The Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
None
CITIZENS REQUESTS
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the April 2025 financial reports. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for April was $323,763.55, Receipts $30,247.46, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $54,009.88, Checking Account Closing Balance $296,977.13. Bank Statement Balance $298,347.71, including Checking Account Interest of $64.45, Outstanding Deposits $0.00, Outstanding Checks $1,370.58, Reconciled Balance $296,977.13. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,072.00, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,822.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $44,900.89, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $402,772.28. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $251.23, and Utility CDs $640.47 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $891.70. Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00 for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of April $26,786.42 Year-to-Date Net Income $33,113.39. Appropriations to date for April 2025 are $31,355.12.
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Brad, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
Minutes of April 9, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for April 2025 and the Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed, some repairs have been completed, he will contact owners about the other repairs needed
406 Fulton Street-letter sent to regarding nuisance vehicles, no reply at this time
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Fire truck in park-he will apply an adhesive to the bolts
Mosquito spraying-will start soon
City Wide Dumpster-dumpster’s not as full as in the past and no complaints
Clerk Report: Danea Esslinger
Quickbook Online Course-attended May 8th, city office was closed.
Evergy is giving a presentation regarding the energy assistance program on 6/3/25 at 10 AM.
Fish Food has arrived.
Thank you card for the donation to the SOS.
Summer Food Program in June at the West Bourbon Elementary School.
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin – None
Councilman Kelly – stop signs needed at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of Fulton St, ask school if another pond signage regarding no parking at the East side of Pond
Councilwoman Pemberton – Zoning Public Forum meeting 5/14/25 at 6 PM
Councilwoman Pritchett – no ordinance about chicken and ducks
Councilman Stewart– Bolts needed for the Pond Dock
Mayor Jurgensen – Ruritan may help with the Public Restroom replacement and repairs
City fixed the sewer main, and this issue caused a citizen to have major flooding issues
Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0 to accept paying for the citizen’s insurance deductible of $1,000.
OLD BUSINESS
SEED Grant – work has started on the City Library and City Office, have new lighting in the City Office, and they have started the electrical work for the ceiling in the Library, and the Council stated to close office to the public during the 1st week of June to complete the City Office flooring, shelves, and new window.
FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering, and we have another new FEMA project manager.
Warehouse Insulation – is planned to start on May 13, and work has started today
Sidewalk-Ag Engineering preliminary study is completed. He stated that we will receive completed documentation when finalized.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 in regard to the East Sidewalk of the Square, send pictures and a letter to ask lawyer if we can proceed with replacing said sidewalk as we own it per survey
Park electric – CrawKan will do the boring for the electrical line needed for the park electric. We will wait to complete this when CrawKan has an opening in their schedule.
NEW BUSINESS
New Ordinance No. 206-presented to Council for changes or approval.
Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to approve the New Ordinance No. 206
Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:39.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20.
Danea Esslinger called in at 8:40, out at 9:15.
ADJOURN Time 9:25 Moved by Ervin, 2nd Stewart, Approved 5-0
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
“The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.” Edwin Bliss
Meet the Martha Stewart of Bethany, a woman with whom many can relate. Strong-willed and energetic, Martha was all about her check-off list. What do I need to do next? She lived with her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus and freely welcomed friends as well as strangers into her home. Religious leaders, the “Who’s Who of Bethany,” and virtually anyone in need, including her close friend, Jesus, knew they had an open invitation to this home. It was there she learned to prepare a meal with little advanced notice for her guests. With no Whole Foods in site. I hyperventilate thinking about it.
Martha’s downfall, like mine, is her life could easily become unbalanced when she took on too many tasks. It appears that she missed some sweet opportunities for relationship-building when she allowed herself to become too busy. After all, she was not about to have people whisper about leaving her house hungry. Not on her watch. Sound familiar?
Then there’s Mary. Aah, Mary, who saw no great need for unnecessary things like schedules and household chores. What fun was that? “Let’s just visit” was her motto. “And the house will take care of itself.” Mary was almost childlike in her hunger for truth – especially spiritual truth. So sets the stage for Jesus’ visit to their home as written about in Luke 10:38-42, NRSV.
Now as they went on their way, He (Jesus) entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what He was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.
