Fort Scott Tribune: News : County Government

County Government

Audit reveals tax interest errors (10/25/11)
Nearly two months have passed since a host of concerned citizens packed the Bourbon County Commission meeting will allegations of tax interest manipulation and questionable tax practices by Bourbon County Treasurer Susan Quick. As the allegations were being made the information was flowing quickly, however once Terry Sercer of Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, was instructed by the commission to conduct an audit into Quick's office, progress seemed to hit a wall. ...

2010 decisions comes back to affect 2011 budget (08/20/10)
Last year, the Bourbon County Budget was approved with no mill levy increase, however, this year is quite the opposite. The Bourbon County Commissioners approved the 2011 budget Monday morning, complete with a 3.6 mill increase, bringing the total to about 57.5 mills. Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long said that the county received less tax dollars in 2010 than in 2009, which added to further decreasing valuation, which was the cause for the hike...

Former SEKRCC employee charged with 80 counts of theft (07/13/10)
The Bourbon County Attorney's office filed a Criminal Complaint Monday in the Bourbon County District Court, charging Amanda Renea Lickteig with one count of felony theft, one count of felony criminal use of a financial card, and seventy eight counts of misdemeanor criminal use of a financial card involving theft from a Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center's account containing non-public funds...

County roads could suffer if county-wide tax expires (06/03/10)
Local governments could have to choose between cutting road improvements or increasing property taxes if the countywide sales tax is not renewed later this month during a special election. The 1-percent sales tax which was established in April 2001 is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2011. ...

Early voting available for special election (05/27/10)
Local voters are no longer able to use vacation as an excuse for not voting in next month's special election. The Bourbon County Clerk's Office opened up early voting May 20 for the special election on a county wide sales tax renewal which is scheduled for June 15. Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long said the early voting is ideal for those who are going to be on vacation on the day of the election, those who are over-the-road drivers, or those who just might want to get it done early...

OHarah files for county District 1 seat (05/20/10)
Rural resident Lynne Oharah of Uniontown has filed to run for the District 1 County Commissioner position. Oharah, a Republican, is seeking to replace outgoing commissioner Terry Graham. Oharah stated in a press release announcing his candidacy that the conditions of county rural roads and bridges, the county's declining population and the loss of business and job opportunities is very concerning to him. ...

Bourbon County awarded additional federal funding (04/23/10)
Bourbon County has been awarded an additional $3,599 in federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The money is used to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area. The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, USA, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. ...

County to hold second Mitigation Planning Meeting (03/31/10)
Bourbon County is continuing the process of developing a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This mitigation plan will be the blueprint for reducing property damage and saving lives from the effects of future natural disasters in Bourbon County. ...

Fire danger elevated (03/18/10)
Recent rain has not improved conditions

Rural bridge beginning to collapse (03/16/10)
It may not be London Bridge, but it a bridge in rural Bourbon County is falling down. Nearby resident Bob Collins noticed a hole in the asphalt on Maple Road (Old 54) near his home between 145th and 155th streets near Redfield. According to Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers, the hole in the bridge which passes over Cedar Creek, was a result of the underground structure collapsing. ...

City, county have different views of Kansas Senate Bill 405 (02/23/10)
Fort Scott and Bourbon County officials have opposing views on Kansas Senate Bill No. 405 which would change the way governing bodies publish legal notices. Introduced into the Committee on Ways and Means on Jan. 21, the bill was created to help relieve some of the financial burden some cities and counties face across the state concerning the publishing of legal notices in the newspaper by offering the alternative to post notices on the city's, county's, or school district's Web site...

County begins discussion on sales tax renewal (01/20/10)
The Bourbon County Commission has already begun looking at the county's future financial situation. Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long informed the commission earlier this month that a one percent countywide sales tax is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2011 and would need an election to renew...

Damage uncovered as snow melts (01/19/10)
As the snow continues to melt away and the amount of damage increases, funding assistance is being made available. The Kansas Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency will have representatives in Bourbon County Wednesday to meet with public agencies regarding damages sustained during the recent winter storms. ...

Two file early for county commission seat (01/13/10)
Two local citizens have already filed to replace Bourbon County Commissioner Terry Graham. Charley Ballou and Frank Shelton have both filed this week to fill the 1st District County Commission seat which will be left empty after Graham's term has ended...

Top 10 stories of 2009 (01/08/10)
Throughout 2009, the Fort Scott Tribune covered a wide range of events. From the passing of local icons to the community coming together for a common cause, The Tribune was there to tell the story. The staff of The Tribune has put together these summaries of the top 10 stories of 2009 in Fort Scott and Bourbon County....

County looks to have signals placed at dangerous crossing near Hammond (12/16/09)
The Bourbon County Commissioners are working hard to get signals installed at a dangerous railroad crossing. Since earlier this summer, the commission has been working on getting signals installed at the railroad crossing on 225th Street, one-quarter of a mile south of Hammond...

Garland shelter closer to reality (11/30/09)
Drywood Township trustees are one step closer to making their storm shelter a reality. The Bourbon County Commission held the opening of bids on Nov. 23 and accepted the bid of Home Center Construction, of Pittsburg, during their regular Monday meeting...

