Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for Uniontown City Council on June 11

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The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on June 11 at City Hall.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

2024 Financials –

2024 Financials – May(1)

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal Prosecutor

 

Designate official bank and newspaper

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of May 14, 2024 Special Council Meeting, May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meetings, and May 23 Special Council Meeting
  2. April & May Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Copier Maintenance Agreement renewal – increase $25

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Warehouse refurbishing –

 

Streets –

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

May 23 Special Meeting Minutes of the Uniontown City Council

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The Special Council Meeting on May 23, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:30PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:57PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:20PM

 

Johnson called in at 6:58PM.  Open meeting resumed at 7:20PM.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to reject offer to negotiate terms of employment offer and rescind original offer of employment

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:22PM

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of May 14

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The Special Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:17PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Betty Hartman, Delci Allen, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants for non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:29PM

Betty Hartman in at 6:30PM, out at 6:43 PM.

Delci Allen in at 6:56PM, out at 7:15PM

Open meeting resumed at 7:29PM.

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Delci Allen to fill City Clerk positon, a full-time position eligible for all full-time benefits as stated in the Employee Policy Manual, to start on May 28, 2024

Moved by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:30PM

Regular Council Meeting

The Regular Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Don George (KDWPT, Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

From left: Amber Kelly, Danae Esslinger, Larry Jurgensen, Jess Ervin, Don George, Brad Stewart and Mary Pemberton. George presented the Uniontown City Council with a check from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for reimbursement on the Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project.  Submitted photo.

Don George, KDWPT, presented a check for CFAP grant reimbursement for Phase II Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project.  He asked if the City had any new projects in mind for the pond and explained the lack of funding for the CFAP lease program.  Lease payments will no longer be paid starting in 2025.  CFAP-1forms still need to be submitted for 2024 but not at all beginning in 2025.

 

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Due to an issue with the new software, bank reconciliation has not yet been completed; therefore, there were no financial reports presented.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to amend Consent Agenda, remove Treasurer’s Report

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve amended Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of April 9, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and April 17, 2024 Special Council Meeting
  • Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich reported the fence on south side of lagoon down due to flooding.  Clerk Johnson has contacted Bourbon County Emergency Management about the PA meeting for the declared disaster.  She will followup with them as there have also been reports of flooding in buildings and ditches/culverts overflowing during the disaster event.   Trail drainage work on southeast corner of trail is washing out to ditch on north side of 1st St inhibiting water flow.  Clerk Johnson will contact school about this.  Also reported that Rogers & Son has begun the work on filling in the scales.  He had to move the fuel tank.  He couldn’t get enough clearance to move very far.  Pemberton and Stewart will check into equipment to move to a new location.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan discussed various projects in progress around town.  He also discussed various locations with nuisance violations.  He will try to make personal contact with property owners/tenants before sending letters or posting “Mow Your Yard” signage.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the Council the storm siren maintenance agreement renewal increased 216%.  Council directed to solicit quotes from other electrical companies also.

Kansas Health and Environment Labs will begin moving into their new location in January 2025.  Nothing required of us at this time.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20PM

 

Open meeting resumed at 9:20PM.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Colby Herring as custodian/water sampler

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – tornado shelters were not timely unlocked.  Mayor Jurgensen has talked to new fire chief about this and will request a copy of chain of command for sounding siren and unlocking doors and also ask for a point of contact.

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – items for painting court have been acquired, just waiting on weather.

 

Warehouse project – Specs for the refurbishment of the warehouse was discussed in depth.  Resolution No 2024-0514-1 to sell 402 Sherman and allocate funds from sale to offset costs to refurbish warehouse into public works space.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2024-0514-1 a resolution to sell city property and to allocate the proceeds from sale of city property for refurbishment of public works building

 

NEW BUSINESS

Streets – Mayor Jurgensen has spoken with Bettis again to remind him of the warranty work needed on work they completed last year.  He also discussed information on the KDOT Cost Share program.

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:53PM

Opinion

What’s In It For Me? by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Dave and I are dog-sitting for two pugs that belong to Dave’s daughter and her husband while they are on a business trip in the Netherlands. The dogs are nothing alike. PJ loves to play and chase her ball, and Zoe is lazy and gets excited only when her food is being prepped and placed on her eating mat.

