By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton County Administrator Matt Patzner told the Commission on Tuesday that the county continues to be a funding source for projects benefitting the economic development of the entirety of the county.
The Commission approved the Hidden Hills Estates subdivision plat in Claflin last month, and were asked to purchase needed culverts for the housing development. Commissioner Duane Reif felt the move was a win for all parties.
"This is going to benefit Clafin and Barton County," said Reif. "This will help keep their grocery store open and their schools busy. It's really a boom for Clafin, so I don't know how we could not consider helping."
The planned development touches the northwest corner of Claflin and covers between 70 to 90 acres. Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson said the project will include 14 lots for new homes.
"What this economic development money is going toward is a development north of Claflin," said Hutchinson. "There are only two ways to lower property taxes. That's either cut from the budget and services provided to our citizens or grow. I'd like to think we're doing both lowering taxes and growing. This is an example of that."
The Commission approved the purchase of $29,440.80 for culverts from J&J Drainage Products Co., based in Hutchinson.