The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/485qibd. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Meeting
January 16, 2024
9:00 a.m. Until Close
I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider the minutes of the December 19, 2023, the December 28, 2023, and the January 2, 2024, Regular Meetings.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Please silence all phones and electronic devices. Recording the meeting is allowed and the Commission requests that anyone using special recording equipment be seated in the back row to avoid creating a distraction during the meeting.
II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: 13th Month:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period ending December 31, 2023. This is considered the first “13th Month” for 2023 expenditures.
III. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-Ms. Schmeidler will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of January 1, 2024, and ending January 16, 2024.
IV. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
V. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. ELECTION FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will provide details. Nominations are in order for the 2024 Commission Chairman as is allowed under Kansas Statute 19-219. The Board of County Commissioners consists of Commissioners Barb Esfeld, Shawn Hutchinson, Duane Reif, Tricia Schlessiger and Donna Zimmerman.
B. ELECTION FOR CHAIRMAN PRO TEM OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. Nominations are in order for the 2024 Commission Chairman Pro Tem as is allowed under Kansas Statute 19-219.
C. RESOLUTION 2024-03: Designation of the Official County Newspaper:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. Resolution 2024-03 calls for the designation of the official County newspaper. The newspaper selected must meet the qualifications as prescribed by K.S.A. 64-101. To meet this statute, and to best reach the citizens of Barton County, the Commission shall consider the designation of The Tribune.
D. RESOLUTION 2024-04: Requesting a Waiver Under K.S.A. 75-1120a:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. It is standard procedure to request a waiver of the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a relating to the preparation of financial statements and reports each year. The basis is that statements prepared in conformity with this statute are of no significant value to Barton County nor to the general public.
E. FIRE DISTRICT NO. 2: Appointment of a Board of Trustees:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. Per Resolution 2018-10, which created Fire District No. 2, the members of the Fire District Board of Trustees shall consist of not more than one (1) appointee from each participating township and not more than one (1) from each participating city. At this time, Hoisington and Olmitz city representation is open. The positions expire December 31, 2025.
F. UPDATE: 2024 Authorized Positions Listing:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. It is suggested that the Commission approve the addition of the Programming Liaison position as a temporary employee under the County Administrator. The person in this position will work with all County departments in troubleshooting Computer Information Concepts (CIC) programming.
G. COURTHOUSE HVAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Other Change Orders – Under Resolution 2023-19 Threshold:
-Mr. Patzner will present details. Barton County has received notice of certain needed updates to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning improvement project. These changes, individually, are under the threshold established with the adoption of Resolution 2023-19.
H. HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Champ Software – KS Nightingale Notes Subscription:
-Karen Winkelman, Health Director, will provide details. In December, 2017, the Commission approved the purchase of Nightingale Notes Electronic Health Records. The Health Department has received a billing of $31,218.00 from Champ Software for the 2024 - 2025 subscription of 23 named licenses.
I. APPRAISER’S OFFICE: Bulk Mailing – Valuation Notices:
-Wendy Prosser, County Appraiser, will provide details on this item. The Appraiser’s Office invited Request for Proposals for the 2024 real estate valuation notices. Work involves the creation of valuation notices, mailing labels and envelopes.
J. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Local Emergency Planning Committee:
-Sean Kelly, Emergency Management Director / Engineering Technician, will provide details. The Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is comprised of representatives from the following groups: state/local officials; law enforcement; firefighting; emergency management; health; hospital; broadcast media and/or communications media; transportation; local environmental group; community service/civic group; emergency medical services; and facilities/industries regulated by SARA Title III. Nominations have been sought for appointment according to LEPC bylaws.
K. ELECTION: Help America Vote Act Security Grant:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present details. The Clerk’s Office received a $94,096.91 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Security Grant. The monies are to be used to improve physical security services. Identified projects include additional security for election equipment storage, to include security locks, cameras and a server; a new trailer and rolling bags. It is suggested that the cost of the project be taken from the Equipment Replacement Fund, with reimbursement made once the grant funding is received. It is noted that this is a 90 / 10 grant.
L. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-The Chairman will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the regular session shall resume.
VI. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
-County officials, individually or in groups, may visit the Courthouse or those buildings being used for displaced Courthouse offices during the HVAC improvement project. With the Courthouse located at 1400 Main, other buildings being used for housing are 1520 Main and 1709 Main, Great Bend, Kansas.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
10:00 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Levy Calculation Issue – Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk.
10:30 a.m. – Program Update – Sara Arnberger, Executive Director, Great Bend Economic Development.
11:00 a.m. – Financial Update – Matt Patzner, Administrator.
11:15 a.m. – Conditional Land Use Permit discussion – “Small Scale Non-Agriculture Related Business” – Judy Goreham, Environmental Manager.
11:30 – Program Update – Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director.
11:45 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, County Administrator.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the Health Department are scheduled for January 18, 2024.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the public on Tuesdays during regular business hours.
D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Tuesdays.
E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
VIII. ADJOURN