This morning, following their breakfast and a trip to the backyard, Zoe started choking.  Instead of letting me help her, she ran.  (Seriously, who runs when they are choking?)  After a few minutes of her avoiding me, I finally caught her and began massaging her throat, probably saving her life.  She demonstrated no gratitude.

We were going to go for a walk.  PJ stood still and let me put her collar and leash on her.  Zoe refused, forcing me to chase her around the kitchen table and the dining room table and from room to room.  She, the chubbier one who needed the exercise more, refused to let me give her the protection she needed to go outside.  PJ and I left the house to a whining pooch-sister scratching to get out the front door.

Isn’t that just like us?  We who need the most spiritual discipline stubbornly run from what God knows we need and do instead what we think is best or convenient or easy.  He wants us to use our gifts to honor Him, but we think first of how those gifts can make our lives better.              What’s in it for me?

There are few parables more popular than the prodigal son.  Tired of the doldrums of living under his parents’ rules, he asks his father for his inheritance and do-si-do’s out of town.  I love how the father, knowing this would be a huge mistake, still gives his boy just what he asks for. The wayward son wastes all of his money and ends up living in a pig stye so decides to return to his father and repent, hoping to be accepted as a servant. However, his father, upon seeing his younger son, celebrates his return and treats him like royalty.  The parallel to our Heavenly Father is obvious. Too bad we don’t learn from this parable.

Why is it we have such a hard time yielding to what God knows we need and instead, like the prodigal son, think we know better?  A little gossip can’t hurt, right?  How about the way we justify our critical spirit?  Or fail to tithe for one of a dozen reasons?  Or wait for someone to edify us before we say an encouraging word to them? Or refuse to show mercy? What about this one: “I just don’t feel like it?”                                                                                                                        Yikes!

Sadly, Zoe offers a lesson to all of us.  When we are in trouble, we need to run into the arms of our Heavenly Father and not turn our backs on him, thinking we know better. It’s not a fun way to be left behind.

 

 

Fort Scott Community College, Health Care

FSCC Trustees Will Hold a Special Meeting on June 10

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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

It will be held in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Ag Building.

Personnel actions (additions, separations, transitions) will be approved, and then board will adjourn to executive session for the purposes of discussing non-elected personnel as it relates to organizational structure.  No action is expected to follow.

 

Two board members are unable to attend, but a quorum will be present with the four remaining members in attendance.

Government, History, Kansas

80th Anniversary Day of American Victory in WWII Observed

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Governor Kelly Commemorates
80th Anniversary of D-Day at
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum


ABILENE — Governor Laura Kelly today joined veterans of World War II, the Eisenhower Foundation, and local, state, and federal leaders at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to observe the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

“As we commemorate the 80 years since D-Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who bravely fought in World War II,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “General Eisenhower’s leadership and expertise were invaluable in carrying out this successful operation, which laid the foundation for the peace he championed throughout his lifetime. May we never forget the sacrifices and stories of those who served.”

The D-Day operation brought together land, air, and sea armed forces on the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Under the leadership of Kansan and then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the operation resulted in France’s liberation and the Allied forces’ subsequent victory.

“Today, we honor those who served and those who gave their all to end the last World War,” said Meredith Sleichter, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Foundation. “As one of the first organizations formed to honor World War II veterans, the Eisenhower Foundation is honored to hold this event alongside the global commemoration of D-Day. We do this to ensure we do not forget the sacrifices made to ensure the freedoms we still hold dear today.”

The Eisenhower Foundation was formed in 1945 to honor President Eisenhower through programs and events that celebrate his legacy. The D-Day remembrance ceremony included a wreath-laying and certificates of honor for 21 World War II veterans.

Fort Scott, Jobs, Schools

New Administrators at USD 234, Fort Scott School District: Mayfield and Garzone

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Terry Mayfield. Submitted photo.

Terry Mayfield, 51, is the new Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, who will start duties on July 1. His office will be in the USD 234 District Central Office.

