Curtis Major - The Bourbon County Monitor

County adopts new open records policy, 50¢ copy fee

Bourbon County commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a new open records policy. It sets a 50-cent copy fee and makes each county office responsible for handling requests for its own records.

By Curtis Major

/ 2 Oct 2026

County adopts new open records policy, 50¢ copy fee

No second, no increase: Transfer station rates stay the same.

A proposal to raise Bourbon County transfer station rates for the first time since the station opened died Monday without a second. Here's what was proposed and what was said.

By Curtis Major

/ 30 Sep 2026

No second, no increase: Transfer station rates stay the same.

‘We’re going to do better next year’: Commissioners Adopt 2027 County Budget

Bourbon County adopts 2027 budget at 56.678 mills, keeps 5% raises for employees.

By Curtis Major

/ 29 Sep 2026

‘We’re going to do better next year’: Commissioners Adopt 2027 County Budget

From Fall Festival to FortFest: Care to Share's blues weekend returns to Riverfront Park

What began as a backyard housewarming party in 2022 is back at Riverfront Park this weekend. FortFest brings free blues, a car show, a bike show and a kids fair, all benefiting Care to Share.

By Curtis Major

/ 25 Sep 2026

From Fall Festival to FortFest: Care to Share's blues weekend returns to Riverfront Park

Bourbon County Commission Delays Budget Vote Amid Disagreement Over Road and Bridge Funding, Wages

Bourbon County has days left to adopt its 2027 budget, with commissioners yet to reach agreement on wages or Road and Bridge funding.

By Curtis Major

/ 23 Sep 2026

Bourbon County Commission Delays Budget Vote Amid Disagreement Over Road and Bridge Funding, Wages

Bourbon County Commission Authorizes Asbestos Testing Contract, Sets Sept. 29 Inspection

Bourbon County commissioners voted 3-1 Monday to restrict attendance at upcoming courthouse asbestos testing to staff and contractors.

By Curtis Major

/ 22 Sep 2026

Bourbon County Commission Authorizes Asbestos Testing Contract, Sets Sept. 29 Inspection

City splits $15,000 among three growing Fort Scott businesses

Fort Scott awarded $15,000 in small business grants this quarter, splitting the money evenly between three of seven local applicants.

By Curtis Major

/ 21 Sep 2026

City splits $15,000 among three growing Fort Scott businesses

Fort Scott commissioners split on levy vote, but 2027 budget passes unanimously

Fort Scott commissioners split 3-2 on exceeding the revenue neutral rate Tuesday, then turned around and passed the 2027 budget unanimously minutes later. The proposed levy: 41.886 mills, just 0.414 mill above revenue neutral.

By Curtis Major

/ 18 Sep 2026

Fort Scott commissioners split on levy vote, but 2027 budget passes unanimously

Fort Scott officials, preservation board debate historic district enforcement

A Sept. 15 work session focused on what the city’s Certified Local Government ordinance requires, who enforces it and how violations are handled.

By Curtis Major

/ 17 Sep 2026

Fort Scott officials, preservation board debate historic district enforcement

Hitting the ground running: Bourbon County's new clerk details her plans as commissioners react

Bourbon County's newly appointed clerk, Ann Clarkson, is hitting the ground running.

By Curtis Major

/ 4 Sep 2026

Hitting the ground running: Bourbon County's new clerk details her plans as commissioners react

BREAKING: Annie Clarkson Named Bourbon County’s New Clerk

The Bourbon County Republican Party selects Annie Clarkson as the county’s next clerk in a 39-2 vote.

By Curtis Major

/ 1 Sep 2026

BREAKING: Annie Clarkson Named Bourbon County’s New Clerk

Fort Scott commissioners agree to study $1 million SEK Solar proposal, hold off on committing

A Chanute solar company says Fort Scott could save about $60,000 a year by installing solar at five city buildings. Commissioners agreed to study the proposal further.

By Curtis Major

/ 27 Aug 2026

Fort Scott commissioners agree to study $1 million SEK Solar proposal, hold off on committing