In addition to covering the monetary balance for memorial highway signs and conducting an on-site landfill observation, both reports located elsewhere in this issue, Linn County commissioners approved a matching fund offer to replace an air unit at the Blue Mound Senior Center.

At Monday’s weekly Commission meeting, Shaun West, public works field administrator, reported that the East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging (ECKAAA) has available funding with a 40 percent match toward senior centers.

“We will need to replace that unit within two seasons, so I’d advise to do it now with the match,” West recommended. 

The unanimous decision has the county allocating $4,644 toward the estimated total of $7,740 combined material/labor for the unit, with ECKAAA’s match to be $3,096. West said the county had previously used the Ottawa-based agency’s match program for a similar replacement at Centerville.

Two other public works expenditure items were placed on hold pending additional information.

Speaking to the replacement of rotting landscape timbers to contain surface gravel at the courthouse parking lot, West presented material costs of $1,440 to replace the timbers with stone and $1,904 for gravel replacement, with labor to be done in-house.

Asked by Danny McCullough, Commission chair, if a garden club “could get a better deal,” West said that the county’s tax-exempt status “gives us a better deal.”

Commissioners also asked for more information on an expanded technical assistance program through Foley Equipment, with an annual fee of $1,499 compared to the current $500 yearly one. West noted the expanded program’s ability to conduct real-time equipment diagnosis from multiple sites, including the landfill, county shops, and with the asphalt department.

Asked about its potential usage, West said that “we do quite a lot of diagnostics on our equipment.”

Scheduled for next Monday’s 9 a.m. weekly meeting will be a decision to award a 5.5-mile asphalt overlay project on Wall Street Road northwest of Mound City. West said the reading and qualifying of the bids occurs this week, with he and Tod Moeller, asphalt department supervisor, to be back before the Commission next Monday.

Commissioners read project bids that include width of 24 feet and depth of 1.5 inches of $660.246.12 from Killough Construction, Ottawa, and $766,464 from Bettis Asphalt, Topeka. Product bids for oil prime coat for the chip and seal surface are $3.49 per gallon of primer and $2.54 per gallon of asphalt emulsion from Vance Brothers, Kansas City, Mo., and $3.89 per gallon of primer and $2.54 per gallon of asphalt emulsion from Coastal Energy Corporation, Willow Springs, Mo.

During the next week, commissioners will also contemplate filling positions on the county’s health advisory board. Amanda Snyder, health department director, reported three open positions--expired terms in District 1 and at large, and an open District 1 position due to resignation because of a move away from the county.

Upon Snyder’s recommendation, the Commission approved Tisha Coleman, regional health nurse for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, for the at large position. Snyder and Jason Hightower, District 1 commissioner, will confer in an attempt to fill the two other positions prior to next Monday night’s health advisory board meeting.

Addressing the health department’s recent reorganization, Snyder reported on a department meeting for the Woman, Infants and Children nutrition program last week and a regular staff meeting this Friday to formulate department goals.

MEETINGS

LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

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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

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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

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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]

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NEWS

Linn County News website gets new update

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Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]

Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

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County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000   The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]

Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

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The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]

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SPORTS

Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

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It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]

Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

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The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9.  Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different.  The derby was divided into three age... [More]

Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

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The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson.  Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]

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