The commissioners opened Monday’s meeting with a prayer from Pastor Jeff Fulk; after which they approved bills in the amount of $415,720.05.
They also approved ads and abates on tax issues that came out increasing taxes by $237.06.
Sheriff Kevin Friend sent his inmate report that showed 18 total prisoners with 16 in-house and two farmed out. They are still waiting for the Kansas Fire Marshall’s notice that occupancy is approved for the new Justice Center.
Friend reported approximately 500 people went to the open house for the Justice Center that was held last Friday and Saturday; three hundred toured Friday and 200 people Saturday.
AMR Supervisor Paramedic Louis Aloi reported they have been able to hire a paramedic after AMR elected to pay for paramedic training. They were down two paramedics and an EMT.
They are finding new ways to recruit employees and paying for schooling is one of them.
Fire Chief Randy Hegwald was approved to hire two firefighters, Bobby and Katie England, for Station 920. Both will be probationary firefighters and were on the department, but had to quit when they moved. They since moved back and have volunteered to go back on the Pleasanton station.
South Road Foreman Mike Nation was approved to use the county roller and blade at the fair. County Counselor Gary Thompson said since it’s for a public purpose it would be fine. Nation will run the blade for the fair.
Public Works Administrator Shaun West said CDL training is set for the county. Those who want to be trained so they can get a commercial driver’s license can do the course at their own pace.
He said the meeting concerning a culvert that was taken out on Stateline went well; the Noxious Weed Department continues to spray weeds on hard surface roadways, plus follow the mowers; a Public Hearing for the Comp Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Commissioner’s Annex.
Change order #19 for the Justice Center was approved for $75,855.64. Commissioner Danny McCullough said it was commendable that a project the size of the Justice Center only having 19 change orders, at this time, is very unusual. He said many times, that is a much higher number.
A 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel was held with no action taken.
Botkin Road north of K-31 is closed for a box culvert replacement for the next 60 days.
County Clerk David Lamb said he spent more time this weekend, following a special meeting on the budget Friday, and said he picked up some tax revenue from delinquent taxes. He also adjusted fuel sales at the airport to match closer to what is being bought helping with numbers – all to get the county below the revenue neutral level.
He said with the current desire to give employees a five-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that would take the county over revenue neutral by $170,000 to $171,000. He said he could reduce reserve funds to be at the revenue neutral amount.
Lamb continued that the Rural Fire Budget was a few dollars short of meeting revenue neutral, with no COL increase, so he said Hegwald’s salary that is split between Rural Fire and Emergency Management (EM) could be moved more on the EM side that is taken out of the county’s general fund.
He said if they publish the budget next week, the county could hold a public hearing on Aug. 8.
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