FORT SCOTT, Kan. - The Bourbon County Commission voted Monday night to table the proposed $116,500 comprehensive plan agreement with consulting firm Confluence until the project can be funded in a future budget.
Commissioner David Beerbower made the motion after reading a prepared statement in support of zoning itself, saying the county's budget — not the plan's merits — drove his decision.
“So I'm just going to read something here real quick and then give you my opinion,” Beerbower said. “As far as Bourbon County and zoning, Bourbon County is experiencing increasing interest from modern industries — data centers, renewable energy developers, large-scale battery storage and other technology-driven operations — seeking rural land, water access and open space to support their projects.
“These trends are already visible across Southeast Kansas and have begun appearing within our own county. Recent examples have been our solar and wind.
“There's interest from technology and utility companies in rural tracts with strong water access, such as the Marmaton River, the Little Osage — I'll just say Pike Lake, and everybody knows what's happened there. We have U.S. 69 and K-7 corridors that attract different industrial development.
“So it's an expanding area. Zoning provides a practical, community-centered framework to address these challenges.
“It's a tool in our toolbox, and to not have it would … I think we're going to run into more problems than we do if we don't have it.
“With all that said, currently we do not have the funds to move forward with the comprehensive plan. I move that we table the present course until we can see if this can be budgeted at a future date.”
Commissioner Gregg Motley seconded the motion.
Commission Chairman Samuel Tran asked Beerbower to hold the motion, warning that the firm's offer would likely expire and force the county to restart the process.
“Most proposals have a spoilage date,” Tran said.
Beerbower acknowledged the risk but said the county could not pay for the plan regardless.
“Then we would have to restart the process over if we miss it,” Beerbower said. “But we can't afford to pay for it even if we have it.”
Tran asked the commission to instead wait while he contacted the Planning and Zoning Committee and Confluence to learn how long the offer would remain valid, saying such proposals are typically good for 90 to 120 days.
“Okay, whatever you guys want to do,” Beerbower said. “I'm right now not seeing it as a comprehensive way to move forward — not with our budget.”
The motion to table passed 3-2, with Beerbower, Motley and Commissioner Joe Allen in favor and Tran and Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee opposed.
After the vote, Allen asked whether the county could still find out how long the firm's offer would stand.
“We can still get that date though, right?” Allen said.
Tran said he would contact the firm either way.
“I'm going to reach out to them one way or the other, guys,” Tran said.
The commission first reviewed the reduced $116,500 offer — down from an initial $152,000 estimate — at its June 29 meeting, when it delayed signing until a funding source could be identified. Financial consultants from Baker Tilly were asked at that meeting to look for year-end budget savings across departments to cover the cost.
