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Bo.Co. Coalition Meets Feb. 4
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
February 4, 2026 1:00 PM
Scottview Conference Room
315 S. Scott Ave
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Teresa Davenport, Care to Share
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be March 4, 2026.
Weekly Chamber Coffee Hosted by Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Group
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City of Mapleton Receives Community Block Development Grant for $202,600
Commerce Awards Over $4 Million in CDBG Grants to Kansas Communities
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that more than $4.1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been awarded for 12 projects across Kansas. The investments will strengthen infrastructure, housing and economic opportunities in rural and low- to moderate-income communities.
“Our small and rural communities are rich with talent, aspirations and opportunity,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Investing in these projects through the CDBG program gives these communities the tools, resources, support and funding they need to address specific challenges and increase their ability to attract more visitors and residents.”
The 12 awardees will receive a total of $4,125,316 in federal funds, which was matched by $9,158,623 in local investments. The result was a combined total of $12,283,939 to be used for public improvements in communities across the state.
Projects awarded in this round:
- City of Arkansas, $628,728 – Adding new playground equipment at Wilson Park
- City of Burden, $300,000 – Rehabilitating nine homes and demolishing four dilapidated structures to address unsafe housing conditions
- City of Centralia, $650,000 – Improving the sanitary sewer system, including manhole rehabilitation and lift station upgrades
- City of Clifton, $160,000 – Installing a new playground surfacing and equipment
- City of Holyrood, $300,000 – Rehabilitating eight homes and demolishing three dilapidated structures through a citywide housing program
- City of Lyons, $650,000 – Upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, including monitoring system, lift stations, headworks, grit system, process basin improvements, motor center, press system, and electrical and site upgrades
- City of Mapleton, $202,600 – Adding a 1,200-foot ADA walking path, parking area, ballfield lighting, fencing, bleachers, dugouts, bathroom improvements and new park amenities at Mapleton Park
- City of Moscow, $51,525 – Installing an above-ground storm shelter in City Park that serves up to 50 people
- City of Mulvane, $181,205 – Resolving ADA barriers in downtown business districts along Main Street and East Mulvane Street
- City of Paola, $300,000 – Renovating a downtown building at 110 E. Peoria St., converting a former church into a wedding venue with exterior improvements and roof replacement
- Dickinson County (Abilene), $298,000 – Improving exterior façade to the historic “post office block” at 109 NW 3rd Street, supporting new commercial rental space
- Doniphan County, $403,258 – Improving courthouse accessibility, including new ADA-compliant ramp
“Through programs and funding opportunities like CDBG, we’re able to grow our support for small communities, creating sustainable solutions and growth in rural parts of Kansas,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “These awards are more than just providing financial resources to communities — it’s about making these places attractive, appealing and places where people are excited to live, work and play.”
The funded projects are tangible results of how CDBG dollars help communities support economic development and develop spaces that improve the lives of Kansans.
To learn more about the Community Development Block Grant program and view awardees, visit here.
About the Kansas CDBG Program:
The Kansas Community Development Block Grant program provides funding to cities and counties to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income Kansans. Administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the program supports projects in housing, community facilities, and economic development.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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Black History Month Tribute
Gordon Parks Museum Celebrates Black History Month with
Tribute Panel Exhibit and Daily Quotes
Fort Scott, Kan. Jan. 28, 2026 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College is proud to celebrate Black History Month with a powerful and educational Black History Month Tribute Panel Exhibit, on display February 1–28, 2026, in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
The exhibit features more than 100 posters, photographs, and informational panels highlighting influential Black innovators, leaders, artists, and change-makers whose contributions have shaped history and continue to inspire future generations. Visitors will also encounter a thoughtfully curated selection of inspiring and moving quotes that encourage reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding.
In addition to the exhibit, the Museum will present a Black History Month “Quote of the Day” throughout February. Each daily quote will spotlight a different historical figure or contemporary voice, offering moments of inspiration and learning for visitors.
“This exhibit and daily quote series provide meaningful opportunities to highlight untold stories, celebrate achievement, and connect history to the world we live in today,” said Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “It invites thoughtful discussion about the relevance of Black history in our daily lives and shared future.”
The Black History Month Tribute Panel Exhibit is free and open to the public during regular building hours.
For more information about the exhibit and contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or by email at [email protected].
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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KS Public Broadcasting Grant Announced
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 28
Rural Kansas Downtown Revive and Thrive Grants Announced
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Obituary of Robert Dean Griffiths
Robert Dean Griffiths, age 72, a resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri following a brief illness. He was born September 11, 1953, the son of Harold Griffiths and Betty Wunderly Griffiths. Bob grew up on the family farm near Bronaugh where he learned to love farm life and the hard work that came along with that lifestyle. After graduating from Bronaugh High School, Bob married Shanna Ruth Culp on February 15, 1975, at Ft. Scott, Kansas. Bob owned and operated his own trucking company. In earlier years, he drove all over the United States; later he settled into making short runs, hauling cattle and grain. Bob hauled his last load of cattle the day before he became ill. In addition to trucking, Bob also maintained his own farm and cattle operation. He wasn’t afraid of hard work and constantly kept busy tinkering on some sort of project. Bob’s wife, Shanna, passed away on March 4, 2022. After her death, Bob began a relationship with Glenda Leer. Bob and Glenda enjoyed his last years together.
