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
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