Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bo Co Commission on July 8

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A meeting of the Industrial Development Research Committee will be held on July 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the main lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave. Fort Scott, KS 66701.

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

July 8, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 7/1/2024
  1. Public Comments
  2. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Election Information
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

K-State Extension

Recruiting New Leadership

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Amanda  Clasen. Submitted photol

One of the signs of a healthy and vital community is recognizing the need to recruit new members into the leadership role when the time comes. The most successful recruitment efforts are conducted by the people already in leadership positions. Leadership of program and communities often change over a course of time, but what does that change look like and how do you “recruit” the new leadership to help continue to drive the mission of your group?  Without great leadership to organize and provide others with the way to act, a likelihood of real change is very slim.

When you think of recruiting new leadership for a role, ask the question, “Who isn’t at the table that should be?” What groups or individuals should be involved in order to have a truly representative community organization, event or project? Making sure a group is inclusive is the best way to build in cooperation from the beginning. Also think about looking for skill assets that someone can bring to the conversation instead of names. One of the problems caused by relying on the same people for the same tasks over and over again is that those people will eventually tire of making the same contribution. A simple way to identify new people to recruit is to focus on the skills needed for the task and not the person.

While the effort to bring new people into the leadership arena is important, it’s also important to recognize that even the smallest and most limited volunteer contribution can be part of the leadership activities of a community. What is important, is seeing how each contribution fits into the whole picture, and by never discounting any effort, no matter how small, the door to increased involvement remains open. Recruiting new leaders by asking for help becomes most effective when a task is very clearly defined. This means describing the skills needed, describing the task in terms of what the expectations are as well the time commitment required. Finally, defining the task should also cover some ideas about how this role fits into the whole scheme of community improvement.

If you currently serve in a leadership role, it is important to know how to better yourself to continue to be a great leader in your community. Look at how you understand your community and the engagement in your community. Your job as a leader is to know what lies at the heart of the community that you serve, make informed decisions and foster a clear and maintained vision of major issues affecting your community. Leading with empathy and instilling compassion for community members allows for the community to see themselves as leaders.

Lead by being adaptable and open-mined helps you meet community needs and evolve with the times. Of course, effective communication and collaboration with community members and other stakeholders are crucial to this endeavor. The best leaders are one-of-a-kind individuals who remain relevant with large groups of people. Another powerful driver of confidence and self-assurance is self-reflection. Without substantial self-reflection, you cannot gain a true understanding of yourself, your leadership characteristics, or your ability to affect others. To put it a different way, you can’t influence others if you don’t understand them, and you cannot understand others if you don’t understand yourself.

For More information, contact Community Vitality Agent, Amanda Clasen at [email protected] or at 620-244-3826.

Fort Scott, Jobs

New FSCC Dean of Students: Vanessa Poyner

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Vanessa Poyner. Submitted photo.

Vanessa Poyner, 46, is the new  Fort Scott Community College Dean of Students as of June 11. Her office is located in the Student Services office of Bailey Hall.

Poyner earned her Associate of Science from Fort Scott Community College, then a  Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Missouri Southern State University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

“With 18 years of experience as the Criminal Justice Instructor at Fort Scott Community College, I have always been very student-centered and driven to assist students both in and out of the classroom in achieving their life goals,” she said.

“As the Dean of Students at Fort Scott Community College, I oversee the Student Services departments, which include admissions, the registrar, advising, TRIO, student housing, and student activities,” she said.” In addition to these responsibilities, I serve as the TITLE IX Coordinator on campus, ensuring compliance and addressing issues related to Title IX. I am also dedicated to playing a vital role as the student advocate, supporting and championing the needs and interests of our students.”

 

Bourbon County, Youth

Barnstormers 4H Minutes of June 12

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    The Barnstormers 4H club met under the Hubenette Pavilion at
6:36 p.m. “What is your favorite fair project that you have seen?” was this month’s roll call.  13 members and 8 parents were present. The Secretary minutes were read then approved by Macie making a
motion and Klara seconding.  The Treasurer’s report had no
changes.  Next on the agenda was the reading of the newsletter. All
members were told to collect rodeo tickets to sell for the fair and
Rodeo this year.  Katie made an announcement that we would work
on the booth and banner the weekend before the fair started, July 13 and 14.  She would text for more information.
At 6:51 p.m. Bane made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Kort seconded.
Jewel Endicott
Barnstormers 4H Secretary
Jack Endicott
Barnstormers 4H Reporter
Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Work Session Agenda for July 8

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

There will be a budget work session on Monday, July 8, 2024 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the County Commission Room. There is a possibility that all three Commissioners might be in attendance, however; no action will be taken.

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Agenda for July 9

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The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on July 9 at city hall.

ROLL CALL: 

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

2024 Financials –

June 07-24 informational items

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

Schedule budget worksession – need to notify County Clerk by July 20 if intend to exceed RNR

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of June 11, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

On vacation – still waiting on quotes for gas valve replacements

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Thank you to Union State Bank for Independence Day Bash

CCMFOA Institute Year 1

Repurposed Materials

 

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

Uniontown City Minutes of June 11

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The Regular Council Meeting on June 11, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, and Mary Pemberton.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal prosecutor –

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to appoint Sally Johnson as City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, Charlene Bolinger as City Treasurer, Patricia Miklos as Municipal Judge, and Chase Vaughn as Municipal Prosecutor.

 

Oath of office was administered by Mayor Jurgensen for Sally Johnson and Charlene Bolinger.  Clerk Johnson will administer oath for Municipal Judge and Prosecutor by the next court date.

 

Designate official bank and newspaper –

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to designate the Union State Bank, Uniontown, as official bank and The Fort Scott Tribune as official newspaper

 

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger asked if they wanted an oral report on April and May; they opted for oral for May 2024 Treasurer’s Report.  April 2024 Treasurer’s written reports were presented.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $248,941.39, Receipts $51,651.27, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $25,058.15, Checking Account Closing Balance $262,758.51. Bank Statement Balance $264,895.81, including Checking Account Interest of $55.65, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $2,137.30, Reconciled Balance $262,758.51.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,385.86, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,376.69, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,177.46, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $360,698.52. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $283.42, and Utility CDs $841.17 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,124.59.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of May 2024, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $4,311.86, Expenditures $4,311.86, Ending Balance $0.  May Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $6,250.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $2,500.00 for Total Transfers of $12,776.00.  Net Income for the month of May $13,817.12, Year-to-Date Net Income $27,279.31.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $46,034.81 (37.3%), Expenditures $56,155.73 (34.6%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $14,593.33 (39.5%), Expenditures $14,392.05 (34.2%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $78,818.29 (53.8%), Expenditures $51,114.51 (28.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $93,682.10 (57.1%), Expenditures $95,345.38 (47.1%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,966.38 (54.6%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The June 2024 payables to date in the amount of $13,031.25 were presented.  The invoices from KMGA, Homestead Tech, Phillips 66, and Ag Engineering have not been received by noon meeting day.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0, to approve amended Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of May 14, 2024 Special Council Meeting, May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and May 23, 2024 Special Council Meeting
  • April and May Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan was absent.  Council received emailed reports.

 

City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the Council the copier maintenance agreement renewal was received and is $25 higher.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to renew copier maintenance agreement with Modern Copy Systems

 

She also went over 2024 KMGA Regional Meetings, KMU Health Insurance Pooling Survey, and KDHE public meeting on implementation of the 2022 Kansas Water Plan.

The request for quotes for the weather siren preventive maintenance was discussed.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – nothing

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – absent

Mayor Jurgensen – FEMA/KDEM representatives were here on June 5th to do a preliminary assessment of flooding damages from the April 25-30 flooding event.  Bourbon County has met the threshold for disaster declaration.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – Mayor Jurgensen and Councilwoman Pemberton will run some chalk lines to determine the best location for the court, then Superintendent Rich can paint.  They will try to get project completed by July 3.

 

Warehouse project – Mayor Jurgensen is working on the specs for the project.  Statute 12-1739 Sale of Building was reviewed.  Clerk Johnson will follow-up with attorney on next steps of selling 402 Sherman to help fund refurbishing and have the county appraised value for next month.

 

Streets – Mayor Jurgensen is not having much luck communicating with Bettis regarding warranty work and possible future projects.  Funding avenues were discussed and consensus is to hold off on more resurfacing while building up funds for future projects.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 7:27PM

Opinion

Lost Keys 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.)

The day started off fine.  On my drive to the dermatologist in Olathe, I spoke to my granddaughter, Montana, who was boarding a plane with her sister-in-law, Julia, and Julia’s two children, a two-year old and a three-month old.  They would land in K.C. and get into their car they had left in the airport parking lot and drive to Ft. Scott.

