Butler Lions Club radio auction starts tonight March 27th and runs through the 28th, 29th, and 30th nightly 5-7 pm.
The number to call is 660-679-3135 and listen on FM 92.1 or on the web at www.921news.com
Monday, March 27, 2023
Press release: Be Informed About the BCMH Hospital Tax to Maintain Ambulance Services
1. Seven town hall meetings that included question and answer periods gave the hospital panel important insight. Some frequent questions were:
2. Some felt ballot language was too broad or ambiguous. Because of our hospital’s situation as a county political subdivision, we could not ask for a tax called an "ambulance tax". The only option available for our hospital to ask for help for the ambulance service is a tax called a "Hospital Tax". The law sets the language for this tax. It was not possible to change that language, but to add the words "including funding the hospital's ambulance service."
How would the funding be used? Would it be controlled by the county commissioners? No. How would citizens know it was used for the ambulance department? The simple answer is Bates County will continue to have 911 ambulance services. But in addition,
-Our hospital’s audited financials are prepared following GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board).
-These audited financials are submitted to the State Auditor’s Office each year and are public record.
-Included in an internal report to our elected board of directors are the following:
The anticipated tax revenue for the upcoming year reflected in the Budget;
The estimated cost of providing the Ambulance Service;
Any requested capital purchases for the upcoming year related to the Ambulance Department;
Estimated Subsidy in providing Ambulance services for Bates County
The estimated shortfall or excess for the upcoming year
The plan for the utilization of any excess funding
Our hospital is asking for financial help to maintain ambulance services because the ambulance department makes up a large portion of the hospital’s operating losses. Rising costs, higher wages due to a competitive job market and low reimbursement rates are just a few of the reasons. But the main reason is that running 911 ambulance services do not make money, which is why ambulance services are typically funded by a community through taxes. This is the case for most of the state of Missouri as well as the nation.
Since 1973, BCMH has subsidized ambulance services for our community, but by 2027, our ambulance department is projected to lose as much as $1.2 million a year. Our hospital cannot continue to sustain such losses.
Read more, including a complete set of frequently asked questions and answers by visiting https://www.bcmhospital.com/tax/ or find recordings of Town Halls on the BCMH Facebook page @BatesCountyMemorial Hospital. Citizens may ask a question by calling 660-200-7046 and leave a message and daytime phone number, or email info@bcmhospital.com. Our leadership wants to answer your questions, and we thank all who have taken the time to become informed.
Welcome Hudson!
He was born on March 21st at 8lbs 2 oz 20.5 inches long and is absolutely perfect!
Congratulations to Brooke (LPN) and Joey Fields! He is a handsome bundle of joy!
Congratulations to Brooke (LPN) and Joey Fields! He is a handsome bundle of joy!
Curiosity seekers asked to stay off roof
This frame from a security camera at the rear of Gadsden Flag Amory on the Butler square shows at least two teens who climbed onto the roof for unknown reasons. The building owner is requesting that the activity stop as there are many hazards including power lines and other very dangerous conditions. Please help spread the word and thank you, it could save a life.
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Commission considers ARPA money applications
Bates County Commissioners Jim Wheatley, Trent Nelson and Kenny Mooney have been pouring over the some 15 applicants who are asking for their share of available funds in the second round ARPA disbursements. Here’s a peek at the list provided to Mid America Live with additional details coming soon:
Osage Valley 25% of total amount
Poindexter (enterprises) $3,000
City of Rich Hill $3,100,000
Water District #1 $266,600.00
West Central $60,500
BCMH $746,883
Water District #3 $142,575
Water District #4 $229,000
Water District #7 $185,000
Hume Fire Dept. $95,000
Water District #2 $150,000
City of Adrian $32,000
Bates Co. Food Pantry $7,728.76
Lily’s House $50,000
Adrian Senior Citizens Corp $186,675
Rich Hill schools $287,408
City of Butler $285,941
With approximately $1.5 million left in the coffers (and the above list totals much more) for the second round distributions, it is apparent the commissioners will need to carefully consider exactly who and how much will be paid out over the coming months.
