News
Chase County To Receive Kansas Forest Service Grant
Chase County is one of three counties who has been awarded grants from the Kansas Forest Service. The KFS reports the awards as being “a significant milestone in wildfire prevention efforts across the state.” The other two counties awarded grants are Butler and Leavenworth counties. The three grants total $340,200.
Adams 66 Services Donating 2 Cents/Gallon
Adams 66 Services, 15 W. Main, Council Grove is donating 2 cents per gallon of fuel sold during the month of June to Friends Helping Friends. Adams 66 Services owner Chris Adams said June is one of his busiest months, so he looks forward to writing a generous check to the community organization.
United Women of Faith Washunga Luncheon
A Washunga luncheon will be served by the United Women of Faith on Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Council Grove-Dunlap United Methodist Church, 21 N. Mission.
Oil, Personal Property, Watercraft Valuations Have Declined
A summary of the Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Morris County Commission meeting, includes a report from Corrine Blosser, Register of Deeds. Her department’s 2025 Budget Request was presented as follows: 2024 Budget 2025 Budget Request Salaries- $99,498.00 $103,00.00 Commodities- $4,100.00 $4,000.00 Contractual- $12,025.00 $12,435.00 Capital Outlay- $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total- $115,623.00 $119,435.00 The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process. Ryan Michaelis, County Appraiser, gave a report on the Appraiser’s Office. The department’s 2025 Budget Request was presented as follows: 2024 Budget 2025 Budget Request Salaries- $165,000.00 $170,000.00 Commodities- $8,000.00 $8,000.00 Contractual- $30,000.00 $30,000.00 Capital Outlay- $8,000.00 $8,000.00 Total- $211,000.00 $216,000.00 The request will be considered during the county’s budgeting process. Property value estimates are certified from the County Appraiser to the County Clerk on or before June 1st. Public utility assessed value estimates are certified from the State to the County Clerk on June 1st. The County Clerk then compiles and verifies the value estimates, calculates the Revenue Neutral Rate for each taxing entity, certifies budget information sheets to each taxing entity and submits the abstract of values to the State Property Valuation Division for review and approval. The 2024 June assessed value estimates for Morris County are as follows: Tax Type Nov. 2023 Value June 2024 Value Estimates Difference State Assessed Utilities 19,231,032 19,689,442 458,410 Oil 793,654 696,682 (96,972) Personal Property 3,015,222 2,927,725 (87,497) Real Estate 69,515,754 71,089,496 1,573,742 92,555,662 94,403,345 1,847,683 16/20 Trucks 655,120 739,451 84,331 Watercraft 419,141 388,778 (30,363) The approved minutes from the Commission’s June 4 meeting are listed below.