Free-spirited Mary was all about relationships, and even though it was unusual for a woman to sit among men, Mary reclined as close to this friend as possible. What other people thought of her was of no concern! She did not care that some called her flighty and irresponsible. She was there to hang onto every word spoken by the Rabbi, the Messiah who, unbeknownst to her, was just a few weeks short of his death.
I once read that perfectionism is doing things right while excellence is doing the right thing. Which woman represents you? Many theologians say that we should be more like Mary, but both women offer lessons about balance in our lives.
Interestingly, Martha appears to desire that sweet fellowship with Jesus but knows that the group of visitors would consider her inconsiderate if she did not feed them. She, as the “hostess with the mostest,” wants her guests to be taken care of, but as she labors over her stove and hears the mumblings of conversation in the other room, she realizes she is missing out.
If you’ve ever labored outside over a hot grill while your friends recline inside, cheering for their favorite sports team, you get Martha’s frustration. The only time they include you is to remind you how they want their burger cooked or to give them a gluten-free bun. Not fun.
Mary, as opposed to Martha, appears not to care about physical food. She wants spiritual food and recognizes that she is sitting at the feet of the only one who can satisfy that need. There always will be time to enjoy Martha’s stew, but who knows when Jesus would pass this way again?
What we need to take from this story is that to become so self-righteous in our good works that we start to judge others for not doing as we do does nothing to please the Lord. Our careers/ministries require attention, but not so much that we neglect our time with God. One is exhausting, and one is exhilarating.
As someone once said, “Select the best, and you will have rest.”
The following is statement Katie Casper read at the Fulton and Fort Scott, zoning advisory committee public informational meetings. FortScott.biz asked if we could publish it, and she graciously agreed and sent us the text.
Good evening my name is Katie Casper. As many of you may know, I’m a non-participating land owner, neighboring one of the current proposed solar developments. I’m a fourth-generation landowner, and contrary to popular belief…I still greatly respect the majority of my neighbors, even if they may not currently reciprocate that feeling.
Tonight I appeal to all of you…not to think of what’s best for me, not to think of what’s best for the lease holders…but what is best for Bourbon County. I’ve tried to understand the stance of those who oppose zoning. The underlying theme I glean from these conversations is control. Landowners don’t want the government to tell them what they can do with the land they own.
A few points I would make:
One; most if not all of these opposers are ag producers. Agriculture is highly subsidized by the government and I’d say 90% of those speaking in opposition receive those federal subsidies. In order to receive those subsidies they report the lion’s share of every detail of their operations to the government. Now I’m not knocking farm subsidies. If my tax dollars are to go to something, agriculture is at the top of the list. It confuses me how someone can oppose proposed protections of a local government with one hand, while giving the federal government every detail of their business with the other.
Second: Control is an illusion. Everyone is afraid of change in the opposition of government control, however if we do nothing…change is inevitably coming anyway. This is a change where the character of our county will be decided by outside forces of industry and in some cases absentee landowners and not by those who live and work here.
We are not owners of the land but stewards. It is on loan to us from future generations of Bourbon County residents. Today the issue is solar development, a few years ago it was wind, tomorrow it will be something else. Developers will always be looking for land to develop on in sparsely populated areas where there is little regulation. In the case of the solar developments land owners are leasing away the control of their property for 40 years. In 40 years my oldest child will be almost 60 years old. God willing, she’ll have grown children of her own by then….a generation of Bourbon County residents who will have had no part in the decision making of converting their beautiful rural county to large chunks of industrialization. This can cannot be kicked down the road or it will be too late. It’s my fear that my grandchildren’s generation will not be Bourbon County residents because of our inaction but will move on to reside in communities where they can be assured that they’ll have some input in shaping the communities in which they make the investment of a home or business.
Zoning is a tool that can be utilized by local citizens to shape the character of our county from the inside out, rather than leaving that character to chance and the whim of those industries that come from the outside waving a dollar under the nose of landowners, looking for an area where they won’t be regulated and causing division among those who must live with these industries daily.
It is the duty of our county government to protect its citizens. Fire danger remains a top issue with these and any other industrial development. If there is no process for local development approval, it leaves little option to provide for protection of not only residents, but those emergency personnel who sacrifice to protect us.
I commend this committee and I thank you for the work you’re doing. I appreciate the thoughtful, educated approach as well as the minimally invasive suggestions made. I encourage you to keep moving on the path you’re on.
We are at a crossroads in shaping what the future of our county looks like and I hope when the next generation takes the helm that we can say we worked with the good of our community in mind and not that we did whatever we wanted, cause we owned it, and we could.
Note: FortScott.biz publishes opinion pieces with a variety of perspectives. If you would like to share your opinion, please send a letter to [email protected].
Give your student a summer to remember with CHC/SEK’s Inspire Health Summer Camps! Kids will explore exciting healthcare careers through hands-on activities led by local health professionals–including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and medical and
dental residents.
Inspire Health Kids Camp is for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade, while Inspire Health Academy is designed for junior high and high schoolers.
Students can choose from three summer camps, each designed to fit their grade level.
All camps will be held at the John Parolo Education Center, 3015 N. Michigan in Pittsburg.
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering Kindergarten – 2nd Grade)
Dates: July 1st – 3rd
Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $120
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering 3rd – 6th Grade)
Dates: July 22nd – 25th
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
• Inspire Health Academy (Entering 7th – 12th Grade)
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
At Inspire Health Summer Camps, students of all ages explore the world of healthcare through fun, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and engaging lessons led by CHC/SEK health professionals. Younger campers get a playful introduction to wellness and how the body works, while middle and high school students dive deeper with clinical simulations, creative projects, and career-focused sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to spark curiosity, build skills, and connect with mentors in the healthcare
field.
Space is limited for each camp and scholarships are available to request on the registration form. If you would like to gift a camp scholarship, visit
https://chcsek.org/donate/ and select the Inspire Health Foundation.
To register for any camp visit: https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth/camp-registration/
Inspire Health Foundation is a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Learn more about Inspire Health.
About Inspire Health Foundation
Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. (IHF) is fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals by
connecting students with experts in the healthcare field. IHF sparks students’ interest in healthcare through camps, events, hands-on learning activities, and scholarships. By partnering with local
healthcare professionals and organizations, IHF provides students with the resources and pathways they need to succeed in their local healthcare systems and positively impact their communities. Founded in 2021, IHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more, visit https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth.
Gerald Martin “Jerry” Chambers, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Ft. Scott. He was born November 11, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of William Joseph Chambers and Karin Sophia “Martha” Erickson Chambers. Jerry had an older brother, William Henry “Bill” Chambers and a twin brother, Richard John “Dick” Chambers.
Jerry was preceded in death by both parents and brothers as well as his wife of forty-nine, Linda Maxine Priest Chambers.
Jerry was a U. S. Navy veteran and served on the USS Hornet CVA-12 and USS Wasp CAG-15, CVS-18, CVA-18.
Jerry is survived by his son with Linda, Eric Chambers (Jennifer). Eric is a 1995 graduate of Ft. Scott High School and a US Army veteran. He is also survived by his oldest son, Michael Tillman Chambers (Amy). Michael is a US Marine Corps veteran. Jerry is also survived by a daughter, Susan Chambers Harris and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Fort Scott City Commissioners considered a sales tax ballot question and approved two planning commission cases in their May 20 meeting.
Fort Scott City Hall.
Consideration of Sales Tax Ballot Question
City manager Brad Matkin went over the details of the proposed question. The current half-cent sales tax implemented in 2022 expires next year. It is currently split: 90% to streets and 10% to parks.
The new option to reconfigure the tax distribution would send 80% to streets, 10% to parks and 10% to public safety (police and fire).
The commission discussed an increase to 1 cent, which would pay for the new firetrucks as well as allow for a potential lowering of the mill levy by 2 points.
Commissioner Matthew Wells said the city has a nine year plan in place for projects addressing the majority of the street issues in the city. “So we have a great opportunity before us as citizens to be able to do something to effect a great change in the drivability of our streets.”
He praised the work that Matkin and his teams have done in the past, including the increase in the size of the street department and equipment they have.
Wells pointed out that people visiting Fort Scott will be paying the sales tax, thus helping to repair the streets, as well as pay for park improvements, and vehicles for the fire and police departments, reducing the property tax burden for property owners in the city.