At the doctor’s office, some skin cancer was removed, and my back was sewn up with several stitches.  There were a few errands to run in K.C., but I needed to be home for my late afternoon, Bible study, Zoom call.  About ten minutes north of Fort Scott, my phone rang.  It was Jenn, Mo’s mother, calling from somewhere in Alabama.  “Where are you?” she asked.  I said that I was on 69, headed home.

Silence…which in this case was not golden.

“Do you need something?” I asked.  She did.  Jenn had looked in her purse and, Surprise! Surprise! There were the keys to the car parked at the K.C. airport.  I told her that I could turn around and pick up my four relatives.  They were to land at 2:30. It was 2:15.                                Stopping in Louisburg to get gas and use the restroom, I managed to drop my credit card (you know, the one that pays all my bills automatically) into the toilet which, at record place, flushed on its own.  Then I hit rush-hour traffic while on the phone, calling to cancel my credit card.  (Yes, talking on the phone while driving.  Illegal and, in this case, unnecessary, since the odds were against anyone getting their hands on my flushed card to use it.)

At the airport, the traffic attendant told me that my gas lid was open and the cap was hanging outside my truck, meaning, I probably had lost quite a bit of fuel driving to the airport.  Mo called and she said that they were delayed because the airline had broken their stroller and she and Julia were trying to scan the Q.R. code—whatever that means—to submit a complaint.  Neither baby had napped the entire day (which did not change on the ride home) and the girls were “starving.”  It was then the deadening agent for my stitches began to wear off.  Not. Good.

I had mapped out my day to time everything perfectly, but “perfectly” in God’s timing can be very different than what I think.  My needs being met or someone else’s needs being met?  A minor inconvenience verses coming to another person’s aid?  Understanding that God continues to give me crazy stories to write about verses a boring, mundane life?

What I didn’t count on was how much of a hassle it is to lose a credit card.  I don’t know how much is too much, but this was close.  However, there were blessings.  When I called to say that I would not be on the Zoom call, others also had conflicts (but did not want to be the one to cancel), so we moved it to the next week.

My granddaughters and I had a wonderful conversation which we would not have had, had they remembered to bring the car key.  When I phoned the billing departments to change my credit card number, everyone got a good laugh from my toilet flushing story, and when I ended my calls with “Have a blessed day,” they told me to have the same.  I know, it’s not like I baptized someone or led them to the Lord, but it made me smile, and sometimes that’s as good as it gets.

Maybe that’s what God had in mind the entire time.

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Candidates for Bourbon County Sheriff on the August Primary Ballot

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This is part of a series featuring the candidates who will appear on the August Primary Ballot in Bourbon County.

There are two candidates for sheriff.

Nelson Blythe

Nelson Blythe, 29, has approximately seven years of “very proactive law enforcement,” he said.

“The primary role of the Sheriff is to protect life, property rights and Amendment rights of the residents of Bourbon County,” he said.  “This includes protecting rights that are threatened by State or Federal authorities.”

“The most pressing issues should be to reign in the budget that has steadily been rising, work to bring in revenue by utilizing the jail, improve cooperation with the rest of the County officials and actively communicate with the public on progress in these areas all throughout the elected term, not just during election season.”

He is involved in the community work in law enforcement and commissioner work, he said. “I attend Gracelife Church for morning services and Bethel Community Church for evening services and  I’m also a member of The Fort Jiujitsu Club.”

 

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. Submitted photo.

Bill Martin,  58, is the current elected  Bourbon County Sheriff.

Martin sees the most pressing issue facing his office as:

“Maintaining staff and working with a limited budget to provide a professional service to the community,” he said.

The sheriff’s primary role is enforcing Federal and State laws; that do not interfere with both Kansas and U.S. Constitutions, he said.

His education:

  • National Sheriff’s Institute NSI: (Class 109th) Aurora, Colorado.
  • Executive Level Management Education and Training
  • Rural Executive Management Institute (R.E.M.I.) A management education/training program designed to prepare rural law enforcement executives for unique challenges. Session XLIV, St. Louis Missouri.
  • FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA)
  • Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC)
  • Basic Non-Commissioned Leadership Course (BNOC)
  • 2020 Professional Development and Leadership Academy
  • Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC)
  • Kansas Sheriff’s Academy (KLETC)
  • Kansas City Missouri Police Department Regional Training Center, 122nd class

His experience (34 years)

  • Bourbon County Sheriff (current)
  • S. Army (Active Service)
  • Kansas National Guard (Military Police)
  • Kansas City Missouri Police Dept.
  • Pittsburg (Kansas) Police Dept.
  • Fort Scott Police Dept.

He has been involved in the community in the following ways:

  • Federal and State (public safety) Grant Program Reviewer/Elevator
  • Homeland Security Council Representative for Bourbon County, Kansas
  • Kansas Peace Officer Association, District 8 Board of Governor, seated member.
  • Quest Speaker for the International Chief of Police Association, body-cam presentation, San Deigo, Ca. Aug 2023
  • Fort Scott Community College Foundation Board
  • Fort Scott Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board
  • Ali-Kemp Women’s Self-Defense T.A.K.E program training
  • Special Olympics Golf Tournament Sponsor
  • Fort Scott Men’s Kiwanis, Vice-President
  • Fort Scott Presbyterian Seated Session member, building and grounds committee member.
  • Substitute Teacher: Uniontown School District 235
  • Boys Scout Pack 0114 Charter Organization Representative (Fort Scott)
  • Good Neighbor Action Team, (GNAT) member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

195th Street, South of Hackberry Road Will Be Closed Starting July 8

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Bourbon County Public Works will be closing 195th Street approximately ½ mile south of Hackberry for culvert replacement’s starting Monday, July 8th.  The road will be closed daily to ALL traffic from 8 am to 5pm until the projects are completed.  If you have any questions, please contact Bourbon County Public Works at (620) 223-3800 ext. 193.  Thank You for your cooperation during this time of inconvenience!!!
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Elections, Government, Kansas

Kansas August Primary Election Candidates: Kansas House of Representatives

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This is part of a series on the candidates on the August Primary Election ballot.
There are two candi dates for District 4 Kansas House of Representatives on the Bourbon County ballot.
Josh Jones.
Joshua Jones, 43, lives in Bourbon County.
He has three experience years as a  Fort Scott City Commissioner and 20+ years as a small business owner.
Jones has been involved in his community in the following ways: Kiwanis, Chair of Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Advance Bourbon County, previous city commissioner, Christmas in the Park/Bricks committee, Bourbon County Core Communities
“The primary role of any elected official is to represent the people in their jurisdiction, as citizens are the ultimate authority. Unfortunately, many candidates make promises during election campaigns but fail to follow through once elected. When I served as a city commissioner, I was the only one to hold public forums while in office. Transparency and communication are essential.”
“The Kansas House of Representatives faces many pressing issues, with two major concerns being taxes and government overreach into our freedoms and liberties. Often, the government assumes it knows what’s best for us and enacts laws that infringe on our freedoms. The more this happens, the closer our government comes to resembling a dictatorship and less of a government for the people.”
Rick James. Submitted photo.
 Rick James, 61, lives outside of LaCygne.
He earned a  Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree and has
30 years of experience in the United States Marine Corps.
He has served two full terms as a County Commissioner (Linn County, Ks.); served 7 years on the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services, and 4 years on the Ks. Area on Aging for SE (Ottawa). He is a local business owner of Semper Fi Auction Services (2013) and Bravo Realty (2019).
His community involvement:  a member of Lady of our Lord’s Catholic Church, member of Rotary 2010-2024,  and has “Helped out doing benefit auctions for our non-profits locally. I’m a conservative and proud Republican. Semper Fi.”
The primary role of a Kansas House Representative to James is:
“Introducing good legislation that benefits our constituents. Reduce government where possible—serving as the voice to our constituents in legislative matters, advocating for their interests and concerns in Topeka. I will be fiscally responsible and work to lower taxes. By engaging with community groups, attending local events, and staying informed about local issues;  I can be the sounding board for the 4th District.”
The most pressing issue in the Kansas House of Representatives is
“Taxes… first and foremost.  We as local and state governments have got to work harder at being good stewards to our citizens when spending their money. Another issue is the recent attacks on rural America with green energy wanting to take 10’s of thousands of acres away from our landowners here in Bourbon and Linn County. Other bad ideas like Pikes Reservoir (10,000 acre lake proposed in Bourbon County) which was known in Topeka before land owners knew.  There are many things our state can improve on so lets start where it hurts citizens the most (TAXES).  We have a great district and I would appreciate your vote in August. “

Bourbon County Local News