The Pleasanton Council met Monday, July 3 and thanked outgoing City Administrator Teresa Whitaker for her time serving the city. Mayor Mike Frisbie wished her well and said, “It’s been a pleasure working with you – you laid a good foundation.”
Whitaker told Frisbie that the last eight years were amazing and said that the volunteer council were good stewards and had courage to make hard decisions.
She said she felt there was still work to be done but she had personal issues that made her decide to retire.
Whitaker then received permission to leave the pool open until the end of August so water aerobics can continue. Instructor Kym Hargrove will stay through that time to do classes.
The council approved the demolition of Michael Shapel’s house located at 205 W. 4th through the city’s CRRRP program. It will cost Shapel .50/square foot for the demolition.
They next approved Mason Barron’s Eagle Scout project to install two benches at the General Pleasonton Park.
Whitaker told the council that the city’s budget was set to stay revenue neutral; it went from 85 mills to 79 mills and has reduced 13 to 14 mills the last two years.
She said in 2022 the mill levy was 93.380; 2023 it was 85.472 and expected to be at 79.054 in 2024.
Whitaker went on to state that another $50,000 has been transferred from the general administration budget to streets with another $19,000 added for repair. She reminded the council that the $69,000 for streets would barely be enough to repair one-half of a block.
Councilwoman Rochelle Schreckhise asked who makes the decision to close the pool and Whitaker said it is the city administrator and pool manager. She said the pool had only been closed twice this year and it is a judgment call when it is done.
Councilman Jake Mattingley said fireworks not allowed on city streets is a state law and it was enforced on everybody.
Mattingley then recognized Lynnae Sullins for her good citizenship in Pleasanton. He gave her a certificate and thanked her for her good attitude and volunteerism in the city. He said of Sullins, “I’ve known your whole family; they are wonderful people. That is exuded through your employees; you’ve done a lot of stuff for the community.”
The council then went into a 10-minute executive session to discuss annexation.
Whitaker then told the council a portion of the resolution dealing with the sales tax question was left off of Resolution 439. She explained that the sales tax for street repair will also be used to purchase street repair equipment, such as a milling machine. The new resolution is Res. 440 and was approved 4-0 by the council.
Police Officer Mason Roberts was approved to receive the second half of his sign-on bonus of $500 plus a .50 per hour raise at his one-year anniversary.
The council approved changing their credit card company to KANPay cutting the expenses for credit card services by $7,648 per year. The old service cost users $1 to use, but charged the city the fee. The new service will charge the card user 2.5 percent for a convenience fee. This move is effective Sept. 1.
The council approved allowing the Farmer’s Market to use the Community Building Tuesday nights from 4 – 7 p.m. for no charge until Sept. 1.
Discussion ensued concerning the STARS scholarship. Councilwoman Kimberly Herring wanted to see a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship. STARS trade school requires students to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Herring said she wants to make sure the student that receives the scholarship is good for it.
Whitaker said the money comes from the Council Event Fund and has longevity to it. The council then approved the scholarship for Casey Osborne and Russell Purdy Memorial Scholarships 4-0.
The council held a five-minute executive session for preliminary acquisition of real estate with new City Administrator Becky Hegwald included. No action was 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
Souza resigns county clerk post

Linn County’s county clerk is resigning. At the weekly Linn County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, delayed a day because of Monday’s governmental Columbus Day holiday, Danielle Souza spoke during the public comment agenda section of her intention to resign the... [More]
Farmers State Bank under new ownership

Time moves on and things change – and the banking world is not exempt from those changes. When Farmers State Bank owner Dale Sprague passed away in August of 2024, his wife Janice and family made those changes when they sold the three banks this fall to Citizen Bank owner’s... [More]
Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

Linn Valley city council held its first meeting of the month on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lewis Donelson began the meeting by asking city employees present at the meeting to stand up front and introduce themselves and state their job title. The mayor continued by... [More]
More News
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
- Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair
- La Cygne awards lift station bid
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
SPORTS
Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.
Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]
Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville