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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
June 21, 2024
Special Session resulted in two bills becoming law, Senate Bill (SB) 1, tax relief for all Kansans, and House Bill (HB) 2001, an expansion of the Sales Tax And Revenue (STAR) Bonds program.
No State Income Tax On Social Security is a major win in SB 1 that will help over 76,000 Kansans. The average savings will be around $1,300 a year according to Legislative Research. I have been leading this effort for a few years. It is now law.
Lower Income Taxes for all Kansas taxpayers is a win; by decreasing the 5.7 bracket to 5.58, the 5.25 to 5.2, and 3.1 to 0; increasing the current $2,250 personal exemptions to $9,160 for a single filer, $18,320 for married, and $2,320 for each dependent; and increasing standard deductions 3% – single filer from $3,500 to $3,605 and married from $8,000 to $8,240. A Kansas family, married filing jointly with two dependents, taking a standard deduction will not pay income tax on the first $31,200 of earnings – which happens to be the current federal poverty level.
Property tax relief comes from increasing the current $44,700 exemption to $75,000 when calculating the K-12 20 mill. It was reported to be about $70 savings for a homeowner. It is much smaller than many of us wanted. Also lost were future tax cuts based on inflation, so as inflation increases the property tax exemption $75,000 for homeowners, all standard deductions and personal exemptions would have also increased – thus lowering your taxes. The grocery sales tax going to 0% earlier than next year was lost. Because the Governor and a handful of legislators refused to support tax bills that overwhelmingly passed during session, you will continue to pay 2% state sales tax on groceries until Jan 1, 2025. They blocked those items from becoming law with over $4 billion of taxpayer money sitting in the state coffers. SB 1 was as good as we could get this year for major tax cuts. SB 1 also abolishes the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR) and the County & City Revenue Sharing Fund. No money has been transferred to these funds for over 20 years.
The STAR Bonds program is basically a loan via bonds used to build a project, except STAR Bonds, i.e. loans, are paid off with sales tax and other revenue (taxes) collected in a designated STAR Bond district. The owner of the property doesn’t pay for the facility being built, the STAR Bonds and taxes pay for most, if not all of it. HB 2001, expanding STAR Bonds, sailed through the special session. It didn’t have the votes during regular session, but over 30 lobbyists were hired to push it during a “special session”. HB 2001 allows STAR Bonds to be issued and to pay for 70% of a Chiefs, Royals, and/or practice stadiums to be built. It also allows for STAR Bonds to pay for businesses like restaurants, hotels and others, with sales taxes and other revenue (taxes). Previous STAR Bond projects were funded at 50%, not 70%, and had a 20 year payback, not the 30 year payback in HB 2001. Another change is that 100% of taxes collected on alcohol sales can be used to pay off the bonds. Can you believe the law requires revenues filed with Kansas Department of Revenue in connection to STAR bonds for sports stadiums “shall be kept confidential” and if disclosed subject to legal penalties? And then the law puts a handful of legislative leaders in control of extensions and one person in charge of the program. Local tax money, property taxes and such, could also be used to develop these stadiums. Just look at Wyandotte County property taxes to see what exempting the NASCAR racetrack and other properties do for local homeowners in the area. They have some of the highest mill levies, which means higher taxes. Another question, how will they secure the property to build? Eminent domain was used to force homeowners, landowners, businesses, and even a church to sell their property to build a racetrack. There are always reasons to vote yes or no on a bill, but the negatives outweighed the excitement of one of the most generous giveaways to a professional sports team ever, so I voted No.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of June 17
June 17, 2024 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Clinton Walker, Rachel Walker, Marla Heckman, Mike Wunderly, Deb Needleman, Bo Casper, Michael Hoyt, Joe Ludlum, Jean Tucker, Pete Owenby, and Brent M. Smith were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.
Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 6-10-2024, approval of payroll totaling $238,157.83, and approval of accounts payable totaling $361,343.72. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
Clint Walker spoke about how quickly the Road and Bridge crew was out replacing a downed stop sign and stated the mowing crew was doing an excellent job.
Joe Ludlum thanked the Commissioners for signing the solar project and stated he doubted that county zoning could have improved it. Mr. Ludlum said he thinks that all PILOT funds from solar and wind should be distributed. Mr. Ludlum spoke of how Linn County and Coffey County benefit from electric power and urged the Commissioners to disband any committee charged with setbacks as agreements have already been signed. Mr. Ludlum stated solar panels are in yards and on rooftops and that KDHE should be the one to decide if the solar panels are safe. Mr. Ludlum stated he is a lease holder and is among 70 who signed with wind and 30 who signed with solar. Mr. Ludlum said that for the wind turbines the landowner receives $15,000 per turbine and that solar is on a per acre basis which can be anywhere from $250-$2500 per acre. Mr. Ludlum said he currently has a property leased now for hunting and pasture ground and will make more in one year on solar than he would in ten years leased for hunting and pasture.
