The Commission met for the County and for Fire District No. 1 on Wednesday, September 24, 2022.
COUNTY
OLD BUSINESS - ITEM A. CITY OF ELLINWOOD: Water and Wastewater Improvements: -Chris Komarek, Ellinwood City Administrator, provide details. The City of Ellinwood is working to develop a water and wastewater improvement project. Included in the project are both the new hospital and new housing area. As quotes are currently being accepted for needed materials, the City will ask that the County provide financial assistance. This item was tabled on July 27, 2022. The Commission approved $300,000.00 in support funding with Great Bend Economic Development providing administration of the monies.
ITEM B. RURAL WATER DISTRICT NO. 1: Infrastructure Improvement Assistance: -Mary Anne Stoskopf, Secretary/Treasurer, Barton County Rural Water District No. 1, provided details. Russell County Rural Water District No. 3 has proposed acquiring Rural Water District No. 1. In addition to providing Barton County residents with an option for an improved water system, the consolidated Water Districts would be poised for a planned project that involves purchasing water from the City of Hoisington to sell in bulk to the City of Bunker Hill. Ms. Stoskopf will ask that the Commission contribute funding to improve infrastructure. This item was tabled on August 17, 2022. The Commission will provide $65,000.00 in support funding.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM A. CITY OF CLAFLIN: Assistance with Grant Award: -Casey Hubbard, Claflin City Council member, will provide details. The City of Claflin was awarded a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant for the purchase of a new recycling trailer. The grant award is $15,720.75, with a cash match amount of $5,240.25. The City of Claflin asks that the County assist by providing a match. The Commission will provide $5,240.25 in support funding.
ITEM B. SUNFLOWER DIVERSIFIED SERVICES: Glass Recycling Project: -Sunflower Diversified Services has requested matching funds for a grant to support glass recycling efforts. It is suggested that the County provide up to a fifty percent match for the $12,878.96 project. The Commission will provide _______ in support funding.
ITEM C. FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Grant Deadline Extension: - During the September 21, 2021, Commission Meeting, AJN Investments, LLC was allocated $20,000.00 for façade improvements for the building located at 1315 Main, Great Bend, Kansas. As the building has now been moved into an historical district, project planning has been delayed. The Commission extended the grant period to June 30, 2023.
ADDED ITEM - RESOLUTION 2022-21: A Resolution Establishing a Permitting System for Bailing Hay in County Right of Way and Rescinding Resolution 2021-09, Same, Adopted March 12, 2021: -Darren Williams, County Works Director, presented details. This Resolution created a permitting system for bailing hay in County right-of-way. Included was a Barton County Harvesting Hay on County Right-of-Way application which describes the Permit, Performance and Liability directives. The County Works Director manages the program under established guidelines and provide the Commission an annual report relative to the permitting and permitting fees collected. After receiving complaints from a concerned party, the adopted Resolution moves the original August 15th date to complete bailing to September 15th.
FIRE DISTRICT 10am
BUDGET HEARING: 2023 Operating Budget: -Matt Patzner, Barton County Director of Operations, provided details. Fire District officials were asked to submit a preliminary budget request for the 2023 Operating Year. It was presented to receive public comment.
NEW BUSINESS – ITEM A. ADOPTION OF THE 2023 FIRE DISTRICT OPERATING BUDGET: -Mr. Patzner provided details. The Budget Hearing for the proposed 2023 Operating Budget was conducted prior to this Regular Meeting. The Governing Body adopted the proposed budget.