Mayfield earned a Bachelor of Science in Education – Social Studies from Missouri Southern State College 1996, a Masters in Education – Secondary School Administration from University of Central Missouri 2004, and an Education Specialist – Superintendency from University of Central Missouri 2008.

“I spent nine years as a social studies teacher and coach and 19 years in school administration – four years as a building principal and 15 years as superintendent – the last eight years I have spent as the superintendent of the Drexel R-IV School District in Drexel, MO.,” he said.

His duties include:

  • Oversee all business operations in the district.
  • Collaborate with the superintendent to prepare, manage and oversee the district budget.
  • Provide financial data to the superintendent and board of education.
  • Prepare and analyze bid documents.
  • Oversee health insurance and other employee benefits.
  • Manage district investments of funds.
  • Manage bond and lease purchase payments.
  • Oversee grant funds and reporting.
  • Oversee operations departments; food service, transportation, maintenance and technology.

What is the best part of being in education for you?

The best part about being in education is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students and staff and to witness their personal and professional growth. Watching students develop confidence, skills, and a passion for learning is incredibly rewarding. Similarly, supporting colleagues as they advance in their careers and achieve their goals creates a collaborative and dynamic work environment. These connections and the positive impact on others’ lives make education a uniquely fulfilling field, fostering a sense of community and continuous development for everyone involved. Seeing the long-term successes of former students and colleagues further highlights the profound and lasting influence educators have on shaping futures.

What are some challenges?

Challenges in education today include providing all students with the skills they need for future success and supporting teachers and staff in a demanding profession. The day-to-day pressures of teaching, meeting diverse student needs, and staying current with educational practices can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to recognize and address these challenges to foster a supportive environment for both students and educators.

Contact info:

District Central Office Phone: 620-223-0800, 620-223-2760

Email Address: [email protected]

Chris Garzone. Submitted photo.
Chris Garzone, 54, is the new principal at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott as of August 1. He was hired as the assistant principal last year.

Garzone earned a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University and next year will be his 30th year in education. For twenty of those years, he was an administrator.

Garzone’s duties: ” Besides the day-to-day responsibilities of being a principal, I am responsible for the educational experience of all the students at Winfield Scott Elementary School. I provide support and guidance for all staff and promote a positive culture within the building.”
“The best part of being in education is experiencing growth in student behavior and learning. A challenge would be not having enough time throughout the day to address the needs of all staff and students. Winfield Scott has an amazing staff that cares about their students. I look forward to continuing as an administrator at this school,” he said.

Contact info: [email protected] 620-223-0450

 

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Hwy.69 Will See Improvements

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KDOT announces approved May bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place May 22, 2024, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District One — Northeast

Brown ‑ 36‑7 KA‑6948‑01 – U.S. 36, bridge #041 on 12th Street over U.S. 36 highway and ramp located 1.01 miles west of U.S. 73, and bridge #043 over Linden Road located 0.51 mile west of U.S. 73, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $334,004.35.

Doniphan ‑ 36‑22 KA‑6588‑02 – U.S. 36, beginning at the 4-lane/4-lane divide east to the Kansas/Missouri state line, guard fence, 4.3 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $526,527.25.

Jefferson ‑ 44 KA‑6734‑01 ‑ K‑900, bridge #048 over Perry Lake/Rock Creek at Perry Lake State Park, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $265,547.46.

Osage ‑ 31‑70 KA‑7326‑01 ‑ K‑31, beginning 0.2 mile west of the K‑31/Melvern Lake Parkway junction (K‑31 off ramp) east and south to the K‑31/I‑35 junction, overlay, 7.2 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $1,982,004.90.

Shawnee ‑ 70‑89 KA‑6932‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #039 on California Avenue over I‑70 located at the California Avenue/I‑70 junction in Topeka, bridge repair, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $332,976.37.

Shawnee ‑ 4‑89 KA‑6933‑01 ‑ K‑4, bridge #261 and #262 over U.S. 40 located at the U.S. 40/K‑4 east junction, bridge repair, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $622,444.34.

Wyandotte ‑ 70‑105 KA‑6750‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #029 over the Union Pacific Railroad located 0.60 mile west of the Missouri state line, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $277,270.95.