Michael Hoyt thanked the Commissioners for all the work they did on the hospital and stated now that there is a plan in the open, he is 100% behind it as long as there is transparency. Michael referred to a comment made last week how individual’s party affiliation is nobody’s business and stated he knows what presidents he voted for but that is nobody’s business.
Mary Pemberton stated last week the Commission approved fireworks permits and resolution 21-91 states” whereas the Board of County Commissioners find that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Bourbon County to regulate the sale and display of fireworks and the location of stands for the said sale and display.” Mary said if you can regulate one industry why can’t you regulate another such as solar and wind. Jim said they are moving forward with Mary’s request to form a committee to work on setbacks.
Deb Needleman asked for the same amount of funding as last year for the 2025 year for Bourbon County Senior Citizens. Deb said that last year it was decided to take money from their budget to pay SEK Area Agency on Aging directly for the Meals on Wheels food prep and she said they are ok with that provided the quality of the food remains acceptable. Deb stated they have volunteers who work approximately 150 hours a month at the center and they provide 92 monthly meal boxes to seniors and 150 families in the community receive commodities every other month. Deb explained they are looking for grants to repair and stabilize the north wall of their building.
Rob Harrington said he would like to give an overview of what went into the project to get healthcare into Bourbon County. Rob stated in 2022 they began the process of bringing in Legacy and they were approached by the ER and at that point the Commissioners waived the lease rate to keep the ER. Rob said that soon after that we had to forego clinic rent of approximately $23,000 per month to get the helipad. Rob said thanks to REDI and Bourbon County the hospital building is now full with the SEK Mental Health Center and Kansas Renewal Institute. Rob stated KRI has 60 new employees and added a needed and necessary service to the state and they currently have a waiting list of over 100 kids who need care. Rob stated that multiple organizations were spoken to in attempts to bring in an ER only and that with Freeman we now will have a hospital as well. Rob thanked the Commissioners, the committee who helped with the retail sales tax, and the EMS staff for all their hard work.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, presented a disaster relief application for Terry and Patricia West’s barn that was destroyed by a tornado on April 26, 2024. Clifton made a motion to approve the abatement for the barn destroyed by a tornado at 1674 115th Street. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer presented nine letters that were received by individuals who are interested on being on the solar panel committee. After discussion it was determined to add the letters to the end of next week’s meeting. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to open the letters and contact those individuals and invite them to the next meeting. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved Jennifer presented a title for EMS unit #1 for the Chairman to sign and explained this unit was approved for trade in last year on a remount ambulance that is now ready for delivery. Clifton made a motion to allow the Chairman to sign the title. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer presented the lease agreement for the Sany mini excavator that was approved for Public Works to purchase at last week’s meeting. Brandon made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the lease agreement. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer reminded the Commissioners of the budget work session that will take place next week beginning at 1:00 in the Commission Room.
Brandon stated he did not have any comments for tonight.
Jim said he was contacted by the interim President at FSCC who would like to meet with Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott to discuss roads at the college. Jim said no decisions would be made that this was just fact finding. Brandon said he is fine with Jim meeting with them. Jim said received an invitation to represent the Commission and attend a finance meeting on July 2nd in Chanute with Senator Moran. Clifton and Brandon stated they are fine with that.
Clifton made a motion that the three Commissioners will be at the budget work session next Monday. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:21. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________,Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
6-24-2024 Approved Date
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 25
Obituary of Aletha Koppa
Aletha F. Koppa, age 87, a former resident of Kansas City, Kansas, and more recently of Paola, Kansas, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the North Point Skilled Nursing Center in Paola, Kansas. She was born May 8, 1937, in Walker, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Willa Harden. Aletha married Herman Koppa on April 14, 1957, in Nevada, Missouri.
Aletha occasionally worked as a file clerk; however, her main occupation was being a devoted wife and mother to her five children. She worked hard making sure the needs of her family were met. Special memories were made while camping and spending time at the lake with family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Herman, of Paola and her five children, Linda Peters and husband, Randall of Olathe, Kansas, Roger Koppa of Texas, Beverly Koppa, of Olathe, Kansas, Doug Koppa of Kansas City, Kansas and Mark Koppa of Paola, Kansas; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Donald Harden of Nevada, Missouri.
