Bourbon County Commission Agenda For July 13

Agenda 

Bourbon County Commission Room 

1st Floor, County Courthouse 

210 S. National Avenue 

Fort Scott, KS 66701 

Tuesdays starting at 9:00 

 

Date: July 13, 2021 

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________ 

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________ 

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________ 

County Clerk-Kendell Mason 

 

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. 

 

 

Call to Order 

 

  • Flag Salute 
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting 
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report 
  • R.O.Z. 
  • Wage Resolution 
  • Elected Officials Comment 
  • County Counselor Comment 
  • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment 
  • Public Comment 
  • Commission Comment 

 

1:00pm 2022 Budget Work Sesson 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justifications for Executive Session: 

          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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an op

Blue-Green Algae Advisories Listed

Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

 

Active Advisories

Warning

Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County

Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County

Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County

Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County

Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County

Big Hill Lake, Labette County (upgrade 7/9)

Marion Reservoir, Marion County

Webster Reservoir, Rooks County

Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County

Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County

 

Watch

Mission Lake Horton, Brown County

Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County

Milford Lake Zones A and B, Geary County

Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County (new)

Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County

South Lake, Johnson County

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour”, Labette County (new)

Linn Valley Lake, Linn County (new)

Marion County Lake, Marion County

Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County

Overbook City Lake, Osage County

Agra City Lake, Phillips County (downgrade 7/9)

Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County

 

Advisories Lifted 7/9/21

Perry Zone C, Jefferson County

Pomona Reservoir, Osage County

 

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
  • Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
  • Water contact should be avoided.
  • Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
  • Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
  • If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
  • Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

 

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

 

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
  • Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
  • Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
  • Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
  • Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid

direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

  • Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

 

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

 

Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

 

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

                                           

 

FSCC Trustees Minutes of June 21

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
June 21, 2021
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bill Meyer, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, and staff
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall. The meeting was opened
with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve
the consent agenda.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the bid from
Philadelphia for property/casualty/auto/and excess liability insurance for $186,829.
B. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the 2021-22
meeting dates as provided and specifying July 19, 2021 for the July meeting date.
C. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the Memorandum
of Agreement with FSCAPE.
D. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the KASB Worker’s
Compensation Member Participation Premium Agreement and Loyalty Credit Program Agreement.
E. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the amended lease
with Mercy for student housing
F. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the continuation of
the proposed agreement between IA DOE and FSCC for July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The budget will not
exceed $848,237 for the fiscal year, and FSCC will retain 8% administrative allowanced as fiscal agent.
G. A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to table the discussion of the
Fort Lincoln School rock fossils so the origin of the rocks could be determined prior to taking any action on
allowing recovery of the fossils within the rocks.
H. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the apartment
flooring quote from SEK Floors for $38,357.20.
I. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the apartment
painting quote from H2 Painting for $24,000.00.
J. A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the bid from Lenovo
to purchase laptops for the CAMP students.
K. A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the list of
memberships and dues for 2021-22 as presented.
L. A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to appoint Alysia Johnston as
FSCC’s delegate to the CTEC Board of Directors.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW: The Board reviewed letters of correspondence.
REPORTS:
6
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Miami County Campus,
Gordon Parks Museum, Student Services, Athletics, Instruction, Finance and Operations, and the President.
Chairman Bartelsmeyer thanked Board members for their contributions to the functions of FSCC’s Board of
Trustees. Jim Fewins noted that the presentation at Liberty Theater sponsored by the Gordon Parks Center was
great.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at 7:37
p.m. by Meyer, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk

Obituary of Stan Fisher

Stan Douglas Fisher, age 72, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021, at his home.  He was born October 23, 1948, in Ft. Scott, the son of Weldon Fisher and Ester McCracken Fisher.

Stan graduated from both Ft. Scott High School and Ft. Scott Community College.  He married Elaine Russell on August 20, 1972, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Ft. Scott.  While in high school, Stan began working at Whiteside’s IGA.  He remained there for nearly thirty years where he served as grocery department manager.  He then worked for a short time at Ward/Kraft prior to going to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad.  He worked as a conductor for the railroad until his retirement in 2018.

Stan was a longtime member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.  He enjoyed gardening and keeping up his yard.  In his younger days, he was an avid quail hunter.

 

Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of the home; his daughter, Stana Wynn and her husband, Jeremy, of Windsor, Colorado and two grandchildren, Nolan Wynn and wife, Anna, of Chesterfield, Missouri and Payton Wynn, of Windsor, Colorado.  Also surviving is his brother, Steve Fisher and wife, Liz, of Ft. Scott.

