The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, March 27, and began their meeting with the approval of the minutes of last week’s meeting followed by the approval of the payment of claims in the amount of $372,248.40.
County Clerk David Lamb then presented adds and abates 2022-883-886 totaling -$2,904.36 and commissioners approved them on a 3-0 vote.
Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend then gave his report noting a total number of inmates at 48 with 29 farmed in, 18 new cases opened, one case closed and 103 calls to 911 in the last week.
Galen Anderson with AMR reported they had made 17 transports in the last week and will have the monthly report for March next week.
Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald reported they had responded to five incidents in the last week.
Commissioners then entered into a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters with Amanda Snyder. Commissioner McCullough reported no action was taken when the regular session resumed,
Commissioners then approved a request for Resolution 2023-17 requesting placement of a stop sign at 1800 and Yancy Roads. According to Shaun West, Public Works Administrator, it came to the county as a complaint the sign was down. It was determined no sign had been there, but due to visibility issues, they felt one was needed.
IT Director Chris Martin went over the fire department radios and issues they are facing with handheld radios. Martin stated four towers, in the four corners, basically, will aid in transmitting.
All radios in fire trucks and handheld units need to be replaced to make them compatible with the current digital system the county uses. Commissioners expressed interest in completing the radio switch over for mobiles this year and asked Martin to reach out to city departments and bring it back to commissioners.
Linn County Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower requested an extension on burial permit 2022-20 for Evergy. Their project of bringing fiber optic to their plant at La Cygne is currently held up waiting on a railroad right-of-way agreement. EDA Hightower also asked the fee be waived as it was paid with the original request. Commissioners approved the request and waived the fee.
EDA Hightower reported a price increase on dust control materials and asked commissioners to set a new price for customers. The material price for compound used for dust control is set for 2023 at $1.37 per gallon for a full tanker and $1.68 per gallon for a partial tanker. Commissioners moved to set the price for dust control at $2.24 per foot for Linn County property owners and area residents.
EDA Hightower then presented a grant of $5,000 for sidewalks in partnership with the city paying one third, the county paying one-third and property owners being responsible for the remainder. She added that at least two cities are trying to get sidewalks to their schools. Commissioners approved the grant on a 3-0 vote.
EDA Hightower also presented a grant for daycare assistance. The $250 grant would be for four child care providers as reimbursement grants to cover materials and other costs not related to food or construction. Commissioners moved to approve the offering of four grants of $250 each on a 3-0 vote.
Commissioners then approved the logo for the housing committee.
Johnny Taylor, Noxious Weeds, presented his 2023 noxious weed plan, which commissioners approved.
Taylor noted that his department is content where they are but willing to move if necessary; however, he expressed concern regarding environmental issues involved in moving.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Darin Wilson reported the cost of the abatement at Sugar Valley Lake was $594.
EDA Hightower presented burial permit 2023-02 for Lan-Tel Communications on behalf of Evergy from Centerville westward to Wolf Creek with fees of $11,000. Commissioners approved the request on a 3-0 vote.
Commissioner Jim Johnson asked about possible repairs to the transfer station, compared to a new build. West will reach out to Construction Consultant Randy Page and have that looked into.
Discussion then turned to the walk-through of the building at 6th and Main, Pleasanton, and what it would take to move into it. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners discussed the Health Department and how the county should proceed given the current director’s upcoming end of employment in four days. Talk of reorganization and changing job descriptions, with one position being the director/health officer and head nurse. Commissioner McCullough read a letter of recommendation from Health Department employees encouraging commissioners to promote from within for those two positions. County Counselor Gary Thompson will need to draft new job descriptions if advertising the positions. Discussion turned to scaling back to two positions from three.
Commissioner Johnson moved to open the two positions and advertise them. Commissioner Jason Hightower said he feels like the current staff is not willing to negotiate and McCullough stated he would like to try to come to an agreement with them. McCullough then declared Johnson’s motion dead for lack of a second and then moved to negotiate with current staff and advertise the positions if agreement cannot be reached. Hightower seconded the motion and it carried on a 2-1 vote with Johnson voting against it.
Johnson moved to have Randy look at the Health Department to see what it would take to move the Pleasanton Senior Meals site there. Hightower seconded to motion and it carried on a 2-1 vote with McCullough voting against it.
Commissioners then entered into a 30-minute executive session for legal matters with Thompson. Upon resumption of the regular session, McCullough stated no action had been taken and the meeting adjourned.
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
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]
Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief

Following the resignation of Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief after last week’s council meeting, the Pleasanton Council appointed Jeff Wisdom as the new chief of the city fire department. Wisdom took the podium Monday night and said he’d spoken to the fire fighters... [More]
More News
- 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
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
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