District Two — North Central

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6861‑01 – U.S. 50, K‑150 and K‑177 in Marion, Chase, Harvey, Morris and Butler counties, signing, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $266,649.22.

District Three — Northwest

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑7328‑01 ‑ Various locations in Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, Gove, Norton, Rooks, Thomas, Ellis, Smith and Osborne counties, milling, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $30,630.05.

District Four — Southeast

Bourbon ‑ 69‑6 KA‑6738‑03 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the U.S. 69/U.S. 54 south junction north to the Bourbon/Linn county line, guard fence, 13.6 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $707,804.13.

Bourbon ‑ 69‑6 KA‑6738‑01 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the U.S. 69/U.S. 54 south junction north to the Bourbon/Linn county line, overlay, 13.6 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $9,286,974.65.

Cherokee ‑ 400‑11 KA‑2375‑10 – U.S. 400, from 4.2 miles east of the U.S. 400/K‑7 junction east 1.55 miles, grading and surfacing, 1.6 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $7,158,505.35.

Franklin ‑ 35‑30 KA‑6843‑01 ‑ I‑35, sign structure located on south side of Neosho Road bridge over median of I‑35; sign facing northbound traffic, signing, Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $174,027.44.

Linn ‑ 69‑54 KA‑6791‑03 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the Bourbon/Linn county line north 12 miles, guard fence, 12.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $334,549.25.

Linn ‑ 69‑54 KA‑6791‑01 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the Bourbon/Linn county line north 12 miles, overlay, 12.0 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $8,289,921.98.

Montgomery ‑ 75‑63 KA‑5699‑01 ‑ U.S. 75, bridge #001 over Cheyenne Creek located 1.0 mile north of the U.S. 166/U.S. 75 south junction, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Kansas, $3,788,843.79.

District Five — South Central

Butler ‑ 177‑8 KA‑6940‑01 ‑ K‑177, bridge #125 over Durechen Creek located 7.75 miles north of U.S. 54, and bridge #126 over the BNSF Railroad located 8.17 miles north of U.S. 54, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $1,550,203.38.

Comanche ‑ 1‑17 KA‑6603‑01 ‑ K‑1, bridge #14 over Salt Fork Arkansas River located 7.43 miles north of the Oklahoma/Kansas state line, and bridge #015 over Salt Fork Arkansas River drainage located 7.54 miles north of the Oklahoma/Kansas state line, bridge repair, Reece Construction Company, Inc., $1,994,813.50.

Cowley ‑ 77‑18 KA‑6766‑01 – U.S. 77, bridge #102 over BNSF Railroad/F Street located 0.42 mile north of the U.S. 77B/U.S. 77 south junction, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $1,192,103.58.

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6261‑01 ‑ U.S. 400, U.S. 54, U.S. 77, K‑254, K‑196 and K‑177 in Butler, Sedgwick, Cowley, Greenwood, Harvey and Marion counties, signing, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $2,358,425.50.

District Six — Southwest

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6264‑01 ‑ K‑156, U.S. 83, U.S. 83B, U.S. 50 and U.S. 50B in Finney, Gray, Haskell and Scott counties, signing, Fulsom Brothers, Inc., Cedar Vale, Kansas, $1,590,013.36.

 

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Fort Scott Community College, Government, Jobs

FSCC Administrative Transition Has Challenges

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Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.

FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.

To view a prior story:

FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave

Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.

At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.

Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.

Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.

Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University,  and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.

“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”

Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.

“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”

“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”

“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.

“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.

 

Government

USDA Announces June 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

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WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2024, which are effective June 3, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans 
FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for June 2024 are as follows:

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

Farm Loan Program Process Improvement
FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements, including:

  • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents, such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.
  • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.
  • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
  • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.

More Information
Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed by President Biden in August 2022, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has provided approximately $2.3 billion in immediate assistance to more than 42,000 distressed borrowers. The deadline to request assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Borrowers and Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has passed. Any applications submitted before the program deadlines are currently under review. Visit the related program webpages for more information.To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If producers don’t have an account, they sign up today.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Bourbon County Local News