Aletha was preceded in death by four brothers, Darrell, Dutch, Allen and Charles Harden and three sisters, Marguerite Kittsmiller, Rosemary Brundridge, and Glady Newby.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, June 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery, Hiattville, Kansas. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Timken Foundation of Canton Awards Grant to the Gordon Parks Museum
Contact Name: Kirk Sharp FOR IMMEDIATE
Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 RELEASE
Email: [email protected]
Website: gordonparkscenter.org
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 24, 2024 –The Gordon Parks Museum is very excited to announce that the Timken
Foundation of Canton has awarded a grant in the amount of $46,000.00 to the Gordon Parks Museum. This
generous award will fund the museum’s technology and interactive displays expansion project that will focus
on the visitors’ experience and engagement throughout the museum and for events.
The expansion will include the purchase of over six large (43 to 86-inch) interactive touch screen displays and
monitors with portable stands with tilting capabilities, printer and high-resolution scanner, digital video
cameras, upgraded laptops, tablets, hard drives and panel displays for photographs and poetry exhibitions.
This expansion will also include audio devices for visitors with hearing disabilities to help make the museum
more accessible.
“We are truly grateful to the Timken Foundation for this incredible investment and support of our museum,”
said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “This grant will give us the ability to significantly
update and enhance the museum’ visitor experience with the expansion of technology and accessibility
throughout the museum. We can’t thank Timken enough for this wonderful and very generous gift.”
For more information about the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or visit
http:www.gordonparkscenter.org/.
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Revised Summer Hours at the Gordon Parks Museum
Revised Summer Hours at the Gordon Parks Museum
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 24, 2024 – The Gordon Parks Museum revised summer hours will be Monday through
Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum will be closed every Friday along with the Fort Scott Community
College campus starting this Friday, June 28 through July 26, 2024. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact
the museum by email at [email protected] or by phone at 223-2700, ext. 5850.
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Obituary of Joseph Reinecker
Joseph Paul Reinecker, age 65, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Friday, June 21, 2024, at Girard Medical Center. He was born September 29, 1958, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Jerry Paul Reinecker and LaVerne Rose Bauer Reinecker. Joe graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City. He married Debra Smith on December 2, 1995. She preceded him in death on November 3, 2019. His life embodied a unique resilience supported by positivity. Joe was an avid sports fan with a gift for statistics. He loved spending time with his family, except when the kids got too loud during a game broadcast. He enjoyed good food with Coke as his favorite soda. His time at the Horton House brought several beloved friends into his life.
He will be greatly missed by his surviving family including sisters Jann Rochefort (John), Warren RI, and Jill Ruby (Randy), Fort Scott; and nieces and nephews Bailey Lyons (Nate) and their children Addison, Jhett, Jaxon, and Lute, Afton Hyer (Coy) and their children Blaise and True, Delane Godden (Brady), and Carlie Rochefort. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
There was cremation. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, June 28th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private family interment will take place at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Mildred Bolin
Mildred Bolin, age 98 lifelong resident of Fort Scott, died Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at Via Cristy Hospital unexpectedly. She was born on September 19th, 1925, the daughter of Jacob Barrett and Cleta Paddock Barrett. Mildred was married to Wilmot Bolin. During that time, they ran an antique store for many years in Fort Scott while raising their family. Mildred spent her most memorable years working at Walmart, where she started her career managing the shoe department. In those 45 years, she touched so many lives in our community. Every person that met her called her Granny, young and old. In her 98 years, she witnessed many of our community children grow up and have their own children. You could not find anyone in our town who did not know and love her. She enjoyed attending church services at the Community Christian Church and regularly attended the 55 Plus church group there.
Mildred loved her family and was incredibly involved with her grandchildren’s lives. She dedicated her whole life to her family and was always there for them, no matter the circumstances. Mildred was there for anyone who needed her. She was, by far, the most amazing, kind, selfless, genuine person who never faltered. A rock to all who knew her. There are not enough words to express how truly special she was.
Mildred will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She was the backbone, and life will be forever changed without her. Although she is gone, we were blessed to have had her with us for 98 wonderful years. A true celebration of a long and unforgettable life.
Survivors include Connie Broyles, her daughter. Grandchildren Darrin Wood and wife Angel, Jessica Hogan and husband Sean, and Nathan Carey. Patty and Jim Frye, her daughter and son-in-law. Grandchildren Robert Frye, Kevin Frye and wife Angela, and Christin (Frye) Baublitz and husband Brenton. Grandchildren Brian Bolin, Ron Bolin Jr and wife Brooke, Brandon Hall and wife Jodi, Megan Bolin, Kristen Bolin and fiancée Steven, and Blake Bolin. As well as 29 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Cleta Barrett, her husband Wilmot Bolin, son Ron Bolin Sr., son Robert Mcclanahan, brother Robert Barrett, sister-in-law Carol Barrett, sister Mary Johnson, brother-in-law Charles Johnson, sister Eda Mae Tourtillott, and brother-in-law Ramond Tourtillott.
