In addition to proposing exceeding the revenue neutral rate for its 2024 city budget and meeting via Zoom with a local mobile home park manager, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, La Cygne city leaders approved a project’s change order that actually deducts costs.
At their regular meeting last Wednesday, July 5, the council unanimously agreed to a change order deducting $8,800 from the $911,900 bid award to erect a new fire station. The change-order request by construction general contractor Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc., Humboldt, is a result of their recommendation to change the building’s steel siding from a thickness of 24 gauge to a thinner 26 gauge.
Dan Nasalroad, fire chief, said that Hofer noted that 26 gauge is the industry standard and that “they haven’t built anything with 24 gauge.”
Nasalroad expects the construction crew to be on site this week to begin the project.
During the agenda’s discussion from the floor, city leaders also helped clarify for James McCarson about property mowing responsibilities. McCarson said that language placed into a contract between the city and Jackie Pribble, owner at 109 N. 2nd St., indicated that the city would maintain “their portion up to the property line.” Last year, Pribble had been required to raze a structure there after a portion was found to be sitting directly above a city sewer easement.
McCarson believed that the property line sat back four feet from the street. Mayor Debra Wilson explained that, after platting, “the city puts in thoroughfares, right of ways, and easements. We control those, but don’t own them. Up to the road the property owner manages. All roads in town are that way after surveys.”
Wilson did offer to have the city’s public works department smooth the area for mowing preparation.
In other business before the council:
--Jodi Wade, city clerk, noted that the closest of three Evergy Kansas rate-increase public hearings across the state will be this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus BEST Center at 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park. She said those who cannot attend in person may join via Zoom.
The proposed $14 million increase for Evergy Kansas Metro (EKM) customers, of which La Cygne is a part, computes to a 1.95 percent increase, or an additional $3.47 per month. The proposal for Evergy Kansas Central customers is a $204 million increase, computing to a 9.77 percent increase, or an additional $14.24 per month.
If approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission after this month’s hearings, the rate increase would become effective this December.
--In her report, Tina Fenoughty, police chief and animal control officer, reported three citations since the June 7 meeting: two for animal cruelty that she attributed to the hot weather in late June and one for aggressive dog/running at large/tag. Wilson noted that the highest number of calls for service (15) for the four-week period ending last Wednesday were for animal complaints.
--No public action followed two executive sessions totaling 12 minutes for non-elected personnel review of applications and resumes.
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
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State