Stories from Friday, June 24, 2016

On Tuesday, department heads began submitting their budget requests to the Bourbon County Commissioners. So far, the requests have ranged from no changes to a slight decrease to an increase that includes additional employees and a 3-percent pay increase...

The Fort Scott City Commission heard a report of a clean audit from local CPA Terry Sercer during its Tuesday meeting. Sercer, of Diehl, Banwart and Bolton, presented highlights of the firm's audit of the city's 2015 financial statements. Sercer said the firm gave an "unqualified opinion," which is the highest level of opinion that can be given. He said the financial statement "presents fairly the aggregate cash and unencumbered cash balance for the city" as of Dec. 31, 2015...

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the $6.8 million Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center. After construction begins, the project is expected to be completed in a year.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism held a public meeting at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Thursday with Fort Scott and Bourbon County front and center in the early part of the afternoon session. Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Division Executive Director Lindsay Madison and Tourism Division chair Bill Michaud thanked the commission for assistance KDWPT has provided in area projects such as the Riverfront Park project...