[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6467093,"mediaKeyId","5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc","parentId",5810715,"title","Resident says Bitcoin-mining generators produce constant noise; commissioners to research zoning, moratorium and health options","audioSeconds",1022,"startMs",2188000,"endMs",3210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc&start=2188&end=3210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467093/Bourbon-County/Kentucky/Resident-says-Bitcoin-mining-generators-produce-constant-noise-commissioners-to-research-zoning-moratorium-and-health-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467093-7dde52216285013060b75ad7edbdcc84/orig.mp4?Expires=1777176493&Signature=D9eyx1ZX7~6DkmfBM-2pSncW-KiUwR6048cM44KY49xworQ0IzqPRd8iIgNmdtJl3SF86ekfZQud3PhBDqh48BEODOyqnZL0j3uFe0Tgz5yNqKIFtfm7NuK09C7CxwgJPKmIzeG74~m9iHZg1zpbdvePkIot8vi8zHAuHPhNJoDnoE1-qS4-YcVciO6qNns~dYrM0lxwW-YjHFYB4VBl2XutshZrhKsaUbg15pzT2rr-C1LmBH4N~4~MVQB2VaNyHLH8d5MQ1uMuI3HAnnzrbtyD1xc2pmxsoFjxWGQiGwvUBpgJY6ThjCey~llbPzDfqZU8Q2pQwTMGOXcT2ZVtuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bourbon County","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","A Bourbon County resident told the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 that a privately operated cryptocurrency “Bitcoin‑mining” facility using natural‑gas generators is producing continuous noise at levels he described as disruptive to his household and neighbors.

The resident, who did not give a full name at the meeting and is identified in County records as a public commenter, said the operation is roughly 172 yards from his home and runs 24 hours a day. “It’s constant. With the windows closed you hear just a humming sound,” the commenter said. He gave measured noise readings during the meeting, saying his front deck registered “73 to 74 decibels” while a tractor at full throttle at one point read “83 decibels.” The commenter said neighbors as far as two miles away also report hearing the equipment and that the activity has affected property values.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the complaint raises questions that cross county zoning and permitting, environmental health and code enforcement. The board promised a sequence of follow‑up steps — legal review, zoning and public‑health checks and discussion of temporary measures such as a moratorium on similar operations — rather than an immediate regulatory action.

County response and next steps

Commissioner Tran told the meeting the county is looking into multiple legal and administrative avenues and has already spoken with county counsel. “We’re looking into all the options,” Tran said. Commissioners discussed contacting the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the county counselor for advice about noise ordinances, conditional‑use permits and whether a moratorium should be drafted to halt new, similar operations pending a policy decision.

The resident said he had contacted officials in Jefferson County — including a commissioner there, Doug Walbridge — who had told him how other local governments handled similar complaints; he offered the board contact information. Commissioners asked staff to collect the resident’s decibel measurements and videos and to share that evidence with counsel and with KDHE. Commissioners also asked staff to check whether the operation had county permits and whether the land is being used consistent with any conditional‑use approvals.

What commissioners said they can and cannot do on short notice

The board repeatedly cautioned that county authority is limited in specific areas (for example, emissions regulated by state or federal agencies). “We’re working on it,” Tran said. “We’ll start researching. You should start seeing something the next week or two as far as what actions we will start bringing to the table.” Commissioners also noted the county has no general countywide noise ordinance; legal counsel said enforcement options are narrower when no local ordinance exists.

No formal action taken

The commissioners did not adopt an ordinance or impose a moratorium at the meeting. Instead they directed staff and counsel to research legal options — including zoning enforcement, conditional‑use review and possible moratorium language — and to brief the board at a future meeting. The sheriff’s office and county zoning staff were asked to help document on‑the‑ground conditions and to gather evidence submitted by the resident.

Community context

Public commenters during the meeting framed the issue as part of a larger trend of rural counties receiving industrial‑scale energy users (including cryptocurrency operations) that rely on onsite generation rather than grid power. Commissioners said they will consider whether county permitting, conditional uses or a short‑term moratorium are appropriate responses.

