On Monday, Oct. 31, the Linn County Commissioners began their meeting with the approval of the minutes from last week’s meeting followed by approval of claims in the amount of $75,809.
Commissioner Jim Johnson read the weekly reports from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Linn County Health Department into the record.
Fire Chief Randy Hegwald gave his weekly report noting his crews had handled nine incidents in the last week bringing the yearly total so far to 472.
Hegwald then requested commissioners approve the hiring of Kristen Gillis as a firefighter for the Prescott rural fire station. Jeff Wisdom, captain of Pleasanton Station 920, then requested the commissioners hire Becky Hegwald as a fire fighter for his station. Commissioners approved both.
Hegwald then reported that the joint Trunk or Treat event with the Linn County Health Department on Sunday evening in Pleasanton was a success.
Linn County Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower requested five minutes for executive session for personnel matters.
Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West then presented three separate burial permit requests.
The first one was from Anderson County Rural Water at 9557 W. 1150 Road. Commissioners approved the request on a 3-0 vote.
The second burial permit request was from Century Link for repairs at an address on Devlin Road. Commissioners approved this request on a 3-0 vote, as well.
The last request contained multiple locations for completion in bringing fiber optic availability to the western side of the county and commissioners approved these, as well.
The commissioners and West then discussed a contract bid with Pfefferkorn Engineering for a cost and benefit analyses on solid waste storage and hauling at a cost of $12,600. Commissioners approved the bid.
At West’s request, the commissioners reviewed two bids for tires for heavy haul trucks for solid waste; one for $8,822 and one for $11,343. Commissioners approved the lower of the two bids.
West stated the county had received an invoice from Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc., Topeka, Kan., for the overlay project for Ungeheuer Road from 300 Road to 850 Road. West told commissioners the company had opted to bill the county the fixed rate of $630,323.79 rather than the higher fluctuating rate based on cost. After reviewing the invoice and a brief discussion, commissioners voted 3-0 to approve payment of the invoice.
Commissioners reviewed and approved Resolution 2022-35 requiring a sanitation inspection be completed whenever property with a septic system changes ownership and set fees and fines for the same.
Following a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters; five minutes with Hightower and five with West; commissioners voted 3-0 to move Zach Daniels to a new pay scale reflecting his new CDL status and transfer him to Solid Waste to aid in covering transports there.
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