Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building.
At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance, Jesse Walton, county public works administrator, introduced Jason Webber, Parker mayor.
Webber said that his council had voted 3-0 at their May 11 monthly meeting to accept a county offer "that was brought to us" from a process that was begun last fall between Mark Hagen, former county counselor, and Geri Hartley, former Parker city attorney.
Alison Hamilton, District 2 commissioner, asked that a vote be delayed to next week. She questioned the length of the term--"I don't like the fact it's a 99-year lease."
Noting that his own council "took a lot of time to figure things out" before accepting the agreement, Webber voiced no problem waiting another week.
"We've been working on this since September," he said. "We're not going anywhere, and you're not going anywhere."
Jim Johnson, Commission chair representing District 3 that includes Parker, said that the lease would shift the building's maintenance to Parker but also confirmed that the county would continue to use the building as an election site.
Jason Hightower, District 1 commissioner, said that the lease will allow the building to remain on the county's inventory. Webber said the agreement allows for the county to run a senior meals program there, if ever reinstated.
With the senior meals program "done away with" because of low attendance, Webber said the building continues to be used for city council meetings and city court, as well as rented out.
Noting that senior meals programs remain only at Blue Mound, Centerville, Mound City and Pleasanton, Hamilton lamented the losses, including Parker's.
"As a county, we're seeing less resources going to the elderly," she said. "Maybe we have failed as a county."
Agreed Webber, "It scares me about the numbers going down."
In other business before the Commission:
--On Walton's recommendation, the Commission approved the hiring of Ben Souza for planning and zoning director at a yearly salary of $53,102.40 and the hiring of Marc Collier as an equipment operator at an hourly rate of $18.7772 that followed a single seven-minute executive session for non-elected personnel review of applications and resumes.
--On the recommendation of Randy Hegwald, county emergency management and rural fire coordinator, the Commission approved the hiring of Landon Schneider to Mound City Rural Fire Station No, 910 and Bernard Garrett to Prescott Rural Fire Station No. 960, pending the meeting of pre-employment requirements. The approvals followed a single five-minute executive session for non-elected personnel review of applications and resumes.
--Hegwald said that his proposed 2026 budget shows a $3,500 (6/10 percent) increase. Part of that increase is for insurance, he said.
--Hegwald reported eight calls during the past week, bringing the year's total to 291.
--Hightower read Sheriff James Akes' weekly report showing 53 inmates, with one farmed out for a competency evaluation and 36 farmed in from outside jurisdictions. Appearing in person later in the meeting, Akes reported a total of 7,973 calls for service so far this year.
--Hamilton read the American Medical Response report showing 117 responses with 57 transports for May 1-26.
--Hamilton reminded Hegwald of Monday's meeting with city fire chiefs that will immediately follow the Commission's business meeting.
--The Commission approved bill payments totaling $575,374.82. Johnson said $501,959.38 of that amount is for a Judicial Center debt service payment.
--No public action followed a 15-minute executive session for legal attorney/client privilege as requested by Chasity Ware, county economic development director, via telephone with Jacklyn Paletta, county counselor.
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
COMMUNITY
Knowing and preventing kids sports injuries
School is about to begin and so are school sports. Kids of all ages, from elementary to high school enjoy competitive team sports but injuries happen in all of them. This article will focus on the types of injuries kids can get from playing sports and more importantly what kids,... [More]
4H Style Revue and Performing Arts set for July 26

The 2025 4-H Style Revue and Performing Arts Show will again be a pre-fair event, held on Saturday, July 26, at the First Baptist Church in Mound City. The event is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. 4-Hers enrolled in the Style Revue project will be modeling their... [More]
Benefit dinner and auction July 26

Trumbley recipient of proceeds On July 26, the 4H Building will be the site of a benefit dinner and silent auction in honor of Megan Trumbley who is currently battling cancer. Megan is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments and the benefit is being held... [More]
More Community
- Wade recounts WWII experience in South West Pacific theatre
- Cultivating Kindness film crew win Telly Awards
- Local roots bring couple back to familiar territory
- Remembering those who gave all
- Prairie View FFA captures State Ag Mechanics Championship
- Free summer meals for kids age 1 to 18 in Pleasanton
- New rescue seeks donations to aid startup
- Cultivating Kindness film premiere held on April 27