Commissioner Dyllon Olson said he preferred that the ballot question be worded to maintain the half-cent tax with the option to increase another half-cent if the renewal passes. This would be for 10 years.
The commission voted to table the question until they get the information needed from the county clerk’s office to confirm that the question can be asked in that way. A special meeting will be called once the information is acquired to finalize the ballot question.
Status of 118 E. Wall
The owner has not updated the city with any new information.
Repairs would cost at least $265,000.
Mayor Timothy VanHoeke said that the owner should be approached once more, and mentioned grant opportunities that could offset part of the cost of repairs.
Wells said doing the repairs would save the whole frontage.
The motion was passed to table the item until the June 3 meeting, before which time the city will inform the owner and require a response.
Public Hearings
Planning Commission Case No. 1049 – Conditional Use Permit for a Wireless Communication Facility
Curtis Holland, representative for Verizon and property owners Aaron and Mercedes Judy who own the land under discussion, presented to the commission.
Referring to an application to build a 184-foot tower that the city denied last year, Holland said, “We’re trying with this application to sort of reach a compromise with everybody.”
The current application is to move the tower from the location proposed last year to the northwest corner of the Judy property. The property is in the county, but the City of Fort Scott claims extra-territorial zoning jurisdiction.
The new location is 286 feet from the adjoining Merriman property. The Merriman’s protested the original site as being too close to their house. The proposed 50-by-50-foot tower site is set 284 feet back from their property line, but requires a deviation from the set-back code for the north and west property lines.
“From the beginning of this, I’ve meant no ill will to anybody,” said Aaron Judy. He said that the tower will help the whole community by providing needed cell coverage to the area.
He also said that getting the city’s approval has been a very long process. “I feel like the goal posts have just kept being moved on me.”
Trichelle Michael, Tim Judy, and Steve Anthony all spoke to the commission in favor of the tower, saying it would provide a needed service to the community.
Julie Brown spoke against it, stressing safety concerns, particularly regarding lighting strikes that may cause fires. Amanda Johnson spoke against it as well, saying it’s unsafe. “If this tower goes up, it forces us to move,” she said. She’s also concerned about property values dropping due to proximity to the tower.
Matt Whitt said that those speaking against the cell tower proposal live in the area, while those in favor were asked to come speak in favor but don’t live in the area. He also questioned whether Verizon has proved the existence of the coverage gap or that the proposed tower is the least intrusive option to cover any gap there may be.
Commissioner Tracy Dancer asked about moving the tower to the center of the Judy property, which would move it out of the city’s jurisdiction, as it would be within the set-back code.
Holland said that would not satisfy any of those who spoke up in opposition to the tower, would make the tower more visible, as it would be removed from any tree screening, and could impact the Judy’s ability to develop their property in the future.
Olson said the real question is: “is it the cell tower or the property lines?” And does the city of Ft. Scott need to be sued over a variance.
Holland said he has multiple studies showing no negative impact on the property values of properties adjacent to a cell tower. He also said the tower would have lightning arresters that are grounded to prevent fire danger.
Commissioner Katheryn Salsbury asked about creating a cleared zone around the tower that could stop a fire. Holland said he believed Verizon would be willing to do that.
Olson moved to approve planning commission case number 1049 for the conditional use permit by Verizon Wireless. Dancer seconded. Olson, Salisbury, and Dancer voted yes, Wells abstained, VanHoeke voted no.
Planning Commission Case No. 1050 – Rezone R1 to C3 – 922 E. Wall for the Purpose of a Mechanic Shop
Garrett Knight wants to purchase a lot from the land bank and build a mechanic shop. Addressing concerns about cars being parked on Wall Street, he said the entrance to the shop will be on Little Street and parking will stay on the building site. He also plans to put in a privacy fence. He also asked for a variance to allow the building to be closer to the street than current code.
“It’s not a super-big space, but it’s what’s available and I’m trying to expand,” he said. He also has plans to obtain an adjacent lot in the future.
Andrew Miles, a friend of Knight, said he’s a clean worker, very efficient, and a very nice guy. He will provide a much-needed service to the community.
Olson said he wants to support dreamers and moved to approve the rezoning. Motion carried with Dancer and VanHoeke voting against.
