The Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 3, 2023. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of last week’s meeting which was followed by approval of claims in the amount of $187, 732.11.
Commissioners approved three abatements, 2022-887-889 with a change of -$132.80.
Galen Anderson with AMR reported numbers are up a little bit this last week and they are still looking to fill an open paramedic position.
Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald reported that Rural Fire had responded to 21 incidents last week. Hegwald stated he had spoken at an event on Thursday for USDA about burning in the county and had gotten some feedback on the burn ban policy.
Linn County Sheriff Friend reported the jail currently has 46 inmates, 28 of which are farm-ins. He noted he will be increasing federal inmates in the next week or so and should be at 40 farm-ins over the next month or so. Friend reported that CHC had lost the medical assistant that staffs the jail, but is utilizing staff from other sites and is currently interviewing for the position.
Linn County Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower reported that there will be three surveys opened this week for the housing program.
Shaun West, Public Works Administrator provided numbers from Construction Consultant Randy Page on renovations at the Health Department and Memaw’s Kitchen, as requested.
West requested permission to price plastic or poly culverts for smaller culverts due to the price of metal culverts and commissioners agreed.
West reported the heavy rock truck at the north shop now needs a new transmission or a rebuild. Pricing indicates replacement will be cheaper than rebuilding. Commissioners agreed to purchase the new transmission at a cost no higher than $17,000.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Darin Wilson reported a public hearing on the zoning regulations is set for April 27 at 7 p.m. at Prairie View High School. Copies will be sent to commissioners and available at the Courthouse Annex.
County Counselor Gary Thompson reported to commissioners on his research regarding charging municipalities for inmates housed at the county jail. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners approved a motion to terminate the contract with the landfill at Arcadia on April 10; unless there is a change in circumstances. West noted that Allen County has an application process; but, he will need to start that process and commissioners asked he do so.
Commissioners then entered into an executive session for five minutes for legal matters with Thompson. Following the executive session a brief recess was held.
Commissioners asked Wilson for an update on the building codes, and Wilson reported he is still working on those and should have something in the next few weeks and a workshop was set for April 24.
Representatives of Kwikom internet service reported to commissioners on their project in the county, noting they have not started yet due to weather issues and hiring problems, but hope to get started in the next few weeks and should be done within six months; and, when completed will be able to serve Blue Mound, Centerville and Parker.
Discussions then turned to the Linn County Health Department with County Clerk David Lamb providing new job descriptions for the positions of Director and Head Nurse. The discussion was tabled until employees from the Health Department could attend. Later in the meeting the discussion picked up again and not long into the discussion Thompson recommended they move to executive session to protect the rights of individual employees. Commissioners then entered into a 30-minute executive session for personnel matters with Amanda Snyder and Danielle Casey being asked to join them at various times. (See related article in this week’s edition.)
J.R. Kerr reported to commissioners on his proposal for repairs at the transfer station. West noted that repairing the transfer station right now would give the county time to acquire funding for the switch over as recommended by Pfefferkorn Engineering.
Following a discussion between commissioners, West and Kerr on what those repairs would entail, Commissioner Danny McCullough moved to authorize Kerr to consult with Construction Consultant Randy Page on those repairs. West will bring in an overview of measurements and permit information next week.
Discussions then moved on to the Pleasanton meal site with commissioners looking at costs related to renovations at the Health Department, which would take half of the storage area and the bathrooms would be shared with the Health Department.
West reported that he cannot give a time frame on either project but did supply estimated costs. McCullough noted he is in favor of the Memaw’s location and Commissioner Jason Hightower asked how to fund it. Lamb noted there is $30,000 in the elderly fund and funding became the matter at heart. Hightower also noted he like the idea of Memaw’s, but funding is the issue. Discussions then turned to negotiating with the property owner and Thompson recommended they enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition, which the commissioners did, approving a motion for a 15-minute executive session. Following that session, McCullough moved to be allowed to speak with property owners Doug and Becky Grant for purposes of negotiating. Hightower seconded and the motion carried on a 2-1 vote with Commissioner Johnson voting against.
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 approve resolution on one-year moratorium on commercial solar farms

During the Nov. 27 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners, County Counselor Gary Thompson requested a 15-minute executive session for legal matters to review the resolution he had drafted, in response to and to set in place, the moratorium that was decided on by a 2-1 vote... [More]
USD 362 to seek more 4-day week info

At the direction of its board of education, Unified School District 362 administration will be seeking information from school districts now utilizing a four-day school week. Hearing at the board’s regular monthly meeting Nov. 21 that most districts using the four-day... [More]
Commissioners approve resolution for bond refinance

Joey McLiney with McLiney and Co., a division of SAMCO Capital, spoke to commissioners on Monday, Nov. 27, noting they are ready to go public on the sale of the bond refinance that was previously approved by commissioners. McLiney noted that they had been waiting to do so in... [More]
More News
- Commissioners vote 2-1 for one year moratorium on solar farms
- Linn County Planning and Zoning meeting leads to moratorium request for Commissioners
- Kansas Senator speaks on ills of green energy
- Election canvass held Nov. 20, abstract approved
- Thanksgiving events
- Commissioners revisited on possible homeless shelter
- Motorcycle group pulls out of Pleasanton
- Linn Valley council stymied after mayor resigns
SPORTS
2023 All Linn County high school football team

The high school football season has concluded and it is time for this year’s All County high school football team. This year there were plenty of good players to choose from as all three local teams, Pleasanton, Jayhawk Linn, and Prairie View, had winning seasons. ... [More]
Miami teams split season openers

The start of the competitive basketball season is still more than a week away for the three Linn County schools, but across the Missouri state line, the Miami girls’ squad has already equaled its on-court victory total from last year. Rebuffing a Hermitage second-half... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football has seven players make Pioneer All League
- Prairie View football ends season against Parsons
- Jayhawk 8-2 season mirrors 2022 campaign
- Prairie View routs Baxter Springs in first round of the playoffs
- Allen is 3A State runner-up
- Jays finish season, lose at bi-district
- Champlin competes at 2A State cross country
- Blu-Jays secure winning campaign