Linn County News
jackielcn@ckt.net
The commissioners met for their regularly scheduled commissioners meeting and paid bills in the amount of $438,935.73. They approved the sheriff’s monthly fee income report of $2,644.
Also approved was the Linn County Park report that showed $36,973.91 income and $13,877.95 expenses for the month of May.
The sheriff reported 27 prisoners with 20 in-house and seven farmed out.
River City Construction Project Administrator Bill Matlock reported the smoke purge panel came in and is almost completely installed. He said once done, the State Fire Marshal will be contacted to inspect the facility.
A walk-through of the new Justice Center is scheduled for June 13 at 11 a.m. by the commissioners.
AMR Operations Manager Galen Anderson reported eight transports last week with 58 month-to-date.
Fire and Emergency Management Director Randy Hegland reported seven incidents last week with 243 year-to-date.
He was approved to begin truck and equipment safety inspections that will cost $13,000; money that is already in the budget.
County Health Nurse Missy Lancaster reported low numbers of Covid and said the Health Department can now take blood draws for full blood chemistry reports for $35 cash. Lancaster said it is a nice service for the county.
Acting for injured Public Works Administrator Shaun West, Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower reported that dust control will happen next week due to rain this week.
She said the county’s insurance will cover the damaged tarp at the airport and cover the $6,575 replacement purchase from Big Top tents.
She was also approved to go out for Request for Proposals (RFP) for a business plan and operational procedures at the airport for future development. Kansas Department of Transportation has airport improvement grants that are a 90/10 matching grant. The commissioners approved the estimated cost of the RFP of $50,000.
Hightower also was approved to submit an RFP for an environmental study at the Pleasanton and La Cygne Industrial Parks for soil and underground utilities finding. She said she was having trouble marketing the industrial parks as companies needed to know compaction information of the farm for industrial purposes and if electrical, etc. utilities are under the park.
Five minutes of legal executive session and five minutes for personnel was held with no action taken.
The commissioners approved Resolution 2022-21 that allows Sheriff Kevin Friend to enter into agreements with federal agencies and others to house prisoners. Friend will negotiate rates and agreements.
Commissioner Rick James asked about medical issues with federal prisoners and Friend said normal procedures like TB tests are covered under the per diem rate. If other procedures are needed, the agency paying for the prisoner will cover those medical needs.
Friend will also handle negotiations to transport prisoners from federal facilities to the Linn County Justice Center. No prisoner from another jurisdiction will be released from the Justice Center in Linn County; Friend said all prisoners will be taken back to their own county.
Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz submitted her budget that was tentatively approved at $136,145.36. Last year’s budget was $155,000.
The commissioners approved Bryanne Radford for a part-time Linn County Park clerk position at $10.13/hour.
County Counselor Gary Thompson presented change order number 17 for $2,195.81 that included valves for the dishwasher, heat and air grill work and a refund on water leaving $92,000 in the contingency fund.
The commissioners approved option one that would relocate a road on Radcliff Road near Ragains Road that will be paved and moved away from the river for landowner Getter Farms. Getter will provide dirt for the buildup of the road that is continually washed away when the Marais des Cygnes River floods. The estimated cost to pave the road is $128,000 plus $20,000 for machinery and labor for the 1,350 ft. of road.
They next approved making Evergy move power poles near Blue Mound out of the county’s right-of-way in a ditch. They discussed the fact that a new homeowner built a steel fence in the right-of-way but did not want to make the landowner move the fence. Commissioner Danny McCullough said he felt the fence should be moved but Commissioner Jim Johnson and James did not want to go in that direction.
Discussion on what to do with the current court building and having Linn County Mapping and the Appraiser’s office move from the top floor of the courthouse into the District Court building occurred. The commissioners did not feel there would be too much cost involved in renovating the building for the two offices.
Several budgets were tentatively approved including EMS for training at $12,000, Juvenile Intake at $58,409, the ambulance fund at $914,500, 4H Building at $29,000, Fair building and premiums at $3,000 and $20,000, Historical Society at $40,000, Special building fund at $155,000, 911 Telephone Tax at $215,000, Debt service on the Justice Center at $618,000 with interest in January of $295,000 totaling $913,156.26.
County Clerk David Lamb said the county has collected $1,451,000 from sales tax that pays the Justice Center payment. The county is well ahead of what needs to be paid on the payment.
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
Lettuce, lettuce for everyone
USD 344 wins vertical sustainability garden grant A grant that Pleasanton USD 344 went after in October 2023 for a pod to grow vertical sustainability gardens was confirmed won by the district. Superintendent Don Epps said the program should produce 400 to 500 heads... [More]
Local food drives to aid Linn County organizations and families
Three local schools and one local business are working to ensure that all of Linn County has a happy and healthy holiday season. Pleasanton Elementary, Parker Elementary and La Cygne Elementary are collecting canned and shelf-stable food products for the holiday season. Parker... [More]
Commissioner questions process of clerk’s resignation, appointment
During the Dec. 9 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jim Johnson noted he had been asked by several people and questioned County Clerk David Lamb on the process that will take place when his resignation becomes effective. Lamb explained to the commissioners that it is up to... [More]
More News
- La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
- Commissioners review option for county website
- SPECIAL: Lamb resigns County Clerk position
- Deputy extinguishes fire at Prairie View
- Commissioners meet with city representatives on compactor sites
- Pleasanton Council discusses compactor agreement
- Commissioners hold election canvass
- Linn Valley Council fills vacant council seat
SPORTS
Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
The Prairie View girls’ varsity wrestling team traveled to Spring Hill on Dec. 7 to compete in the Spring Hill Girls’ Invitational. The Lady Buffs placed 10th out of 21 teams with a score of 46. Gardner Edgerton won the tournament with a score of 179. Here are the... [More]
Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
The Jayhawk girls’ varsity and JV wrestling teams traveled to Caney Valley on Dec. 6 to compete in the KanOkla girls’ wrestling tournament. The Lady Hawks placed 14th out of 20 teams with 50 team points. Douglas won the tournament with 130.5 team points. Here are... [More]
More Sports
- Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
- All County Volleyball team 2024
- Three Rivers League releases 11 man All League football team
- Jayhawk volleyball has a great season and earns four unanimous all league selections
- Prairie View volleyball celebrates record setting season of team and individual accomplishments
- Prairie View football defeats Columbus to move to the sectional round of the playoffs
- Prairie View football advances to Regional round of 3A playoffs
- Jayhawk cross country finishes season at 3A State meet at Rim Rock