Ending

Commissioners said they will notify the resident directly of any next steps and expect staff and counsel to report back within days to weeks rather than months. The county did not announce any immediate permit revocations or enforcement actions at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bourbon County Commission Meeting 9-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","A Bourbon County resident told the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 that a privately operated cryptocurrency “Bitcoin‑mining” facility using natural‑gas generators is producing continuous noise at levels he described as disruptive to his household and neighbors.","taxTitle","Bourbon County, Kentucky","taxId",71615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467084,"Commissioners review Enterprise lease proposal for sheriff fleet; first‑year outlay and contract review requested",2004,3528000,5532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc&start=3528&end=5532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc/thumbnail_3528000.jpg","/articles/6467084/Bourbon-County/Kentucky/Commissioners-review-Enterprise-lease-proposal-for-sheriff-fleet-firstyear-outlay-and-contract-review-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467084-71c7f9d4a90c858a14b7b13d3449f807/orig.mp4?Expires=1777176493&Signature=Edfbzt2B~fl9HtT1yKlcHAGvzdaUqLGMb4aJ3hhmtdaq0plC03wD3mjGF3Z3S6NVqyLNqxdzIZSXuix0R0Z2v~ZkhTVzsCHpjySrDcY31Kv~UUzrQvpK3VvrT3IPrrujYOkWfDxYM37OgASRaQboZfAfLRwQY9SSfK9zFnGCPKSqzuL04e3qaFE-rftWL6Vks8CnS8iyR~EHQTWwo4iANtP3UDucR~NewqC-EoqVKp3bzZCwJCPulJvfhRHwbXZqA19k1icVWlBblAMjPje~egX9A5Q8Arm4m7y2z6UhvY2dRffGk33uxhDgGkmwE8L~49z4GIyW3jtSG7wFpajtUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Enterprise Fleet Management representatives told Bourbon County commissioners on Sept. 22 that a structured, multi‑year fleet lease and rotation could replace the sheriff’s aging vehicles and reduce maintenance costs while returning resale equity to the county.

What the company proposed

Ken Olsen of Enterprise and a colleague presented a plan that would roll in pursuit‑style Tahoe units, two passenger vans and a pickup in an initial tranche. Olsen summarized his cost and implementation assumptions: orders placed this month would likely deliver vehicles in early 2026 and payments would begin only after vehicles were delivered and upfitted. The company’s analysis projected a multi‑year average annual net cost of about $163,000 after equity returns; for year 1 the sheriff’s side would see higher up‑front outlays tied to aftermarket equipment and partial lease payments. In the meeting, commissioners and staff discussed an approximate first‑year funding need (figures discussed at the meeting included an outfitting/upfit figure approaching $145,000 and a year‑one lease/annualized lease component discussed around $108,000 for the Tahoe units; staff estimated a conservative first‑year cash requirement around $280,000 when outfitting and prorated lease payments were included).

Why the board is considering it

County officials said the sheriff’s fleet includes many vehicles with high maintenance costs and age (the fleet’s light‑duty average model year was described by Enterprise as roughly 2008). Commissioners heard Enterprise’s argument that replacing older units in a managed rotation could reduce maintenance expense and provide resale equity that offsets future replacement costs.

Budget timing and contract review request

Commissioners stressed they needed to align any commitment with the county’s budget calendar and asked to see a full contract and credit application before any vehicle order or financial commitment. Commissioner Milburn said she needed counsel’s review before the board approved any master agreement. Commissioners asked Enterprise to provide the master equity lease agreement and the vendor’s credit application to county counsel and to staff for review; Enterprise said those documents would not financially obligate the county by themselves but were required for ordering allocations that may be time‑sensitive (company representatives said Tahoe allocations could expire by month‑end).

No vote; next steps

No contract was approved. The board authorized staff and counsel to review the proposed master equity lease agreement and promised a follow‑up conversation about the budget implications in a special‑meeting budget session. Commissioners explored using county sales‑tax proceeds that currently supplement jail operations as a funding stream but also expressed concern about long‑term reliance on that source if the sales tax ends or priorities change.

