Commission removes burn ban; county clerk reports election status and nominates delegate for K Works

Bourbon County commissioners voted Nov. 7 to remove the county burn ban and recorded several administrative updates from the county clerk, including an update on election turnout and the nomination of the clerk as the county's voting delegate for the Kansas Association of Counties meeting.

Speaker 2 moved to remove the burn ban and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; later in the meeting the clerk and commissioners clarified that all required affirmative votes were recorded. "We did not vote... He voted, but you didn't," one speaker observed, and the clerk confirmed the affirmative vote afterward.

County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins provided an update on election activity. She reported the percentage turnout figure in the meeting record (51.04%) and said there remained a small number of provisional ballots and mail ballots postmarked by Election Day that could be accepted through Friday; she cautioned results were not yet final and said she would coordinate next steps with the county counselor on newly elected commission seats and redistricting steps. Hawkins also asked the commission to nominate an elected official as the county's voting delegate for K Works (the county's workers' compensation provider). Speaker 2 moved to nominate Jennifer Hawkins as the voting delegate for the Dec. 3 Kansas Association of Counties meeting in Wichita; the motion passed by voice vote.

Additionally, Speaker 2 reported that hospital imaging equipment (ultrasound and CT) repairs were complete and that Freeman (hospital) planned signage and had posted job openings for the Fort Scott facility.

What's next: The clerk will continue to finalize election returns and coordinate redistricting steps as required; burn-ban status has been rescinded and any related public-safety guidance will come from the sheriff's office as appropriate.