Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, March 13, and began their meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by claims in the amount of $477,015.57.
County Counselor Gary Thompson requested a 20-minute executive session for legal matters to discuss possible litigation. That session was extended 15 minutes on a 2-0 vote. No action was taken following the executive session.
Linn County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald reported his department had responded to six incidents in the last week, bringing their year-to-date total to 80.Tod Moeller, Asphalt Division, reported on his asphalt plan for the year, noting he plans to use hot mix more than cold patch and will focus around the La Cygne area. Moeller stated he currently is setting up bids for hot mix and materials.
Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend reported on numbers for his department for the week, with 24 prisoners farmed in and 115 calls to 911.
Linn County Health Department Director Missy Lancaster reported her department had handled 42 clients this past week for various services. She then requested approval of yearly grants that help cover salaries, community outreach and more totaling just over $51,000. She then requested a 15-minute executive session for personnel matters which commissioners voted to enter into shortly thereafter. That session was then extended for five minutes on a 2-0 vote. Upon resuming a regular session, commissioners noted the resignation of Lancaster from her current position with no comment regarding her last day of work or who may be replacing her.
Kenny Boone with Maple Ranch then spoke to commissioners on a proposed shared cost project of asphalting State Line Road from K-52 south to their location. Boone noted that Maple Ranch employs 32 people on a daily basis that travel that road to and from work, as well as their many clients and visitors. Commissioners briefly discussed the proposed project noting the increased costs to the county for snow removal and maintenance with no real benefit to county taxpayers. Boone added his company does try to spend as much as they can within the county. Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West noted they are simply putting the option out there. Moeller noted that for a project like this the county would need to shut down everything else in order to complete it and maintenance would be required every three to four years. Commissioner Danny McCullough noted it would be difficult for him to ask his taxpayers to put money toward it with no benefit to the county or any county residents; no decision was made.
Darin Wilson, Linn County Planning Administrator, requested a 10-minute executive session for legal matters with West and Thompson.
Following the executive session commissioners approved adds and abates 866-871, 873, and 875-877 with a total reduction of $3,433.86.
County Clerk David Lamb reported that Diehl Banwart and Bolton are no longer doing municipal audits and recommended a new company and asked for approval of the engagement letter. Commissioners approved the engagement of Jared, Gilmore and Phillips for this year’s audit.
Commissioners approved the contract with Scarecrow for mowing and a contract with Randy Page as construction consultant and authorized McCullough as chair to sign both.
Commissioners then discussed the Pleasanton Senior Meals site with several patrons in the audience. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners reviewed tabled items and discussed setting employment compensation and the health department as priorities for the next meeting. (See related article in this edition.)
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
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State