 

Rev. Paul Rooks and Rev. Jeremy Wynn will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Monday, July 12th at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle 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.

Rodeo! At Bourbon County Fair Starts Today

It’s that time of year, spending time with family, friends, and neighbors at the Bourbon County Fair.
The fair showcases talents, and provides entertainment, and offers local products to buy. Local entertainers will be featured at the final event on Saturday night.
This year’s Bourbon County Fair starts this tonight at the fairgrounds located on south Horton Street, across from Fort Scott Community College.
“The rodeo starts Friday, July 9th (at 8 p.m.) and events continue clear till Saturday, July 17th,” Diane Brillhart, treasurer of the fair board, said.
Adult tickets to the rodeo are $12, kids six-years-old and up $7 and kids under 6 are free.

New this year is ‘Christmas at the Fair,'” she said. “Retail booths will be set up in the Merchant’s Building Monday through Friday from 4-9 p.m.  We have a great assortment of items.”

Hands-on activities will be happening in the 4-H Building, sponsored by Southwind K-State Extension, the Museum of Creativity, and the Bourbon County Conservation District.
A Decluttering Program by Starlite FCE, led by Glenda Miller, Karen Peery, and Terri Williams, will be presented Wednesday, 2 p.m., at the Myers Building.
Food trucks will be onsite opening at 10:30  a.m. each day.  Breakfast will be available in the 4-H Building 7-9:30 a.m.
“We are having the Fair Finale on Saturday, July 17th,” Brillhart said. “D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival along with The Barnstormers will be providing a great night of entertainment.”
  Gates open at 6 p.m. and music will start at about 7 p.m.  Tickets are $5.
In addition, there will be food trucks and refreshments available, she said.
Continuing this year is the draft horse pull on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. and the 4-H Dance and Cornhole Tournament, Thursday, July 15.
“Ben Cole, the voice of the Bourbon County Fair, will be announcing our Market Livestock Shows,” Brillhart said.
A goat show at the Bourbon County Fair in 2017.

Bourbon County Fair Board Officers are President Dale Griffiths; Vice-President Mark Crystal ; Secretary Lynda Foster; Assistant Secretary Sue Reinecke;  Treasurer Diane Brillhart;  Assistant Treasurer Mark Brillhart; Grandstand Superintendent Stewart Gulager and  Assistant Grandstand Superintendent Bobby Reed.

Obituary of Daniel O. Longfell

Daniel Oscar Longfellow, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born July 24, 1940, in rural Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Arthur Daniel Longfellow and Hazel Grammar Longfellow.  He served with the United States Army.

Daniel worked as a custodian for the Bonner Springs School District.

He married Mary Tharp on June 18, 1993, in Topeka, Kansas.  Together they enjoyed camping and attending Old West reenactments.

Survivors include Richard Longfellow of Ft. Scott, Jonathan Longfellow of Minnesota, Tammy Longfellow of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hannah Longfellow of Ottawa and Becky Longfellow of Topeka, Kansas and several grandchildren.

His wife, Mary, preceded him in death on May 10, 2019.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Alvin Dean, Dennis Arthur, and Delbert Olan Longfellow.

Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct graveside services at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 13th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Tuesday prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45 A.M.

Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

What’s Happening in Fort Scott July 9 Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
July 9th Weekly Newsletter
ACCEPTING TEAM REGISTRATIONS!
*SPONSORS
*RAFFLE ITEMS
*DONATIONS/SWAG BAGS
REGISTER ONLINE!
CLICKHERE.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm.
$6 Adults & $4 for 12 yrs & under.
THE BOURBON COUNTY FAIR
STARTS TODAY WITH THE RODEO!
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FAIR SCHEDULE
HAPPENING ALL NEXT WEEK!
7/8 to 7/11 – Midwest Showcase Baseball Tournament III, LaRoche Baseball Complex.
7/8, 7/9 & 7/12 – Museum of Creativity – OPEN PLAY SESSIONS. Admission – $3/person (free-4-1 yr old) Monday, Thurs. & Fri. 10 am – 2 pm
Friday also at 4 pm – 8 pm. Click here for info.
7/9 – 7/15 – Fort Scott Cinema. Now showing: Boss Baby 2, F9: The Fast Saga, Black Widow. Click here for more info.
7/9 – Karaoke at Boiler Room Brewhaus & $5 Sangria, 7-10pm, clickherefor more info.
7/9 – CORNHOLE FUN AT HOLMTOWN PUB, EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6 PM. Click here for more information.
7/9 – DIY & IOD Techniques with Angie at Main Street Gallery & Gifts, 6:30pm, click here for details.
7/9 – FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT IN THE PARK FEATURING THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 7pm, Heritage Park Pavilion @ 1st & Main, bring a lawn chair due to limited seating.
7/10 – 4-H Dog Show,8am at the Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/10 – WOODLAND HILLS GOLF COURSE 2-PERSON SCRAMBLE TOURNAMENT. Click here for more information.
7/10 – Roller Skating at Buck Run Community Center, doors open 6:30 pm, skating 7-9 pm, click here for more info. FREE THIS SATURDAY OF DONATION OF BOURBON COUNTY CARS.
7/10 – Boiler Room Brewhaus presents Alyssa Galvan Live, 7-9 pm, click here for more info.
7/11 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort. Bourbon County Democrats serving Breakfast on the Bricks this Saturday, click here for more info.
7/10 & 11 – The Lavender Patch Farm To learn more about events & hours open,click here.
July Hours open daily. Thurs. thru Mon.
7/9 & 7/10 – ACRA-IPRA Rodeo, 8pm each evening as part of the Bourbon County Fair, discounted advance tickets on sale now at the Chamber, see flyer below for more details!
7/9 to 7/17 – Bourbon County Fair,activities for everyone to watch or take part in, click here for the full Fair schedule!
7/10 – Paint in the Park with Creative Canvas at Gunn Park, 1pm, click here for details.
7/12 to 7/16 – Creative Crafts through Buck Run, youth ages 8-12 yrs., 1-1:45pm or 2-2:45pm, $10 per person, register through Buck Run.
7/12 to 7/15 – FSHS Boys Basketball Camp @ FSHS, 2nd-5th grade 1pm, 6th-8th grade 2:30pm, sign up at Buck Run, $30/kid.
7/12 to 7/15 – FSHS Volleyball Camp @ BRCC, 5th-8th grade 1-3pm, sign up at Buck Run, $30/kid.
7/12 to 7/16 – Christmas at the Fair ~ Vendor booths in the Merchants Building, 4-9pm each evening Mon-Fri, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/13 – 4-H Rabbits (8am) & Poultry (10am) Judging, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/13 – 4-H/FFA Sheep Show 2:30pm, Meat Goat Show 5:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/13 – Congressman LaTurner Mobile Office Hours, 3:30-4:30pm, City Hall, open to the public, the Congressman will not be present, but his staff will be. Click here for more info.
7/13 – Draft Horse Pull, 7:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/14 – 4-H/FFA Bucket Calves, Dairy Cattle & Dairy Goats Show, 8-10am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to watch!
7/14 – Kansas Heritage Trust Fund Grant Workshop, 3pm, online, for anyone interested in applying for a Heritage Trust Fund Grant in the coming year. Click here for info. & to register.
7/14 – 4-H/FFA Beef Cattle Show, 6:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/15 – Chamber Coffee hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Assoc., 8am, Hubenett Pavilion @ Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/15 – 4-H/FFA Swine Show., 9am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/15 – Corn Hole Tournament hosted by Uniontown FFA, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, registration 6:30pm, starts 7pm. Click here for more info.
7/16 – Livestock Judging Contest, 9am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/16 – Bourbon County Fair Buyers Appreciation Supper & Junior Livestock Sale., Supper 5:30pm, Sale 7pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/16 – Wade D. Brown Live at Boiler Room Brewhaus, 7pm, click here for more info.
7/16 & 7/17 – Beat the Heat Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, Hot Deals in Cool Stores, refreshing drinks, sno cones & more!
7/16 & 7/17 – Bourbon County Comedy Night Open Mic, click here for more info. 9-11pm, new amateur comedian every 5 minutes, age 18 & over.
7/17 – Fair Finale Concert by Bourbon County Revival, 6:30pm, $5, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, see flyer below for more details.
7/17 & 7/18 – Hollister Shooting Range Open, 6:30pm, Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday 12-5pm.
SAVE THE DATE:
CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC
Friday, July 23rd, click here to register!
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!

Mushrooms by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche

Horrible, disgusting mushrooms have found a home in my yard.

This, after hiring a landscaping crew to come in four times a year to do whatever landscapers do to keep our grass green and somewhat weed-free.

These mushrooms prevent me from keeping up with my neighbor, the one to the south who last year sodded his yard and installed an irrigation system. Without fail, sprinklers come on in a watering pattern that keeps his grass worthy of a Better Homes and Garden cover photo.

I have zero chance since I am our sprinkler system. I purchased two sprinklers for the days in which it did not rain, and while joined to their 100-ft. hoses, I drag them around the yard, spending hours a week trying to keep my grass green and happy

You can imagine my horror this year when I returned from Mexico to find unwanted demon-guests (aka mushrooms) leeching off the decaying nutrients in my soil.