Ending

Commissioners asked Enterprise to send contractual documents to county counsel and the clerk for vetting. Counsel and staff will provide an advisory opinion before the board considers ordering vehicles or approving financing.","Enterprise Fleet Management presented a multi‑year fleet lease proposal on Sept. 22 to replace aging sheriff patrol vehicles and some public‑works units, and commissioners asked county counsel to review contract documents before any commitment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467088,"Property owner provides survey claiming 40‑foot right‑of‑way on Unity/Quail roads; commissioners defer to county counsel",542,867000,1409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc&start=867&end=1409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6467088/Bourbon-County/Kentucky/Property-owner-provides-survey-claiming-40foot-rightofway-on-UnityQuail-roads-commissioners-defer-to-county-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467088-71a09695b2e3832ffc8f70a4f95055ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1777176493&Signature=V4jpm3vSJe3G1jTHEHm5uP1bZHt0fHBfShkt~G1rEP-JQPwikMZF66qBSHkdHCHmGE~TtDWCTsJHS5gQUtzOWbaFUZamcBTvDlIzwD3DD1-kFrZN3ngqmpuGMO2U80es42j6bzEivSsqqRth-kO5rWR17bk5qnVkAsXOPJn0eWjwd0EEI6jdZGLbvTx-WXiuA7th9guur3X~DXM03Mwwkkj6A1YHwmQB-1L6AaKTh0of4Zshwp-b6DnwFh5xKaOpd96y~NKc4t9Z6o4uuDvhnOJ7KEZqHAvy35Bw1fpRCcwjAvk5gdyOtOeuSlRWQkkeZtxXfk0M0DtCHGunA98p7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Bourbon County property owner asked the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 to confirm that two short rural routes near his property remain county roads and should be maintained.

At the meeting the commenter (identified in county minutes as Mr. O’Hare) said he had obtained a certified 1977 survey showing pins and a 40‑foot right‑of‑way along what he described as sections of Unity and Quail roads adjacent to his and a neighbor’s property. He said road signs and stop signs had been removed and county maintenance had ceased years ago. “The pins don’t lie,” he told the commissioners, and he provided a copy of the survey to the county clerk.

Why it matters: ownership and maintenance responsibility for rural rights‑of‑way determine who pays for repairs and whether property sales require county action. The homeowner said a title company is withholding closing steps because the county has not officially recognized the road as open on county maps.

Commissioner response

Commissioners said the survey and supporting materials would be forwarded to county counsel for legal review. Commissioner Tran and others noted that an attorney representing the neighbor has already contacted the county counselor, and that the presence of ongoing legal contact means the board should not take direct action while counsel investigates and provides guidance. “We can’t act on it until legal counsel gives us,” Tran said.

Board members also discussed county mapping history and the formal process for adopting county road maps. The commenter said Bourbon County maps published around 2011 and 2012 differed and that the public works director in the intervening years used an incorrect map to justify changing maintenance status. Commissioners said staff will pass the new survey and documents to counsel for verification and to determine whether the county’s records need updating.

No formal decision

The board did not vote on road status during the meeting. Commissioners agreed to forward the owner’s certified survey and supporting materials to the county counselor and to revisit the matter after receiving legal advice. The owner requested a timetable; commissioners said the item had been placed back on the agenda for Sept. 29 but added that counsel’s involvement could affect scheduling and that a special meeting could be convened if the sale was jeopardized.

Clarifying context

The commenter referenced Kansas statutes for road closures (KSA 68‑102 and 68‑102a) and asserted that county process must follow statutory requirements and formally include affected landowners and any required compensation if closure occurred under the relevant statutes. Commissioners did not dispute the citations but said they would rely on counsel to interpret statutory obligations and to review whether the county followed proper procedures in the past.

