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
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 vote to remove trash service from Pleasanton unless city signs agreement
Following an executive session for legal matters with attorney Mark Hagen during the Jan. 7 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Danny McCullough noted that the commissioners had been working with cities and communities for some time to bring uniformity and issue resolution to a... [More]
Commissioners learn of taxing options on leased properties
During the meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, which was rescheduled from Jan. 6 due to weather conditions, the commissioners heard a report from Economic Development Administrator Chasity Ware who requested a one-year lease option on a property that will bring it current and match it,... [More]
Pleasanton Council tables water rate change
After broaching the subject of changing how water is billed in Pleasanton last month, the council once again discussed it – this time asking for more concrete numbers on how it would affect the city’s bottom line. Councilman Bill Skipper commented that they can’t... [More]
More News
- La Cygne leaders talk property, kennel
- Pleasanton discusses changing how water is billed
- La Cygne leaders wrap up 2024
- Commissioners discuss landfill projects
- Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
- USD 362 proceeds with Vo-Ag fire damage fix
- County exploring option for new fire station
- La Cygne mulls compactor contract
SPORTS
Jayhawk basketball sweeps Northeast Arma
The Jayhawk Linn girls’ and boys’ basketball teams hosted Northeast Arma on the evening of Jan. 3 for a Three Rivers League contest. The Hawks got the better of the Vikings as the girls won 52-14 and the boys won 60-40. In the girls’ game it was close in the... [More]
Jayhawk Wrestling Champions
Jayhawk Linn wrestling put up multiple champions and medalists in their respective tournaments on Dec. 21. The boys’ team went to Emporia while the girls’ team went to Atchison County. Pictured are the first place medalists from their respective tournaments, left... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earn wins at Miami
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling competes at ACCHS Girls Invitational
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball wins Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
- Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
- Prairie View football sets multiple school and individual records