By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Barton County Media Consultant
Barton County recently hosted its Annual Township Meeting, bringing together township officials, county department leaders, and members of the Barton County Commission for updates, information sharing, and coordinated planning. The meeting serves as an important opportunity for townships to hear directly from county staff, ask questions, and stay informed on services and initiatives that impact their communities.
Opening remarks and departmental updates were provided by Chris Schartz, county works director, and Marty Michaelis, noxious weed department supervisor.
Their presentations covered current road and bridge operations, maintenance priorities, and ongoing weed management efforts across the county.
Joshua Beckman, county engineer, provided an engineering update, offering insight into infrastructure planning, project coordination, and technical considerations relevant to township needs.
An overview of Environmental Management and zoning was presented by Mark Cooper, environmental field technician, followed by a Clerk’s Office update from Bev Schmeidler, county clerk, who shared information related to elections, township administration, and record-keeping.
Wendy Prosser, county appraiser, provided an update on appraisal processes and valuation-related topics, while BJ Wooding, GIS specialist and cartographer, highlighted county mapping resources, the county website, and the use of ORKA aerial imagery to support data accuracy and planning.
The meeting concluded with updates from Dena Popp, 911 director, who discussed advancements in emergency services, including text-to-911 and video capabilities, county addressing, and the use of what3words to assist dispatchers and first responders with precise location identification.
The Annual Township Meeting reflects Barton County’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and proactive communication, ensuring townships have the information and support needed to effectively serve their residents.