Mid America Live has spoken to Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley as recently as last week regarding the matter and he stated that there is still plenty of time left to make the decisions and it will be done in a timely manner. He said currently the commission is dealing with some time critical issues at the moment including the proposed wind turbine project, among others.
Mid America Live will continue to provide details as they become available.
Community Calendar
TOPS club meet every Thursday at 6:00 pm @ Adrian Methodist Church
Bingo each Monday night @ Adrian Optimist bldg 7 pm
Mar 27, 28, 29, 30 Butler Lion’s Club Radio Auction
Mar 31 St. Patrick Lenten Fish Fry 5pm - 7pm
Mar 31 Butler Public Library Easter Egg hunt 1 pm
Apr 1 Show of Wheels car show, Douty’s Auto Service Butler starts 10 am
Apr 1 Casino Night @ Adrian Opt. Bldg for info call 660-424-0469
Apr 1 Easter Celebration at Carpenters Cup, Local entertainment. 9-2
Apr 1 Blood drive at BCMH for info call 877-468-6844
Apr 4 Community Cafe @ Community of Christ Church Butler 5:30 pm
Apr 4 ELECTION DAY
Apr 4 Dedication @ Butler sensory park, 4 pm
Apr 8 Foster, MO Easter Egg Hunt at the city park 1pm
Apr 21 Butler Chamber Cruise Night @ Sonic
Apr 28-29 Appleton City garage sales
Apr 29 Cruise Night in Amsterdam 5-9 pm
May 5-6 Nevada city wide garage sales
May 5-6 Harrisonville city wide garage sales
May 5-6 Fort Scott city wide garage sales
May 13 Butler city wide garage sales
May 26, 27,28 Montrose Festival
June 3 Adrian city wide garage sales
July 22 Car show on the Butler square
Aug 5 Glow bash @ Butler Aquatic Center
Sept 9 Butler Fall city wide garage sales
Oct 21 Huckster’s Day in Butler
Oct 31 Trunk or Treat on the Butler square
Oct 31 Sight & Safety Nigh in Adrian
Nov 20 Ladies Night Out in Butler
Dec 2 Butler Christmas Parade
Want something added to the community calendar? Call 913-219-4900 or email midshopper@gmail.com
RV park on Fran Ave still a possibility
All present except Douty and Alkire for the March 21, 2023 session
Watch the meeting in it's entirety here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdW-7GZ_x5k&t=1268s
The city’s relationship with the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission appears to be on the rocks as plans have fallen apart regarding putting together a comprehensive plan; while the council remains in favor of continuing the relationship with them the council has currently put all plans with Kaysinger, who is having personnel issues “under review” until further notice.
The push to open an RV park on Fran Avenue in Butler has been renewed as the landowner has again approached the planning commission for permission to move ahead and that will now move to the council for debate during the upcoming April 18 meeting. This will be the second attempt by the landowner to open an RV park in that location.
In other council news, the 2023-24 budget is cast in stone and the city of Butler is set for another year of operation as the budget was adopted following a formal public hearing.
Miller Engineering will be providing detailed requirements regarding installation of a new roof and other work to be done on the Butler fire station. This will serve as a clear guideline as the city prepares to take bids for the project in the near future.
The new radio console and other related equipment is fully installed and operational at the Butler police station. A field engineer who worked on the project said it’s a top notch system and “will undoubtedly provide many years of reliable operation”. This dovetails into a conversation regarding a $40,000 matching grant that would also upgrade all mobile units as well. According to City Administrator Mike West, this upgrade is quite necessary as firefighters in particular, face uncertainty with radio communications when fighting interior fires in certain types of structures. More on the status of the grant is expected soon.
A decision was made to purchase a truck for use by animal control. Max Motors made the city a deal that included a price break, which is almost unheard of during current supply chain issues. The council agreed to purchase the new Dodge pickup unanimously per recommendation by police chief Jarrett Wheatley.
Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm, upstairs at city hall. For those who can’t make it, a video recording of the meetings are can be found on the Mid America Live YouTube channel.
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