Fort Scott, Kan. May. 21, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the Kansas Arts Commission for its generous and continued support. Our 2024 Annual Gordon Parks Celebration and the Martin Luther King Celebration that was held in January, 2025 were made possible in part by funding from the State of Kansas through the Kansas Arts Commission (a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
In addition to recent support through the 2024 General Support Grant, we are deeply appreciative of the Kansas Arts Commission’s dedication and investment in our mission over the years. Their ongoing commitment to promoting and sustaining the arts has played a vital role in the success of our events, programs, and initiatives.
The funding the museum received helped tremendously in presenting the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration and this year’s Martin Luther King Celebration that took place in January, 2025. This vital support ensures that the legacy of Gordon Parks and the diverse stories and cultures of Kansas can be shared with audiences locally and nationally.
Full funding of the Kansas Arts Commission and the NEA is essential to sustaining the creative lifeblood of Kansas communities. Their support empowers museums, artists, and organizations across the state to thrive.
We are truly thankful for the Kansas Arts Commission and encourage others to stand with us in supporting the arts in Kansas.
Help support the arts through the NEA and the Kansas Arts Commission, because Kansas stories matter.
In the Zoning Meeting in Fulton on Tuesday night, I raised a concern that there seems to be a big difference between what two members of the committee (Brian Ashworth and Brian Wade) think zoning will accomplish. (See Two Brians, Two Views Of Zoning) It is very different for anyone to form any coherent opinion of zoning when the committee has polar opposite ideas of what it will actually do in Bourbon County. What I stated in the meeting was:
“Brian Ashworth said it won’t prevent anything, just make sure there are common-sense guidelines being followed. For example, with solar, it might require setbacks from neighboring buildings, EMS training, or fully funded decommissioning agreements. However, Brian Wade has said that zoning is the tool to keep landowners from leasing their land to solar companies. These are two very very different goals. Mr. Ashworth thinks zoning will be a scalpel to carefully shape the way landowners use their land, Mr. Wade thinks it is a sledgehammer that will dictate what can and can’t be done.”
When I said this, Mr. Wade shook his head as if I was misrepresenting him. I want to make sure I correctly represent him, so I went back to find the video. It is hard to hear because it was recorded on a cell phone, since at this point they were not streaming their meetings, so the mics at the table weren’t being used.
Here is what Mr. Wade said:
“ My neighbor hit me up this morning at the gas station. He lives in Linn County, and, uh, him and another partner farm a bunch around us and he said if it wasn’t for zoning in Linn County, he’d have 5,000 solar or 5,000 acres around their house off of 52 highway.”
My best understanding of his statement is that the land owners who wanted to lease their land for non-agricultural use (to solar companies) were stopped by the fact Linn County is zoned. The result of zoning wasn’t to simply require a certain amount of setback or a decommissioning agreement. It didn’t provide some type of”common-sense” guidelines. Instead, he seems to indicate that they were prohibited from using their land how they wished.
If you want zoning to be used as a tool to keep solar out as Mr.Wade said it did in Linn County, then you should be concerned by Mr. Ashcroft’s view that it won’t do that.
If you support zoning because you feel it will still let land owners do what they want with their land as long as they follow “common-sense guidelines,” then you should be concerned when Mr. Wade indicates it is the mechanism that prohibits certain land use.
The point in my statement on Tuesday was that, despite trying to understand what zoning would mean for Bourbon County, I have no basis for forming any logical opinion on the topic because I have no idea what it would mean for land use other than farming and cattle. Based on the differences between what members of the zoning advisory committe have said zoning will do, it appears I’m in good company.
Note: FortScott.biz publishes opinion pieces with a variety of perspectives. If you would like to share your opinion, please send a letter to [email protected].
Tornado sirens interrupted in the first 5 minutes and the meeting was paused and most audience members and staff moved to safety until the sirens stopped. The pause lasted about 10 minutes.
Despite further sirens going off the commissioners opted to continue the meeting.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Public Hearing for Vacation of Road
Alley between lot 3 and lot 4 for the sublot of block 8 in Hiattville, KS.
No public comments were made.
The commission approved the resolution for the vacation of the road in Hiattville.
Old Business
Budget Reminder
Commissioner Mika Milburn addressed the elected officials and county department heads, reminding them to get their very detailed budgets in to the County Clerk’s office by June 1, and “be ready to defend your budget down to the dollar.”
