By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Barton County Media Consultant
Barton County employees came together this week for the annual County Employee Picnic, continuing a tradition that has brought departments, offices, and elected officials together since 2010. Hosted by the Barton County Employee Engagement Committee, the annual picnic was held at Jack Kilby Square and provided employees with an opportunity to step away from their daily responsibilities, enjoy lunch together, and spend time with coworkers they may not regularly see throughout the year.
With Barton County employees working in offices and facilities across the community, opportunities like the annual lunch help bring everyone together in one place. From public safety and public health to roads, administration, elections, solid waste, and countless other services, each department plays a different role in keeping county government moving.
The Barton County Commission joined the Employee Engagement Committee in hosting the event, with Commissioners stepping in to serve lunch to employees as a small way of showing their appreciation for the work county staff perform throughout the year. The County Works Department also continued its tradition of helping make the picnic possible by grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for employees.
While the lunch is a fun break in the workday, its purpose goes beyond the meal. It gives employees from across Barton County the opportunity to visit, build relationships, and strengthen connections between departments that work together throughout the year.
The Employee Engagement Committee continues to focus on opportunities that support employee morale, recognition, and a positive workplace culture. The annual picnic is one of the longest-running examples of that effort.
Barton County extends its appreciation to the Employee Engagement Committee, the County Works Department, Commissioners, and everyone who helped make this year’s lunch possible, and most importantly, to the employees whose work and dedication make County services possible every day.