The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.
Smith announced a change in the format for City Council meetings. The agenda will now include “Citizen Participation” allowing residents to make a statement or share information with the council. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to make comments at the podium. With this change, citizens will no longer have to wait until the end of meetings to offer comments; however, there will be no back-and-forth discussion and the council will not respond to questions or comments from citizens.
In a unanimous vote, the council approved a motion by Council President Robert Suppenbach to pass Resolution #122 authorizing the sale of $5,010,000 General Obligation Temporary Renewal and Improvement Notes. The sale of these bonds will fund ongoing expenses being incurred during the city’s water project.
Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 35 building permits were issued in April, including three for new residences.
Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity in the city during the past month, including one arrest for Driving While Suspended, one arrest for Domestic Violence Battery, and one arrest for Aggravated Battery Domestic Violence. There was also a report of a Protection from Abuse Order and an investigation opened into Sexual Abuse of a Child. Murrison announced the hiring of Allison Fox as a full-time police officer. Fox will be paid at a rate of $21 per hour with a full benefit package. The department now employs two full-time officers and two part-time officers.
The Fire Department responded to four medical calls and one grass fire in Linn Valley, as well as three fire calls and three medical calls and three in Miami County. The fire department will once again hold its annual 4th of July fireworks sale to raise funds for department needs.
Siffring presented the April 2023 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $11,793 and total expenses of $47,386. The council voted to approve the payment of expense vouchers totaling $204,082 for the month of April.
Mayor Smith announced a proposal to establish a “Linn Valley Economic Development Commission” to improve the economic status of the city and act in an advisory role to the City Council. The objectives of the commission would be to increase revenue and decrease reliance on ad valorum taxes, to increase economic activity and to make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to operate in the city. The commission would consist of five to seven members and would include both full-time and part-time residents.
Also being proposed by Smith is the formation of a “Linn Valley Building Advisory Board” to improve the consistency and safety of building construction within the city. This would be a three member board which would report to the City Building Inspector, and their objective would be to review and recommend building code amendments and increase codes compliance.
Service on either of these new organizations would be voluntary and will exclude elected city officials, city employees, POA elected officials and POA employees. Following this discussion, the council went into a 10-minute executive session on contractual matters and returned with no action taken.
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