Work Sessions Reminder
Both the June 16th separation of landfill and public works work session and the June 23 camera work session will be held after the regularly scheduled commission meetings on those dates.
Landfill Separation
Commissioner David Beerbower read a statement after apologizing to the chairman and members of the board as well as those in attendance at the May 12 meeting for his failure to follow Robert’s Rules of Order and the disrespect he presented towards the chairman in bringing his motion forward in that meeting. The heated discussion between himself and three citizens failed to allow Chairman Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt control of the meeting at that time.
He brought the issue back up during the May 19 meeting because the motion he made to table it last week was based on incorrect information he received regarding an email about landfill rates. Regarding cost analysis he acknowledged the importance of the budget as well as services the county offers. Higher costs of operation in the future are a possibility.
He said that on its own, the landfill would be its own priority, giving it more attention than it has had historically. This isn’t about punishing anyone or saving money. The 2025 budget is set.
He again moved that the landfill department be separated from public works, that the landfill be increased by one employee from the current public works roster, that the equipment currently used at the landfill, including the dozer that is sometimes used elsewhere in the county, be placed under the control of the landfill supervisor; that the landfill will operate under the approved 2025 budget and public works will operate under their remaining department budget and that any revenue generated by the landfill must be presented to the commission before being used.
“There is a work session that you’ve told all these people is going to happen and now you’re trying it again,” said Milburn. She refused to discuss the issue with a second to Beerbower’s motion.
Whisenhunt seconded the motion.
Milburn then read a statement that included the statement that landfill employees have said they don’t want raises until they can prove that the landfill can make money. She is concerned with the cost of the change. “You could lower the budget if you didn’t do all these things.” It’s going to cost a secretary, a mechanic, and one more employee. “So we want to spoil this department and make sure they take all this money because it can generate revenue, when really we don’t have to do that?”
She then asked for public comments on the issue.
Whisenhunt reiterated that the motion had been made and seconded before acknowledging an audience member that had been at the previous meeting.
Kevin Allen, who does a lot of hauling out to the landfill transfer station, included Clayton Miller whose family had been in trash hauling since 1987, and other local trash companies as people he was representing in his comments said, “There’s several of us that are really nervous as to where this would head.”
One of their concerns is the county looking at the transfer station [landfill] as a cash cow. He asked the commission if that was a correct assessment.
Beerbower said, “The only way the rates [for dumping at the transfer station] would be raised is if the rates are raised where we take it.”
Allen said he and the other trash haulers were excited about the commission having a work session that would compare numbers because of the potential to lower fees for county businesses who dump there if the numbers worked out, though he admitted that idea was “pie in the sky.”
Allen said that he and other trash haulers in the area are friends with the landfill employees and don’t want to create hostility with them by questioning practices at county meetings. “We don’t want to look at this as a big hostile environment either, and we’re not going to be treated any different than what we ever have been. I’m not going to allow that either.” He reminded the commission that they all are watching.
He said he would rather talk about this stuff with the commissioners outside of the meeting than have these kinds of discussions in a public forum, but his call wasn’t returned. Beerbower was recovering from surgery at the time of the call.
He asked them to do a P&L (profit and loss) analysis on the landfill for the last three years. Beerbower said he was willing to do that.
“You have a pretty luxurious way to run it because if at any given moment they need extra help, it’s a phone call away,” said Allen, when referring to the fact that the landfill transfer station is under the umbrella of the Public Works Department.
Whisenhunt said that the county charges $40 per ton for household trash, but then pays $33.70 per ton to dump it at the landfill in Allen County.
Whisenhunt also said that one of his goals for the county is to go beyond a transfer station and create a Bourbon County landfill.
Allen said, as a tax payer and business operator in Bourbon County, “I just want to be heard, I want to be respected…I don’t want to make hasty decisions…that’s why I’m here.” He then thanked the commission for listening.
Whisenhunt mentioned that he has regular, weekly conversations with the “county boss” who has said that the landfill is probably not ready yet to be apart from Public Works.
Milburn used information from Susan Walker, County Clerk, to say the county is spending more money by making this decision. She also had further information for Beerbower regarding non-elected personnel that would inform his decision.