When no local business offered a solution, I made phone calls to experts and was told that the shrooms no doubt had thrived because of the rain.

“As soon as the sun comes out and the rain stops, they will go away.” Whining to experts has accomplished nothing.

I have spiked the area around the little imps and filled it with liquid detergent. Two gallons of Dawn later, the parasites had turned black and stank horribly. (Stink, stank, stunk…yes, that is correct.

) But then they resurrected in another area, including the edge of my neighbor’s pristine yard, and I felt responsible.

No doubt they had spread their underground mushroom spore-filled gills into Never-Never-Neighbor-Land and now might overtake the entire neighborhood.

I have dug them up and bagged them for disposal. I have doused them with a vinegar/water solution and have treated them with non-soluble fertilizer.

Still, their bothersome bouquets proliferate.

It’s no coincidence that this morning’s Bible reading is in Romans where Paul addresses our sin nature. Several chapters are spent on the entanglement of sin and how easily we continue doing what we should not do instead of understanding that as Christians, we are to move toward holiness.

You know, instead of continuing to feed our souls on rot.

Sin comes natural to us, and like mushrooms, if unchecked, works its way out in thoughts, words, and deeds. If we do not kill the decay upon which our sin is relying for nourishment, it can take over our lives.

The apostle Paul was direct when asked if it’s okay to ignore sin (since we are covered by grace). He used three words to answer: “By no means!” We have to do everything we can to correct all ways we do not reflect Jesus Christ.

In other words, just like the death of the mushrooms is the Sun, the death of our sin is dependent on the Son of God.

I just need to spend as much time with Him as I do the annoying pests in our ground.

Recovery of February Weather Event Costs

KCC issues first order on recovery of February weather event costs

TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued the first of several utility-specific orders addressing customer payment of deferred energy costs related to the February 2021 winter weather event.  On February 15, the KCC ordered regulated utilities to do everything possible to continue providing power and natural gas service to their customers in spite of skyrocketing natural gas prices. Utilities were instructed to defer any extraordinary costs and then propose a plan to recoup the charges over time to reduce the financial impact on customers. Each plan would require Commission approval.

The first of the payment plans to be considered by the Commission, submitted by American Energies Gas Service, was approved this morning. The company, which supplies gas service to approximately 200 customers in Harvey, McPherson, and Marion counties, reported $317,914 in extraordinary costs for the weather event, inclusive of carrying costs to finance the delayed recovery plan. For context, that is more than the utility typically collects in total annual revenues from customer billing. Under the plan, American Energies customers have the option to make monthly payments over a 5-year period or make a lump sum payment.  If a customer chooses to make a lump sum payment, they will avoid the monthly carrying charges over 60 months.  The payment amounts are based on individual customer usage during February 2021.

In light of ongoing state and federal investigations into the higher than normal February prices for natural gas, provisions are being included in each payment plan to protect ratepayer interests while still allowing utilities to begin recouping service costs.

“These investigations take time, and we don’t know when they will be completed. In the event there is a finding that the market price was unjust or the result of market manipulation, we make it crystal clear to utilities in these agreements that those proceeds will go back to the individual customers that are paying their bills today,” said Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service, and Finance.

An agreement on a plan proposed by the City of Eskridge is currently pending before the Commission while plans submitted by Southern Pioneer, Black Hills Energy, and Evergy are still being evaluated by KCC staff. Atmos, Empire, and Kansas Gas Service have not yet filed plans.

A recording of today’s Commission Business Meeting is available on the KCC You Tube channel.

Care To Share: $5 Flower Bouquets Fundraiser at Fort Scott’s Tuesday Farmer’s Market

Care to Share is a cancer support group, solely run by volunteers is seeking donations to help with cancer patient’s travel costs.  In the support group, no salaries are paid.

For the next three Tuesdays (July 13, 20, 27) from 4-6 PM at the Farmer’s Market located at Scubitz Plaza, $5 flower bouquets will be sold by The Little Flower Farm.

100% of the proceeds will go to Care to Share. The Little Flower Farm is a local, sustainably grown, cut flower business.

The closure of Fort Scott Cancer Center has forced local cancer patients to travel out of town for care. Costs of travel are rising, and the bills quickly add up. With your support, Care to Share helps our neighbors, friends, and family who are fighting cancer.

We ask that you come out to the Tuesday Farmer’s Markets and support this wonderful mission these next three weeks.

Submitted by Calista Richards
(620)215-3008

Bourbon County Local News