Officials expecting mild winter (11/24/09)
As the holiday season approaches so does the threat of dangerous winter weather. Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers said Bourbon County could see a fairly mild winter this year. "It is supposed to be about normal," Jeffers said. According to the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, the current predictions for Bourbon County are average to slightly above average temperatures, with normal to above normal precipitation. ...

Area Holiday Closings (11/24/09)
USD 234 and USD 235 schools, as well as the Fort Scott Community College campus, will be closed Wednesday-Friday for Thanksgiving vacation. Classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 30. City of Fort Scott offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. The offices will be open again on Monday, Nov. 30. The city's brush dump site will also be closed on Thursday but will be open Saturday...

City, County offices closed Veterans Day (11/10/09)
The City of Fort Scott offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day as will the Bourbon County Courthouse and transfer station. All will reopen Thursday for normal business.

County hosts storm siren demo (10/01/09)
Bruce Fisher with Blue Valley Public Safety Inc. was at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Wednesday to host a demonstration of a new storm siren. The siren demonstrated is produced by Federal Warning Systems and features live voice capabilities, Fisher said. This capability allows a microphone to be connected to the siren so it may be used to make announcements...

September is United Way Month in Bourbon County (09/16/09)
The Bourbon County Commission signed a proclamation Friday morning to designate the month of September as United Way Month in Bourbon County. The proclamation stated not only that the commissioners encourage the residents of Bourbon County to continue their generous support of the Untied Way of Bourbon County's 2009-10 Campaign to raise $101,000 to benefit the residents of the county throughout the 2010...

City, county have concerns about sewer system at Lake Fort Scott (08/28/09)
Discussions are underway as Bourbon County Commissioners and Fort Scott City Commissioners talk about concerns with a sewer system at Lake Fort Scott. Both commissions agreed that a sewer system is needed at the lake, however the city commissioners had some concerns. ...

City, county to discuss sewer system at lake (08/24/09)
Fort Scott and Bourbon County commissioners will meet Tuesday to discuss the installation of a sewer system at Lake Fort Scott. Tuesday's meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall, 1 E. 3rd. The meeting is a result of discussions that took place during the city commission meeting held Aug. 18 in which Mark Pressly, representing Lake Fort Scott residents, expressed concerns that the city was not fully aware of what they were about to agree to...

County tightens belt (08/06/09)
Bourbon County has avoided pouring salt on the wounds of residents by successfully avoiding an increase in the mill levy. The Bourbon County Commission will host a public hearing at 10 a.m., August 17, at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National, for final approval of the budget which has been drastically cut in order to avoid adding to the mill levy which is already over 53 mills...

Citizens ask for assertion of 10th Amendment rights (08/03/09)
Bourbon County residents approached the Bourbon County Commission in support of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America at Monday morning's meeting. Local residents Jack and Jess Black addressed the commissioners with a few requests. They asked the commission to write a letter in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1615 and to pass a resolution to "protect and defend the citizens of Bourbon County from martial law and tyranny ..."...

Damage assessment meeting slated for Monday morning (07/31/09)
Bourbon County Emergency Management will host a Preliminary Damage Assessment Meeting at 11 a.m., August 3, in the Emergency Operation Center located in the basement of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave. Representatives of the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency will be present for representatives of local public safety departments, city officials, school districts, certain non-profit agencies, and public utility agencies to present preliminary information regarding damage estimates and cost of repairs from the storms which took place July 1-4.. ...

Mitigation planning meeting scheduled for Wednesday (07/31/09)
Bourbon County will be hosting a planning meeting for the purpose of developing a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, August 5, in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. This meeting is for Bourbon County public agencies, city and township officials, school and school districts, non-profit agencies and public utility agencies representatives...

Signs of safety (07/27/09)

Inmates help Bronson clean up after storm (07/14/09)
After a severe thunderstorm tore through the western portion of Bourbon County on Wednesday afternoon, area residents were left with the responsibility of cleaning up the aftermath. The city of Bronson, which suffered a lot of damage from the storm, received a little help with their storm clean up, according to Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray and Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Director of Security and Jail Administrator Jimmy Nichols...

Sheriff's office promoting seat-belt awareness (06/29/09)
Just one month following the Kansas Highway Patrol's "Click It Or Ticket" campaign, the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office is participating in a localized seat-belt awareness effort. Bourbon County, along with Allen, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties, is using special federal grant money to increase seat-belt awareness from July 1-7...

Drywood Township seeks funding for Garland Shelter (06/24/09)
Drywood Township trustees hope the third time is a charm as they continue to seek funding for a storm shelter. A public hearing was held at June 19 by the Bourbon County Commission for the application for a Community Block Development Grant to the Kansas Department of Commerce for a 1,800 square-foot storm shelter and community building in Garland, in Drywood Township...

Woman injured in rollover (06/16/09)
Bourbon County Sheriff's Office was dispatched at 9:29 a.m. Tuesday in response to an accident in rural Bourbon County. Bourbon County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Jackson responded to the two vehicle accident at the intersection of 175th Street and Tomahawk Road and found one vehicle laying on the passenger's side...

Home