They tabled the motion, then adjourned to a 10-minute executive session.
Jennifer Hawkins, Deputy County Clerk, then asked how the commission would handle the required $250,000 which the transfer station must have on hand by state mandate. Currently, Public Works has that money set aside in its budget. “That’s a significant chunk of Public Works’ budget that’s just in limbo that they can’t use to buy equipment or do any repairs or upgrades,” she said.
Allen spoke up and said that would be a great item to be worked over in a work session. Another audience member said he didn’t understand the rush and it looked to him like they were lying when the commission proposed a work session for June 16, but made a motion to go ahead with the separation today.
Johnson reminded the commission to follow the rules for a public meeting, but not a public forum.
Beerbower made the motion to withdraw his original motion to vote on the separation of the landfill from public works.
The Commission will not be meeting during Memorial Day week.
Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda
Nick Graham addressed the commission, saying the last time he spoke with them was at the first meeting of the new commission in January. “That night I felt something I had not felt for a long time: hope.” He believed the toxicity he had seen pervading the county’s operations was coming to an end. However, he no longer believes that is the case. He says the county suffers from “grievance mentality.” He addressed the cause of Leroy Kruger’s resignation, saying he believed Kruger felt caught in the middle of the internal wars the various departments within the county have with each other.
He said he hates to bring this up with people he considers friends and has respect for, but he hates even more the fact that, “every time I encourage good people like Leroy and Dillon and Mika to serve this county it turns out that what I’m really asking them to do is jump head-first into a spirit-grinding toxic meat grinder. That has to stop. And now.”
FSCC asking for gravel
Milburn did the cost analysis and said it will cost the county $1305 to give FSCC the gravel they are requesting to improved the drive to the softball facilities being used for regional games. Bailey said he wouldn’t have time to do it if the storms increased the work the county needs to do on roads. She said it was at his discretion whether to do it or not and she wasn’t sure the county should spend the money, either. She didn’t want to tell him to do it in place of the work he needs to do on the roads.
Beerbower said he thinks that if Bailey can do it, he should do it. Whisenhunt said he already told Bailey to do it if he can.
Milburn said she wanted to see a motion to that effect. Whisenhunt made the motion, Milburn voted against, but it carried.
Dale Griffith
Griffith spoke to the commission, saying he’s seen a lot of talk that the county has paid a large amount due to non-representation of the board in litigation. As a tax payer, he asked why.
Johnson said they cannot speak about pending litigation.
Don George with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
George asked the commission if they wanted to apply for further grants for repair of the Elm Creek Lake Dam.
Whisenhunt said he would get information on numbers from Bailey and get back to George.
Concerned Citizen
Another audience member spoke with the commission, saying he agreed with Nick Graham. He then thanked the commissioners for serving, acknowledging how hard their job is, and reminding them to do what’s best for the people who elected them. He encouraged them to hang in there despite the difficulties. “It’s not pretty, but it’s not meant to be pretty. It’s politics.” He reminded them to keep their heads up and do the best they could, saying that he and several other citizens he knows appreciate their service.
New Business
KCAMP Memorandum
The memorandum speaks to the need for replacing roofs on the county building. KCAMP inspect the facilities annually and submits their assessment. The information will need to be kept in mind as the commission makes their budgets.
Commissioner Comments
Mika Milburn; apologized for getting heated during the landfill discussion. She has spent several weeks talking to department head and elected officials in an effort to get acclimated to the county and find out where she can best serve.
“My opinion: there’s a lack of respect for the tax payer,” she said.
She isn’t aligning herself with any other elected offices, but seeks to represent the best interests of the county. She said that no one in the county employ deserves to be making “the most money.”
“There are men and women that sign up to defend our nation every day and they are signing up to serve. We all signed up to serve our county in a different capacity but want to set here and bicker about what we deserve. Well if you ask me, we all deserve to be elected out for our displeasing behavior that we subject our electorate to, and I don’t want to hear any more about it. Right now we have an economic crisis in our county. Let’s not forget that we all signed on to serve the people of Bourbon County and not ourselves. And if anyone chooses to stay the course and keep on, I’ll do nothing, because your choices are yours and they are not a reflection on me and mine,” she concluded.
