Council members for the city of Blue Mound met on Monday, Aug. 1, for their annual budget hearing. Council reviewed the 2023 projected budget and noted changes from the current year, with a rise in utility budget and a cut in street improvement. However, the city will remain revenue neutral. With their being no public comments, the council closed the budget hearing and opened their regular monthly meeting.
It was noted that the audit contract for 2021 had not been signed; after brief discussion, the council voted and approved the signing of the contract.
The council then discussed further the budget as presented at the budget hearing. Mayor Russell Beth stated that the county wants entities to remain revenue neutral. Due to Blue Mound not receiving the same money the county has given them the past several years, numbers changed in different categories, as mentioned above. However, the city will be able to remain revenue neutral. After more discussion, the council voted and approved the budget as presented.
It was noted that there had been recent issues on the generator at the lift station. Beth informed the council he had talked with Federal Surplus, and looked at different models of generators. Council discussed the pros and cons of the different models; approved the potential purchase of a new generator.
In conjunction with the generator, city clerk and head of maintenance, Max Krull, shared with the council the prospect of putting a three-walled carport over the lift station, so that a generator could be left out, and not worry about the elements. He would like to have the carport placed in a way that the structure could be rolled back, if necessary. Council members discussed the idea, and decided to wait until the engineer comes back about other sewer/water projects in the works.
Beth noted the tires on the road grader need replaced. He and council member Christopher Bownes will both check on prices for the tires.
The council discussed utility bills on two homes that have had no electricity hooked up since last year’s wind storm. The owner has paid the minimum fees on both in hopes of hooking power back up soon. Council members agreed to pause service to the individual until he is able to move back into the homes and restore power.
The council approved the following: minutes of the previous meeting; payment of bills in the amount of $39,037.56; and approval of the audit for the current budget.
MEETINGS
LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 23, and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $272,818.97. Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald presented... [More]
LA CYGNE CITY COUNCIL - Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Among actions at the regular La Cygne council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 18, was a split vote in which the city accepts a draft agreement for title search and warranty deed preparation of seven lots at 402 S. Broadway in exchange for absorbing a $16,400 house demolition bill.... [More]
LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present. Following approval of the October 9th and October 14th meeting minutes, Mayor Smith opened the floor... [More]
More Meetings
- USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 2, 2023
- PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- BLUE MOUND CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, August 28, 2023
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 28, 2023
- USD 344 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
- USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road

During the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on March 10, Renee Slinkard of rural Parker, asked once again that the county look into the possibility of paving a three and half mile section of Devlin Road. Slinkard told the commissioners, as she had previously, that the... [More]
Board votes to extend Meik contract

Ray Scholarship discussed at USD 344 board meeting Meeting Monday night, again with a packed board room, the Board of USD 344 voted to extend Elementary Principal Nathan Meik’s contract through the 2026/2027 school year in a 4-3 vote; board members Cindy Inman,... [More]
Resident questions legal opinion on approved minor plat

On March 10, Jan Longnecker spoke to the Linn County Commissioners regarding a legal opinion given at the previous meeting on March 3 on the minor plat that was approved by a former Planning and Zoning Administrator for a property near Parker. Longnecker began by stating he wasn’t... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council moves forward with street grant process
- La Cygne leaders approve water plant maintenance
- Blue Mound hears updates on possible water tower project
- Linn Valley eyes potential economic development opportunity
- Pleasanton council discusses compactor contract
- Plane crashes in Linn County duck marsh, pilot calls 9-1-1
- Parker dissolves police department--for now
- STARS votes to separate from FSCC for upcoming school year
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up

The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team had quite the run to their Sub-State tournament bracket this year. The Jays were in the 2A Yates Center Sub-Sate Bracket 1 as a five seed. They won their first game against the 12 seed Eureka on Feb. 27 to advance to the semifinal... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha

The Prairie View girls’ basketball team traveled to Neodesha on March 4 to compete in the 3A girls’ basketball Columbus Sub-State Bracket #2 semifinal. The girls reached this game by defeating Iola in the first round on Feb. 27 at Prairie View, 39-35. In this... [More]
More Sports
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends three to State
- Blu-Jays defeat two Missouri foes
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling places third at East Regional as seven qualify for State
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify six for State
- Pleasanton basketball faces TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Northeast Arma