Ending

The commissioners asked county staff to pass the certified survey to the counselor and to provide a timeline for the owner. No map or maintenance change was approved at the meeting.","A Bourbon County property owner presented a certified 1977 survey and asked commissioners to confirm that short rural roads known locally as Unity and Quail remain 40‑foot county rights‑of‑way and should be maintained.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467075,"Tri‑Valley seeks $13,007.50 missed payment; commissioners discuss budget amendment or levy to cover prior‑year shortfall",252,1626000,1878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc&start=1626&end=1878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc/thumbnail_1626000.jpg","/articles/6467075/Bourbon-County/Kentucky/TriValley-seeks-1300750-missed-payment-commissioners-discuss-budget-amendment-or-levy-to-cover-prioryear-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467075-cee02cccd5bff6e64aec283637ca7584/orig.mp4?Expires=1777176493&Signature=cYYVfDj88RC~JsNSe4oON-YcZ5MbGPpodRblKscS9XnEzypXb~fHCBpBKu0syLlU~1pgrGMnQpHzndozgXfDD0ln3cXzdkxwv6iE7uKTSdweNXWjjGGvUI7N3gy8ZrEsx8-tmLdKSkYlq52RhH5~sIFb1kKV~L7JJ1cHyfF8BVgESVBhLSKqojJRsfnM4e-B61SkmICmuBmxWy3EkVNNhgWs6ja0QTEYVEDEeBpDLz8d4~x8iCQxWh5fPvnbLYHMJm7zquD9xEIH7U-JXOAEcWH564X7-gn2sI9gN~Xmr~J76DBsi1EkGEEaTbnG4sMiLu1oSFrTnlsV41gc-KVEaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bill Fiscus, representing Tri‑Valley, asked the Bourbon County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 whether the county would make a missed distribution of $13,007.50 for fiscal 2024 and whether that shortfall would affect Tri‑Valley’s 2025 or 2026 allocations.

Tri‑Valley presentation and request

Fiscus described Tri‑Valley’s county‑specific programming — greenhouse operations, farmers markets and county fair activities — and said the organization had asked about the missed distribution. He provided three documents to commissioners: the current agreement, the past payment history back to 1996 and a budget request for 2026 for $55,000.

County finance explanation

County Clerk Susan Walker and county staff explained how the payment would be handled administratively. Walker said the missed 2024 payment can be paid, but it requires a 2025 budget line and a budget amendment; that amendment, she advised, would slightly increase the levy because the county would levy to cover the prior‑year distribution. Walker and the treasurer reviewed the county’s cash‑carryover accounting: because the missed payment was not paid in 2024 it carried to 2025 as part of the cash carryover figure, and including the disbursement in 2025 requires deliberate levy and budget steps.

Board discussion and options

Fiscus asked whether the missed payment would reduce Tri‑Valley’s 2026 allocation; staff said it depends on whether commissioners choose to levy for the missed 2024 payment or otherwise adjust 2025 appropriations. Commissioners discussed using the budget amendment to resolve the missed payment or leaving the payment to be levied and appropriated in a later cycle. There was no final vote.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to prepare options (budget amendment language and levy impact) so they could decide whether to authorize payment of the missed 2024 distribution and how to treat the 2026 request.

