The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Feb. 6, in regular session and began their meeting with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.

County Clerk David Lamb then presented claims and commissioner Jim Johnson questioned two of the items listed on the claims sparking what would become a long and, at times, heated discussion among the commissioners. (See related article in this edition.)

During the discussion Missy Lancaster, Director of the Linn County Health Department gave her weekly report on numbers for the department and upcoming classes and seminars she and her staff will be attending and/or holding.

Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald then spoke to commissioners reporting on the incidents they worked over the last week and noted some changes he would like to see to the county burn ban policy in the future. (See related article in this edition.)

Commissioners then approved claims in the amount of $145,747.84 on a 3-0 vote.

Lamb distributed copies of the weekly sheriff’s report and the sheriff’s fee report and commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the fee report as presented.

Sheriff Kevin Friend took the podium to give the weekly report to commissioners and requested that the electrical utilities at the former jail be put on another fund as his funds are currently responsible for all utilities at the Justice Center for all departments housed there and he no longer has any equipment or items in the former jail, but IT does.

Friend also asked permission to donate anything not taken from the former jail by other departments to the STARS program at USD 344. Commissioners granted approval to surplus anything left.

Friend stated that income from one of the inmate contracts is $71,321 and February billing is currently at $67,368.

Friend reported he had recently had some issues with the court as his department was court ordered to transport an inmate to a private addiction treatment center and then transport the inmate back with the inmate “remaining in the custody of the Sheriff while there.” Friend said he challenged the order by objecting to all three legal entities involved but ended up having to hire an attorney due to the cost of transport and the legal issues with the inmate remaining in custody while at treatment. Friend stated the attorney was able to get the order overturned and a new order in place that furloughed the inmate so he could go to the facility.

Commissioner Hightower then asked Friend if it is within his budget to increase his staff and Friend stated it was not as he had tried to budget for an increase and it was declined. Commissioner Johnson noted Friend’s budget had doubled in the last two years and Friend responded that he is also covering all utilities for every department in the justice center at this point.

A short discussion followed and Hightower stated the county should be looking at the cost of ramping up on employees compared to the income.

Discussion then turned to the generator maintenance packages with the commissioners opting in on the Clipper package with the Justice Center.

Commissioners approved a zoning change for 6326 Irwin Road from A -agriculture to AR - ag/residential.

Commissioners entered into a 30-minutes executive session with 10 minutes for legal matters with West, 10 for personnel with Hegwald and 10 for legal with County Counselor Gary Thompson.

Upon resuming the regular session, West reported he is working on a policy for golf carts and side-by-sides for the Lake and Marina and Noxious Weeds has spoken with the Sheriff about switching over to them for bug spraying.

Discussion then turned to airport with Thompson explaining how the airport came to be county property within the Pleasanton city limits. Following the discussion, it was decided the county would try to find a developer to take over the development of the airport in return for a portion of the lots. 

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

Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification

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Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom reported to the Pleasanton City Council on Monday evening that he had received an email last Friday indicating that the city is officially in regression. This means that the city’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has worsened, leading... [More]

USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids

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Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education awarded unanimously bids both for a roofing and a telephone system upgrade at its Oct. 21 monthly meeting. The roof is the first of a four-phase plan for replacement above the high school, this first one above... [More]

Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief

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During the Monday night meeting of the Pleasanton City Council, council member Aaron Portmann read a prepared statement regarding recent events and actions at the meetings held previously and then moved to have the city attorney draft an ordinance granting the power of appointment... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State

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The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Neodesha on Oct. 25 to compete in a 3A Regional to determine who makes the 3A State cross country meet. The Buffalos did well and the girls, as a team, placed fifth overall with a score of 115. To see the full article, check... [More]

Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals

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The Pleasanton cross country team brought their best runner in Dominic Alvarez to Central Heights on Oct. 25 to compete in a 1A Regional.  The regional determines who makes the 1A State cross country meet and Alvarez qualified for the State meet by placing eighth at Regionals... [More]

Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola

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Despite recent off-field adversity, Prairie View’s football team continues to grind on, as evidenced by their 52-20 Pioneer League runners-up and Class 3-A, District 2 championship efforts Friday night at Iola. Buffalo generational talent Parker Schwarz had a night for... [More]

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