MOUND CITY – Linn County Assistant Public Works Director Jessica Hightower told county commissioners on Monday, May 8, that she has invited representatives from Linn County cities and a lake communities that have trash compactor sites to come to a meeting with the commissioners on May 22.
Discussion at the meeting will be about permitting requirements, updating the contracts they have with the county, and long-term planning for the project. Jessica Hightower stressed that the commissioners want their thoughts on the subject.
Hightower, who is also director of the county economic development department, told commissioners that she had learned about the Economic Development Association (EDA) at the last Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC) meeting. The EDA is a nationwide program that funds economic development programs throughout the country.
She said that the EDA is looking for projects to fund in this area. She said the director of SEKRPC is checking with the EDA to see if adding infrastructure and developing Linn County’s industrial parks would be something they would consider funding.
Hightower also told commissioners that she had heard from the state aviation department that officials there are still trying to find case law that will help with selling the county-owned airport southeast of Pleasanton.
Commissioners last month indicated they would like to sell or lease the airport, which has continued to be a drain on the county budget.
In other business, commissioners:
• Accepted the sheriff’s office monthly fee report of more than $39,900. This is income the sheriff’s office has brought in.
• Heard from Lake Chaparral resident Billy Warden about his concerns about travel trailers not being approved for year-round residences. Warden said that he had moved there as long as four years ago when his parents’ health was failing.
He said that he had recently heard that travel trailers could not be considered permanent residence and he wanted to find out why.
County Counselor Gary Thompson referred him to Planning and Zoning Director Darin Wilson.