Bourbon County commissioners have moved to eliminate financial support for the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, joining the other five counties in the nonprofit’s service area to enact significant funding cuts to the organization.
In a resolution dated June 30, 2025, commissioners moved to repeal a resolution dating back to 1961 that established a ½ mill on Bourbon County properties to support SEKMHC. County clerk Susan Walker told the Register the levy raised an estimated $95,000 per year.
The resolution reads that the Bourbon County commission “remains committed to supporting the mission and goals of mental health in our community and the importance of having this organization here in Bourbon County.”
It also clarifies that the Bourbon County commission will continue to have a presence on SEKMHC’s governing board and that those individuals will have “knowledge in the field of mental health” and not be in “direct conflict with the organization that is directly competing with this organization.” The identity of that competing organization is unclear.
The 1961 resolution was established the same year SEKMHC was founded. In 2024, SEKMHC reported 35,482 services provided in Bourbon County alone. Those services include case management, therapy, psychiatry and other crisis services. In 2022, that number was around 21,000. The center employs about 80 individuals in Bourbon County.
Bourbon County’s three commissioners are David Beerbower, Mika Milburn-Kee and Sam Tran.
NATHAN FAWSON, CEO of SEKMHC, addressed the commission during their June 23 meeting. He was joined by John “Marty” Dewitt, a member of SEKMHC’s governing board, and Bryan Cook, the center’s Director of Crisis Services.
Destry Brown, Superintendent for USD 234 Fort Scott, and Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin also provided the commission with statements supporting the mental health center.
“I’m a true believer in every kid. I want every kid to have a fighting chance when they leave our school system. And so that means we have to provide whatever needs and whatever we can to help them be successful,” said Brown.
“We partner with lots of different agencies,” he continued. “But one of our biggest partnerships is with SEK Mental Health Center.” He then described the services provided by outpatient therapists and case managers in Fort Scott schools.
“The mental health needs are pretty large right now. It used to be taboo. It’s not that way anymore. Kids come and seek out the services,” Brown said.
Sheriff Martin also said his office has a strong relationship with SEKMHC. “When we need them, we call. They’re more than willing to step up and do what needs to be addressed,” Martin told the commission. “We work together and have a good working relationship.”
Commissioner Milburn-Kee noted that when the 1961 resolution was signed, “I was not born yet,” and at that point SEKMHC needed the county’s support. It seemed clear to her that is no longer the case.
“There are other funds available,” said Milburn-Kee. “They have figured out how to do that and grow and still be a part of our community.”
Fawson didn’t exactly contest that assertion.
“Given our development and our devotion to grant initiatives, we have become more self-sustaining than we have previously,” Fawson said. “The day may come in future years where our funding support may subside and as such we may be coming to the county to say, ‘Please help.’”
