Action from the Wednesday, March 23, 2022, by the Barton County Commission meeting:
PROCLAMATION 2022-03: Central Plains Lady Oilers Basketball, Outstanding 2021 - 2022 Season: -The Central Plains Lady Oilers Basketball team had another outstanding season. The Lady Oilers finished the season with a 24 – 1 record, taking their 8th consecutive state championship, winning a Kansas-record 25 consecutive state playoff games and holding a 227-5 record (since 2014). The adopted Proclamation acknowledges their efforts and recognizes the student athletes, coaching staff and school administration for their commitment to excellence as the Lady Oilers continue to make history. It also declares March 23, 2022, as Central Plains Lady Oilers Basketball Day. The team includes Kylie Kempke, Grace Lamatsch, Ryann Metro, Karma Sieliet, Marilyn Soeken and Libby Warta, Freshmen; Kashlin Beck, Melissa Donecker, Addy Ogle, Taylor Sheehy and Mollie Steiner, Sophomores; Brynna Hammeke, Reese McGuire and Kyla Metro, Juniors; and Kailynn Depperschmidt, Madie McGuire, and Kassidy Nixon, Seniors and Coach Pat Stiles, Coach Jim Ryan, Managers: Ashlyn Armstrong, Emma Hickel, Valentina Cellesi, Video: Riley Thompson Principal Toby Holmes and Superintendent Greg Clark. Coach Stiles was then given a plaque for the Barton County Commissioners Hall of Fame. It was noted that the Coach has a perfect 25-0 record and, along with the team, holds over 18 different state records.
COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes: -Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, presented a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. The approved orders are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION: Service Awards: -Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson was joined by Bailey Rankin, Employee Relations Committee, in recognizing Barton County employees for five, ten, fifteen, twenty and other years of continuous service. Included were (five years) Melissia Herren, Pam Christendon, Mary Bitter, Earl Flagor, Richard Allen, Fred Hernandez; (ten years) Cyril Pafford, Tyler Lehmkuhl, Darin DeWitt, Karen Smith, Cody Vinsonhaler; (fifteen years) Doug Parks; (twenty years) Bob Conrad, Jame Allen, Alex Baxter, Camila Komarek, Sheriff Brian Bellendir; (twenty five years) Mick Lang; (thirty years) Bev Frizell; (thirty-five years) Amy Miller and Diana Watson and (fifty years) Gary Demel.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD: Maternal and Child Health Program Personnel, Health Department: -Bailey Rankin provided details. The Employee Relations Committee (ERC) recommends that the Commission recognize Christina Delgadillo, Sarahi Delgado, Bev Frizell, Debra Higgins, Christy Huslig and Elgica Ordonez, Barton County Health Department. The group represents one of five agencies across Kansas to have participated in the Communities Supporting Perinatal Behavioral Health Community Collaborative. Work includes screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period and making referrals for treatment. As a part of receiving the award, the Commission will host a luncheon for the group.
PROCLAMATION 2022-03: World Autism Acceptance Month: -Ros Neeland, Chairman of the Autism Committee, Autism Workshop, Pilot Club, provided details. World Autism Acceptance Day is recognized on April 2 by Presidential proclamation in the United States of America. Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability affecting over five million young people and adults. The adopted Proclamation calls for knowledge and acceptance as it allows people to understand how to be more inclusive and build better, more supportive experiences.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: 2022 Highway Striping Project: -Barry McManaman, County Engineer, provided details. Barton County accepted proposals for the 2022 Highway Striping Project until March 10, 2022. Work includes centerline and edge line striping on approximately 91 miles of County roadway. Straight-Line Striping, Inc. submitted bidding documents that provided for an estimated quantity of both white and yellow paint as well as the glass beads needed to stripe. The bid was approved at an approximate cost of $93,524.35.
REVIEW OF THE BURN BAN: -Amy Miller, Emergency Risk Manager, provided details. On February 23, 2022, the Commission adopted Resolution 2022-10, A Resolution Establishing a Temporary Burn Ban. At that time, conditions warranted its enaction. Given the wet weather, the ban was allowed to drop with the adoption of Resolution 2022-13.
COURT OF APPEALS: Sunflower Diversified Services, Exemption from Taxation of Real Property: -Wendy Prosser, County Appraiser, provided an update. In 2021, Barton County disputed the Board of Tax Appeals finding in reference to the exemption of real estate and improvements for the Sunflower Diversified property at 5523 – 10th, Great Bend, Kansas. That matter now rests with the Court of Appeals.
It was announced that the Commission will meet with the Great Bend City Council at 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2022, at the Fort Zarah Room, Great Bend Events Center, 3111 – 10th, Great Bend, Kansas. It is anticipated that the meeting will center on current issues involving local municipalities.
Also, the Commission may attend the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development’s Pints and Politics Event, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Dry Lake Brewing, 1305 Main, Great Bend, Kansas.
Commissioner Barb Esfeld noted that she, Commissioner Jon Prescott and Matt Patzner, Director of Operations, attended the Pawnee County Leadership Meeting on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Larned State Hospital Auditorium. The focus of the meeting, “What is Larned State Hospital and why is it important?”, brought to light several issues. These include the need for staff, to include nurses, housing issues and more. Esfeld did say that security measures have been updated.
Mike Johnson, Board Chair, Barton Community College Board of Trustees, read a prepared statement reference comments Commissioner Kirby Krier had made reference to the make up of the college board relative to it being “at large” rather than by district.
For full details, please view today’s meeting, found at www.bartoncounty.org.