The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Jan. 30, beginning their meeting with the approval of the minutes from their last meeting. Commissioner Jim Johnson then moved to approve the claims in the amount of $475,575.17. Commissioner Jason Hightower seconded the motion and it carried on a 3-0 vote.
Linn County sheriff Kevin Friend presented his weekly report noting he is currently housing 31 farm-in inmates for Wyandotte County and the U.S. Marshals Service. Friend then asked commissioners about his prior proposal to include all county owned generators in the maintenance agreement he is working on for generators at the new Justice Center; and Public Works Administrator Shaun West stated he was waiting to review one more bid before making a decision. Friend agreed to wait.
Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management coordinator Randy Hegwald reported on incidents for the week and noted the CPR classes held on Saturday went well. He added that they are looking to do more classes in the future,
West provided commissioners with a copy of the year-end inventory and reported the new employee has moved into Phase Two of his training. West then stated he had met with Pfefferkorn on the landfill needs and that work is still in progress. Commissioner Danny McCullough asked West about the situation with State Line Road and West replied that the county had requested a meeting with the other party and had heard nothing back.
West then requested a 10-minute executive session with five minutes for personnel and five minutes for legal matters.
Sherri Loveland, Linn County Park and Marina manager, requested approval to go out for bids on the dredging of the lagoon and work on the swimming and parking area improvements.
Commissioners then approved Resolution 2023-09 regarding the use of poly-tanks and adding in a reduction in lateral systems requirements in the sanitation code for properties larger than two acres.
Commissioners then entered into an executive session for legal matters for 20 minutes with Economic Development director Jessica Hightower and Darcy Wilson, followed by 10 minutes for West with five being for personnel and five for legal matters for a total of 30 minutes.
Upon resuming regular session, County Treasurer Janet Kleweno reported on the interest earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Kleweno and Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz then requested permission to spend $4,479 for a new copier for the courthouse to replace the one currently in use as parts can no longer be purchased for the one they have. Commissioners approved the request on a 3-0 vote.
Public comment followed in which a gentleman who used to reside at the Linn County Park and Marina asked when the issues he had asked about previously would be dealt with. County Counselor Gary Thompson stated he had received the information required from him but had not yet had an opportunity to discuss it with commissioners and modifications could result from that discussion. The man replied that he had sent the information twice and being unable to verify where he had lived for the last five years was making it extremely difficult to find a residence or to find work. Commissioner McCullough apologized for the delay and stated the commissioners would try to discuss things that day and Thompson stated he would provide a letter verifying residency for him by the next day no matter what the decision.
Following public comment, commissioners entered into a 10-minute executive session for legal matters with Thompson with no action taken afterward.
Commissioners then heard from Mike Dallman with PVD Compliance who explained the process of the sampling of the property valuation and noted that the county was in the confidence range for commercial property sales in the county for both level and uniformity. Residential property sales, however, were in the confidence range for level median and out of range for uniformity. This resulted in possible points of 26.6 points for the county but because the residential ration was both in and out, no points had been given, so the county only received the 3.6 points available for the commercial side of the report for 2022. (See related article in this edition.)
Trading Post curator Ali Hamilton then spoke to commissioners regarding the Kansas legislature renaming a portion of U. S. Highway 69 for a Navy aviation machinists mate second class who lived in Pleasanton when he joined the Navy and subsequently died at Pearl Harbor. Hamilton is trying to raise funds for signs noting the memorial highway to be made and placed by the Kansas Department of Transportation. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners then entered into another executive session with five minutes set aside for trade secrets with Jessica Hightower, 10 for legal matters with Thompson and 10 for real estate acquisition with Thompson.
Following the executive session EDA director Hightower reported on available ARPA funding, with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center requesting $217,500 to cover expenses; La Cygne requested $65,000 to make improvements. McCullough and Johnson felt the funds could be better used in-house and Hightower moved to deny the request from Southeast Kansas Mental Health and motion carried. Johnson moved to deny the request from La Cygne with the motion approved on a 2-1 vote with Hightower voting against.
Commissioners gave permission for Jessica Hightower to develop a request for bids for a developer of the Moderate Income Housing grant.
Commissioners approved the use of the $100,000 allocation from ARPA, which is separate from funds received from the federal government. This grant from the Kansas Housing Corporation would pay for a developer to come in and build houses around the county; the motion carried on a 3-0 vote.
Commissioners reviewed financial information for the airport provided by Hightower and discussed current issues with the pump. She further noted that one owner at the airport is held up on developing his portion of the property due to the county being unable to complete some areas of development. The county is currently paying county, city and school district property taxes. She gets calls on a regular basis asking about lots, but they are not interested in buying them.
“We need a draw that’s not just fuel,” said Director Hightower.
McCullough asked what it would cost to have a developer build on the property and manage it.
“Pilots are not paying for our lots,” stated Thompson.
“We need to develop a plan,” said McCullough.
Director Hightower noted she had applied for a $50,000 grant for development. Discussion then turned to attending the committee meeting next Monday and Commissioner Johnson suggested a workshop to develop a plan.
Chris Martin reported all buildings at the Park are set up for internet and new laptops are in and delivered.
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 discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
- Linn Valley City Council ends discussion with SEKMHC on building
- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
- 16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational