The Mound City Council met Monday night and addressed several items on their agenda; with that they heard from two public speakers, the first Janice Schubert concerning a large water bill.
Schubert said her bill increased in November by 280 percent during a 12 day period with 200 gallons metered out per day. She said she and her husband put die in toilets and found no leaks; they prodded the ground for soft spots and more with no sign of a leak.
Further she said her above-ground pool was closed Sept. 11 and is hose fed so that was not the reason for the increased water usage. She suggested the meter was bad and asked the city to replace it, and, if it proves the meter was bad, to adjust her water bill.
JLHS Spanish teacher Juanita Spitzenberger asked the council for help closing roads for a scheduled 5K run this weekend that benefits the Spanish Club’s 2024 trip to Spain. Police Chief Paul McKee said the roads she wanted to close were not city streets and asked that she reach out to the Sheriff’s Department. They said that the 8:30 a.m. run will probably not have much traffic in Mound City to deal with and suggested more advanced warning of events.
Mound City residents that have overuse of grinder pumps will be charged $250 per call for the city to maintain the pumps. This move came after the council voted to charge Burton Harding $250 for the last call out for the grinder pump, one City Superintendent John Bruns estimated to be one of 12 to 13 call outs due to baby wipes clogging the pump.
Bruns said they opened the pump up and every time found baby wipes; once pulling the pump twice in one day.
City Consultant Josh Baldwin said the city has been to the Harding’s grinder pump more times than anywhere in the city thinking of his 15 year history.
With that, the council moved to approve the $250 per call for overused grinder pumps. A notice to all grinder pump users will be sent out by the city.
Lorna Turley questioned the two dogs per household and leash law in Mound City and asked if it was being enforced due to several dogs on a property near her. She said the city used to pick up loose dogs, of which some of the neighbors dogs were not leashed, and took them to the pound for the owners to claim.
Chief McKee said the dogs in question have dog houses and are not deemed abused.
The council viewed the amended budget with capital improvements and unencumbered cash moved into the general fund and Parks & Recreation.
McKee informed the council that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has gone to a new LIMS system, Lab Information Management System, that will help streamline lab operations and help get information processed quicker. He said it should assist with stolen property and is being initiated statewide. The lab is in Pittsburg, Kan.
The council discussed that the city has made approximately $2,500 in VIN fees so far doing 37 of them in November at $18 each.
They are hoping to get another grant so the city can purchase another traffic sign; they hope to have four around the city.
Codes Officer Jacob Bush reported he took a codes class and learned about the International Codes Council and said it would be advantageous for the city to spend $35 to join the group so the city has a set standard for all codes. The city will have to adopt an ordinance to bring new codes in and remove the old standard codes still in use.
With that, the city approved the immediate resignation of City Attorney Jesse Randall as of Friday, Dec. 2. They will place an ad for attorneys interested in becoming Mound City Attorney in the Linn County News.
Bush said they are making progress on the Michael Morris and Gerald Cox houses, but need an attorney to proceed further.
Baldwin thanked city employees for the work they did on the Christmas decorations and events and said the city looks great.
The council approved $150 Christmas bonuses to full-time employees and $75 to part-time employees, including seasonal workers.
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
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
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SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State