There was cremation. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private interment will take place at a later date in Prescott Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Mildred Bolin Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: Verizon Telecommunication Tower
Submitted by Fort Scott City Clerk
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Case No. 1046 – Verizon Telecommunication Tower
OFFICIAL NOTICE
July 24, 2024 – 4:00pm
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN AND TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN on the 24th day of JULY, 2024 the Petition of VERIZON WIRELESS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A 184’ TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER, RELATED EQUIPMENT, AND AN ACCESS ROAD at a 50’ x 50’ leased tract of land from the Parent Parcel #006-114-20-0-40-00-005.00-0: S20, T25, R25, ACRES 11.93, BEG AT SW COR SE4 N TO S R/W LINE OF RR E1035 ALONG RR R/W S TO SEC LINE W522 N139.6 W488.84 S139.6 W30 TO POB LESS R/W OTHERWISE KNOWN AS:
2317 MAPLE ROAD, FORT SCOTT, KS 66701.
TOWER LOCATION INFORMATION: LATITUDE 37° 50’ 57.48” N (NAD 83); LONGITUDE 94° 41’ 9.37” W (NAD 83); GROUND ELEVATION 813; AMSL; OVERALL STRUCTURE 184’-0” AGL; TOWER HT. 180’-0” AGL; SELF-SUPPORT TOWER; APPLICANT CL 176’-0” AGL. – location supplied by Verizon Wireless – 10740 Nail Ave., Suite 400, Overland Park, KS 66211.
The Public Hearing is set for July 24, 2024, at 4:00PM at a scheduled Planning Commission meeting in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
As provided in the Zoning Ordinance of Fort Scott, Kansas, specific to Zoning Regulations -Article 23 – the above application will be discussed and considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission and a recommendation to approve or not approve the request will be made to the Fort Scott City Commission for a final decision.
All persons interested in said matter will be heard at this Public Hearing concerning their views and wishes; and any protest of the proposed changes will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission before they make such recommendations to the City Commission.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 24
Looks Ain’t Everything by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
I prepared a nice home-cooked meal for our family on Easter. However, I wimped out on making the dessert when I spotted a dozen beautifully-decorated cupcakes at the store. They looked delicious and my sweet tooth started begging, so I purchased them. After our dinner, I placed the cupcakes on the table and all of the adults “passed.” When I asked why nobody ate one, my honest son-in-law responded, “They’re not homemade.“ (My son and daughter didn’t say a word.) When I tried to eat mine, I knew what Levi meant. The cupcake was really pretty and luscious looking, but the frosting tasted like it was made from used motor oil. I won’t do that again. We’ve all heard that “looks can be deceiving.” Those cupcakes were guilty of first-degree deceit.
Before Saul became king of Israel, he was described as “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a better-looking man among the children of Israel. From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people“ (1 Samuel 9:2 MEV). The Israelites insisted on having a king like the other nations (which was an insult to God). When the prophet Samuel proclaimed Saul as king, he told the people, “…Truly there is none like him among all the people“ (1 Samuel 10:24 MEV).
King Saul had the outer qualities and looks of a great ruler. And even though he was taller than all the other men, in matters of the heart, he came up short. He failed his first commission by performing the burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel to offer it. Saul had a tragic long list of disobedience to God, making rash oaths and stupid decisions without seeking God. Saul was jealous, suspicious, paranoid, and afraid of David because God was with him but had departed from Saul. While David was playing music to soothe the king, Saul attempted to pin him to the wall with his spear. Simply stated, King Saul operated in a deranged state. He looked the part of a king, but his heart was an ugly mess.
We often describe people by their outward appearance, e.g., “She’s long, lean, and lanky. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. She‘s ugly as a mud fence. He could stop an eight-day clock.” The Bible specifically describes a giant in 1 Chronicles 20:6 NLT, “there was a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.” The Bible doesn’t mention it, but I imagine this giant was probably hairy and ugly too.
In matters of the heart, we can often be mistaken about others. People can’t see what’s in your heart — they can only see what you do. Only God truly knows the heart of a man/woman. Nevertheless, we often describe people by their actions, e.g., “She has a good heart. He has a heart the size of a washtub.” The real truth of how handsome or pretty someone is has to do with his/her heart condition. Even though Mom’s gone, I hear her words of wisdom echoing in my mind: “Pretty is as pretty does.” I’m thankful she kept hammering this proverb into my head — which explains why it’s so lumpy.
God alone knows each human heart. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him (Saul). The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart‘” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). Let’s do our part to have a beautiful heart.
The Key: It’s OK to be hairy and homely as long as your heart is pure and pretty.