Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Public Hearing Plaster Road Vacation
The commissioners approved resolution 2325 vacating Plaster Road. No one came to the meeting to speak in the public hearing.
Old Business
Dissolution of Zoning Advisory Board
The bylaws of the board state that the committee will be dissolved after their presentation to the board of commissioners. Commissioner David Beerbower moved to approve resolution 2425 to dissolve the board. The motion passed.
Employee Benefit Committee
The commission approved resolution 2525, establishing a committee to assist in making decisions regarding the insurance provided to county employees. The committee will be made up of several county employees and some elected officials, and will meet with the county’s insurance broker quarterly. This resolution repeals resolution 1925.
Resolution 2625, appointing a parliamentarian appointed to fulfill resolutions 0925, 1025, and 1125 for the orderly and effective conduct of county commissioner meetings was also approved.
Animal Control
Beerbower looked into property owned by the county that could be used for animal control purposed. The commission discussed using a portion of the county’s property on Native Road, the former dump, near Oakgrove Cemetery. This was in response to a county citizen in a previous meeting saying she would be willing to apply for grants and work to get animal control up and running in Bourbon County. That person was not at the July 7 meeting.
Some audience members expressed concern about the landfill use time restriction. The project is awaiting legal counsel regarding the feasibility of using the proposed land, and a group to come forward to take on the project.
“There is definitely a need in this county, county-wide,” said Beerbower, since the county has no animal control and the city has no room to partner with the county to house homeless animals.
Milburn suggested a county effort to spay and neuter, possibly partnering with someone else on the job, but an audience member pointed out that one problem with that is proof of ownership for those animals brought in to receive such services.
Beerbower suggested using the county’s grant research people to look for more money to meet the need for animal control in the county.
Stronghold
Commissioner Mika Milburn, said that the county has an internal contract with Stronghold to service computer needs. They cover Fort Scott as well, and will be on site Mondays and Fridays to work out any kinks. There will be a meeting at 4:30 Thursday with Stronghold, the City of Fort Scott, and Bourbon County.
Cameras
Beerbower proposed a security camera use policy that he wants to incorporate into the employee handbook.
The county currently doesn’t have a camera policy and, “I think we need one…we face liability if we don’t have some type of policy in place,” said Beerbower.
The item was tabled to the 21st for time to gather information.
Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
Pete Owenby asked the commissioners about the hospital. Greg Motley came to the table to address the commission and answer questions. Motley serves on the Freeman Fort Scott Board of Directors.
He said that the construction is “virtually done.” They were held up by modifications needed on the proprietary fire suppression system, but that has been completed. The next step is approval from state and federal inspectors.
“Freeman has done everything they can,” said Motley. He is impressed with what he’s seen of Freeman personnel.
Legacy still owns the building behind the ambulance building. It has fallen off the radar since the previous county attorney left his position, but was supposed to be deeded back to the county.
The new attorney, Bill Johnson, will look into it.
New Business
Policy & Procedures
Beerbower proposed a memorandum for a temporary policy regarding hiring and terminating employment. There is no policy on hiring in the handbook at present. The termination policy is in the handbook as a disciplinary action. There is also no job performance evaluation policy in the handbook at this time. Beerbower’s proposed memorandum would be an interim set of guidelines until the policy handbook is complete.
“I’m astounded that this wasn’t in place previously,” said Commissioner Samuel Tran.
Milburn suggested consulting the HR firm that the county uses. Beerbower agreed and moved to table the item until July 21.
Commission Comments
Milburn received some hate mail this week and addressed the senders in a written statement.
Tran agreed with Milburn, saying that the executive sessions may seem frustrating, but there are rules they must follow.
“The three of us are doing the best that we can,” he said. “There’s a lot of people within this county that are doing a really, really good job.”
He thanked the clerk, treasurer, and others involved for their work on the budget.
“We’ll keep pushing,” and doing more for the county he said.
Beerbower said he supports freedom of speech, and said that, “As Americans we should have common respect for each other.”
Regarding litigation with solar, it’s common knowledge and public information that they are reaching a settlement. Once that’s complete and signed, the public will have access to the information. “There has been no deal made,” as of this time, he said.