Clarifying figures discussed in the meeting

Tri‑Valley’s missed payment: $13,007.50; Tri‑Valley’s annual request: $55,000; staff noted a carryover figure shown in the county’s budget document around $13,003.41 reflecting cash flow calculations and delinquent payments affecting totals.","Tri‑Valley, an agricultural education and community organization, told commissioners it had a missed 2024 payment of $13,007.50 and is seeking whether the county will include the appropriation in 2025 through a budget amendment or a levy increase. County staff said the payment can be covered if placed in the 2025 budget as a budget amendment, but",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467079,"Payroll vendor disputes inflated cost estimates; vendor says pay‑entry fee is $14 per employee per month",740,9540000,10280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc&start=9540&end=10280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810715-35b038b392fa0fa17adba7fa0efc33cc/thumbnail_9540000.jpg","/articles/6467079/Bourbon-County/Kentucky/Payroll-vendor-disputes-inflated-cost-estimates-vendor-says-payentry-fee-is-14-per-employee-per-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467079-d66bfd81a8a5a7631e4275db5b172118/orig.mp4?Expires=1777176493&Signature=DnSc8G8x-ziAOY26JFB3NRyHjlqCYOsapNy-v9xswowJvi6Nz0nflPF~u~KXXqgb9yA2vXM18iJsBakVJXEdSFek7V38s-ggjHrJosVb285I6wxzYj0GwEcWA39ze2nEfS1DE2VSWlkKvw3O~UN~Muhonuq1awPPqb-EwWvKplrsTkqjv9y4vmKz8A65mn6Rsi46bubhKa9qyYbhzC8o3vJDm24lK9LI2ZQjo0JuZez4QxcsezBNZVaV~1Pi5Z09kwqNEMDsmWPoA3uNn-gL-IgkNFtky4cLHg~hNM29hx-Ylar3QqOinTqhAeCkWi-M8UCCT2v295NrT-xmsZQGEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and a payroll vendor discussed the scope and cost of a proposed pay‑entry and benefits administration service during a Sept. 22 Bourbon County meeting, with the vendor disputing higher aggregated cost estimates previously circulated.

Vendor’s pricing and services

Tim Emerson, representing the vendor, told commissioners the basic line‑item pricing for the pay‑entry service is an $80 monthly base (per employer identification number) plus $14 per employee per month. Emerson said the vendor’s quote covers payroll tax filing, check/direct‑deposit processing, and integration services with employee‑benefit platforms, and that other benefits‑administration fees (for COBRA, FSA or HSA administration) are additional but expected to be modest for Bourbon County’s employee counts.

Clerk and treasurer review

County Clerk Susan Walker and Treasurer Jennifer said they had reviewed the vendor materials. Walker and staff had prepared a conservative estimate for first‑year implementation that included a potential custom file‑feed or integration cost for the county’s benefits vendor and a $2,200 pantry (setup) cost referenced in vendor materials. Walker said some county internal processes — for example, legacy longevity calculations, exceptions for sheriff overtime rules, and employees who require printed checks — would need manual handling or special configuration during the transition, which would increase implementation complexity.

Commission direction and technical next steps

Commissioners authorized Emerson to coordinate with county staff and with the county’s municipal‑software vendor (CIC / Tyler Technologies) to verify integration feasibility and to give the county contact information for technical personnel. The board also asked that county staff and the vendor coordinate a meeting with CIC to confirm whether a direct file feed can be built (CIC told staff a one‑time integration setup fee and an annual maintenance fee might apply in some cases).

No contract yet

The commissioners did not sign a contract at the meeting. They asked for documentation and clarity about recurring and implementation costs and asked the vendor to provide a contact at CIC so county IT staff can test the proposed integrations. Commissioners also asked for detail about special cases such as garnishments, sheriff overtime arrangements and employees insisting on printed checks so no gaps occur after a transition.

Ending

The board directed staff to circulate the vendor’s documentation and to set up a follow‑up technical meeting. Commissioners emphasized they want a clear, itemized estimate per cost category before any contracting decision.","County staff and a payroll vendor debated the expected cost for a new pay‑entry and benefits administration package. Vendor Tim Emerson said his company’s fees are an $80 monthly base and $14 per employee per month (vendor also quoted COBRA/FSA/HSA service fees separately). Commissioners authorized vendor access to county systems for technical","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident says Bitcoin-mining generators produce constant noise; commissioners to research zoning, moratorium and health options

Commissioners review Enterprise lease proposal for sheriff fleet; first‑year outlay and contract review requested

Property owner provides survey claiming 40‑foot right‑of‑way on Unity/Quail roads; commissioners defer to county counsel

Tri‑Valley seeks $13,007.50 missed payment; commissioners discuss budget amendment or levy to cover prior‑year shortfall

Payroll vendor disputes inflated cost estimates; vendor says pay‑entry fee is $14 per employee per month