.

 

For more info:

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 1,400 veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and overseas. For more information, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes Aug. 7 and July 30, Election Tie-Breaker

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Breaking a tie for votes in the primary election was held on August 20 during the Bourbon County Commission meeting, with both candidates attending.

The tie-breaker was between incumbant Cheryl Adamson and Josh Jones for a spot on the November 2019 ballot for the Fort Scott City Commission.

“Josh Jones won the tie-breaker,” Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said. “The commissioners put both Cheryl Adamson’s and Josh Jones’ name in a box three times each and (Commissioner) Nick (Ruhl) drew Josh’s name as the winner.”

Tie-breakers are few and far between.

“I’ve seen a few tie-breakers over the years, mostly with township races,” Mason said.

Following are the minutes of the two prior minutes of the commission meeting.

August 7, 2019                                                          Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session to hold a 2020 budget work session. All of the Commissioners were present for the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

08/31/2019, Approved Date

 

July 30, 2019                                                            Tuesday 1:00 pm

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Mark Ward met with the Commissioners; he questioned if Lynne (the Commissioner Chairman) had received written notice of the City of Fort Scott changing the rates for the Lake Sewer District. The Commissioners received an email notifying them of the meeting date and the proposed change. Mr. Ward said that the original sewer district contract said that the rates could only be changed when the rates were changed for the city rates too. The City of Fort Scott plans to discuss raising the rates for the Fort Scott Lake Sewer District on August 6th, 2019.

Terry Sercer met with the Commissioners to present the first rough draft of the 2020 budget. Terry was told to use the requested budgets for the 2020 budget for the initial budget; the current actual mill levy for Bourbon County is 66.602, with the initial 2020 budget the estimate tax rate is 67.909. Terry said the 1.3 mill increase is still under the tax lid. The Commissioners reviewed the initial budget after Terry left.

Nick made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion that Lynne sign a TRICARE document, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the document.

Lynne signed a document extending the Blue Cross & Blue Shield grant.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.

The Commissioners will have a budget work session on August 7th, 2019 beginning at 9:00 am.

There will not be a Commission meeting on August 6th, 2019 due to the Election.

At 4:15, the Commissioners took a break for dinner and reconvened at 5:30.

Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners to discuss Bourbon County Economic Development and to get the communities input for a strategic plan; she presented data and discussed Bourbon County Economic Development and community wide assessment and setting priorities. Some of the people present for the meeting were: Deb Mccoy, Cheryl Deloney, Diana Morriss, Cheryl Adamson, Jean Reeves, Rachel Pruitt, Katie Casper, Steve Anthony, Michael Hoyt, Randy Neeley, Tammy Helm, Patty Love, Pete Allen, John George, Bobby Duncan, Kevin Allen, Bobbi Kemna and Josh Jones. Jody questioned what the goals for the next 5-10 years and the tasks should be to move towards growth. Michael Hoyt suggested addressing the strengths and weaknesses; he said we need to become a friendly tax environment by lowering sales tax and becoming competitive with the surrounding areas as well as increase jobs and the population. Lynne Oharah said that the services the County provides are directly related to property and sales tax. Bobby Duncan said if we want the economy to grow we need to be competitive with the areas around us, he suggested paying off debts and cutting expenses somewhere. Deb Mccoy discussed the Industrial Park and questioned if there were areas for expansion there for additional businesses to add to add to the economy. Katie Casper suggested helping the businesses that are already here. Jody questioned what could move our community forward; Diana Morriss suggested that we need to pay attention to trends and look at what Fort Scott can be, she said it needs to be a place that offers quality of life. Matt Sanders suggested healthcare, he also discussed Kansas Rocks and the people using that as well as the bike trails. Matt Sanders did say that there isn’t enough workforce here now to fill the jobs that are available. Jessica Allison discussed the slow rate of internet in the County and suggested faster internet could help. Bill Michaud said we needed to take the assets we already have and gain growth there. Bill Michaud discussed wind farms and pipelines; he suggested being aggressive in developing this here. Bobby Duncan said that we needed to let the business owners do the improvements they can afford to do. Katie Casper said we needed to engage the people in the age group that is declining. Pete Allen said the community needed to work together and change the attitude of the people that are going out of town to eat and shop. Bobbi Kemna said she had traveled a lot and said that people appreciate art; she discussed an arts festival she had and the success of it, she plans to do the art festival again. Kevin Allen suggested having more rodeo events (since rodeos bring money and people to the area) and focusing on the Fort Scott Lake and possibly adding a second tier lake. Donna Wilson discussed the Airport Days that the Fort Scott Airport used to have; she discussed other airports having “fly in days” and said this brings in a lot of tourism. John George felt that agriculture is a strong point for this area; he said he had seen a decline in agriculture partially due to State regulations. Jody Hoener asked for the top points; Lindsay Madison suggested that if another sales tax falls off that possibly an economic development sales tax be started for funding economic development, she also suggested developing shared services to reduce property tax. Deb Mccoy suggested communication; she discussed how a codes inspection is done in Nevada. Diversified recreation was a priority. Michael Hoyt suggested that education and training should be a priority.

Road & Bridge supervisor Jim Harris met with the Commissioners; he said they have been covering the C&D at the Landfill. He said they are finished patching at the Industrial Park and said they are waiting on pricing for the concrete at the intersections. Jim said they are starting Ironwood on August 1st. Jim said they are making chips and discussed a crusher machine that could make enough chips for everyone. The Commissioners discussed a municipalities cooperation contract between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County; the contract stated “The parties agree that the value of the EMS services provided by the City can be exchanged for the service and products that the County will provide to the City for that value, the County will provide 1,400 tons of delivered asphalt to the City at $68.00 dollars per ton.” Jeff made a motion to give Lynne the authority to sign the contract, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.

Matt Sanders met with the Commissioners regarding placing signs (either speed limit or slow children playing) at an area near 250th & Fern Road; this was discussed and Jim said he could get Matt Sanders information on where slow children playing signs could be purchased.

Lynne asked Jim to get the intersections mowed since school would be starting soon.

Lynne made a motion to give all of the Commissioners permission to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for State Farm and the Meeks Law Firm on August 8th, Jeff seconded and all approved.

At 7:22, Nick made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

08/13/2019, Approved Date

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Via Christi Aug. 22

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:
Ascension Via Christi Fort Scott
Location:

401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
(In the McAuley Center)
Thursday, August 22, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 29 – Fort Scott Washateria (501 S. National)
September 5 – SEK Multi-County Health Dept. (524 S. Lowman)
September 12 – Stutesman’s Action Realty (New Location: 120 E. Wall St.)
September 19 – Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (1 S. Main St.)

Bourbon County Local News