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BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Meeting
Feb. 13
9 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 January 30, 2024, and the February 6, 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: Third 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 third “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 30, 2024, and ending February 13, 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. JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY OF CLAFLIN OFFICIALS:
-Commissioner Duane Reif will provide details. The Commission met jointly with the City of Claflin City Council on Monday, February 12, 2024.
B. INVENTORY OF COUNTY PROPERTY:
-Ms. Schmeidler; Chris Saenz, Equipment Technician; and Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology Director, will provide details. Per KSA 19-2687, each County officer and head of a department shall make an inventory of the personal property owned by the County and located in such office or department. The inventory, which shall be taken during the month of December of each year, shall be filed with the County Clerk on or before December 31 of each year. The inventory shall not include books, records, files, stationery, writing materials and blank legal papers. The information will be presented to the Commission during February of each year. Per Resolution 2005-22, the mandated duties have been assigned to the Information Technology Department.
C. USDA-DLT B 2023 Grant:
-Mr. Hollingshead will be joined by Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director, and Patrick Hoffman, County Counselor, to present details. Barton County has been awarded a 2023 grant from the US Department of Agriculture for Distance Learning and Telemedicine. This is similar to the grant the County received from the USDA in 2020. The 2023 USDA B grant totals $185,745. Barton County will be required to pay a match totaling $28,730. This rural development investment will help to establish distance learning programs that connect vulnerable populations across rural counties to vital services not in their communities.
D. ROAD AND BRIDGE: Rebuild of Storage Shed:
-Darren Williams, County Works Director, will present details. One of the south storage buildings at Road and Bridge was damaged in the July, 2023, hail and windstorm. It is suggested that the building be demolished by Road and Bridge staff and that a new building be constructed on site. After accepting bids, Steel Builders Construction, Inc. presented the low bid of $316,420.00 for a 50’x180’x16’ eave height Behlen All Steel Building. Road and Bridge has sufficient monies for the construction, although a Resolution transfer from Equipment Replacement to Capital Improvement would be necessary.
E. RESOLUTION 2024-07: A Resolution Transferring Unexpended Funds from Equipment Replacement to Capital Improvement for a Road and Bridge Shed Replacement Project:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will provide details. Should the Commission approve the rebuild of the storm-damaged shed at Road and Bridge, monies will need to be transferred, via Resolution, from the Equipment Replacement Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund. The proposed Resolution authorizes the transfer of the full project amount, $316,420.00.
F. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-Chairman Barb Esfeld 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.
-Barton County Office Buildings will be closed Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents Day. The Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office, the Health Department and the Landfill will also be closed. Emergency services will be in normal operation.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Sara Arnberger, Executive Director, Great Bend Economic Development.
10:15 a.m. – Program Update – Veronica Coons, Barton County Conservation District Manager.
10:30 a.m. – Grant updates – Karen Winkelman, Public Health Director.
10:45 a.m. – Medicaid Expansion Resolution Discussion –Commission discussion.
11:00 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 February 15, 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, February 20, 2024.
VIII. ADJOURN.