Survivors include his two children, Doug Griffiths (Priscilla) of Fouke, Arkansas and Lisa Peterson (Shane) of Albany, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Emily Workman (Brett), October, Tatum, and Kutter Peterson, Jorja and Barrett Griffiths and Beau Hendershot and three great-grandsons, Jayce and Wade Workman and Augustus Peterson. Also surviving are his dear friend, Glenda, a brother, David Griffiths and two sisters, Carol Claflin and Joyce Agee, several nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Sarah McCully (Les). In addition to his first wife, Shanna, he was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bill Griffiths and a sister-in-law, Sheri Daniels.
Following cremation, a gathering for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday, January 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Bob and Shanna will both be laid to rest at the Worsley Cemetery west of Bronaugh at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Farm Aid 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.
Register of Deeds Obstructs County Commission Meeting
January 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Bourbon County Commission Meeting
Three commissioners attended the meeting: David Beerbower, Mika Milburn, and Greg Motley.
During the opening of the meeting, Commissioner Mika Milburn made several modifications to the agenda, including removing the discussion of courthouse space.
After the public hearing for the vacation of a road, in which the owner of the property on the road asked that it be vacated as the county had done nothing with it in the 15 years she had lived there, Resolution 08-26 was approved.
After approval of the minutes from the Jan. 12 meeting and the consent agenda and tax corrections, the citizen comments portion of the meeting began.
Citizen Comments
Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds, addressed the commission. Before she began her comments, vice-chairman Beerbower reminded her that her comments had to be to the commission as a whole and not to a specific commissioner.
Holdridge asked what statute that was under and Beerbower said it was part of what he learned in commissioner training.
Holdridge said that without a statute she would challenge it. Beerbower gave her three minutes.
Milburn interupted Holdridge and asked for a break.
Beerbower announced a three minute recess.
After three minutes, Milburn returned and then left again on a phone call.
Beerbower then told Holdridge that they had had this discussion several times, and in the last meeting, the board announced the plan to look into what spaces are available in the courthouse and take input from each department to divide it up appropriately.
He said he has heard several different claims for dispatch’s old space, but the commission has not made any decisions yet.
Beerbower said they were not going to discuss it tonight.
Milburn returned and said that the county’s counselor, Bob Johnson, advised to remove the public comment.
Holdridge said she would not leave and would stay and talk.
Beerbower asked her to leave and she again refused. He said they were having a county commissioner meeting, not a register of deeds meeting.
Milburn then moved to adjourn the meeting , Beerbower seconded, and it was ended. Motley did not vote.
The commission did not complete the remainder of their agenda including:
1. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) – Motley
2. Department Updates
a. Payroll update – Milburn-Kee
b. Inventory – County Clerk
c. Commission Minutes – County Clerk
d. County Clerk Procedures
e. 2025 End of Year Financials – County Clerk
3. New Business
a. Strategic Planning – Motley
b. Commission Calendar – Motley
c. EOC Access
4. Create Agenda for Next Meeting
5. Commission Comments
Greg Motley: New Bourbon County Commissioner
Gregg Motley was sworn in as commissioner on January 12 during the regularly scheduled Bourbon County Commission meeting.
To learn more https://fortscott.biz/news/new-commissioners-sworn-in
The Bourbon County Commissioners are the chief elected officials of the county, according to the county’s website https://www.bourboncountyks.org/contact-us/. They set policy and procedures for the running of the courthouse and set the budgets for all taxing entities of the county.
Motley represents Bourbon County Commission District #4, which includes most of Southwest Fort Scott, which runs down 69 Highway to Grand Street, then west to about 150th Street, then north to the Marmaton River and back to Fort Scott, he said.
His education
“I have a B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Greenville University and a graduate degree in Bank Management from the University of Virginia. I am a Lee’s Summit High School graduate.
“My faith informed my decision to run.
” I am a strong believer in our civic responsibility to serve our community and this opportunity seemed to fit my experiences and skill sets.”
His priorities
“Aligned with my business experiences, my priorities are financial stability and responsibility, operational management and economic development. I am also interested in better coordination and cooperation with other government entities in Bourbon County.”
Regularly scheduled meetings are on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at the commission meeting room in the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse at 210 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott.
There are five commission districts in Bourbon County.
Here is a map of the districts:
To contact your commissioner:
District 1 Commissioner Samuel Tran’s office phone: 620.215.5954
District 2, David Beerbower: 620.215.5821.
District 3, Joe Allen, none yet, as per the county clerk’s office.
District 4, Gregg Motley: 620.215.7125.
District 5, Mika Milburn-Kee: 620.215.5880.
