Action from the Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Barton County Commission meeting:
APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: -An Accounts Payable Register was approved for the period of March 2, 2022, and ending March 16, 2022.
NEW BUSINESS - ITEM A. YOUTH CREW: Take Down Tobacco Day: - Tally Wikum, Hoisington High School; Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School; and Keegan Roblyer, Great Bend Middle School, represented Youth Crew at Take Down Tobacco Day in Topeka in early March. The students were introduced and discussed their day. In addition, the youth detailed community goals determined after attending this event.
ITEM B. GREAT BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Financial Support: -Sara Hayden, Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) President, will provide details. In 2021, Great Bend Economic Development, in partnership with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, received a Community Service Tax Credit Program grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce in the amount of $200,000 for the area childcare network. Since that time, the GBED has continued to seek funding as the project moves forward. The item was tabled to determine if the City of Great Bend could provide additional monies.
ITEM C. HEALTH DEPARTMENT: KDHE Teen Pregnancy Targeted Case Management Additional Grant Funding: -Karen Winkelman, Health Director, will provide details. Barton County is eligible to receive formula funds for the Teen Pregnancy Targeted Case Management Additional Grant Funding for the current state fiscal year. The Commission accepted the $3,867.00 in grant funding.
ITEM D. REVIEW OF THE BURN BAN: -Amy Miller, Emergency Risk Manager, will provide details. On February 23, 2022, the Commission adopted Resolution 2022-10, A Resolution Establishing a Temporary Burn Ban. At that time, conditions warranted its enaction. The burn ban continues.
ITEM E. COUNTY ENGINEER: Approval of KDOT Cost Share Program Agreement No. 50-22 for the Resurfacing of SW 40 Avenue (Airport Road): -Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details. Barton County has been approved for Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Cost Share Program funding to resurface SW 40 Avenue (Airport Road) from the US-56 intersection north to the West Barton County Road intersection. Barton County will design, advertise and administer the project. KDOT will reimburse the County 75% of the actual costs up to a maximum $600,000.00. Barton County is responsible for 100% of construction costs over the $800,000.00 estimated cost, as well as 100% of the costs for design and inspection, which are estimated at no more than $25,000.00. The Commission approved the project.
ITEM F. SANDPIT: Finalize Purchase of Real Estate: -Matt Patzner, Director of Operations, will provide details. In order to protect the County’s commitment to infrastructure, the Commission approved the purchase of ground in the W/2, Sec. 5, T20S, R11W on November 9, 2021. Following the completion of a survey, the total cost, based on actual acreage of 54.1135, is $270,567.50. The purchase was finalized.
ITEM G. COUNTY COMMISSION: Recognizing James R. Daily: -Chairman Shawn Hutchinson will provide details. Commissioner James R. Daily faithfully served Barton County in law enforcement both at the City of Great Bend and as the Barton County Sheriff from 1989-2001. He then moved to Newton where he became the Chief of Police. Upon his return to Barton County, he was selected to fulfill an unexpired term as Commissioner and was sworn into office on April 15, 2019. Early this year, Commissioner Daily announced his resignation as he is moving out of the area to provide for his wife’s health care. At this time, Commissioner Daily was recognized for his public service.
It was announced that County officials have been invited to attend the Pawnee County Leadership Meeting to be held from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Larned State Hospital Auditorium, 1301 Highway 264, Larned, Kansas. The focus of the meeting is “What is Larned State Hospital and why is it important?”
Commissioner Kirby Krier noted the continued impressive win streak of the Central Plains basketball teams. The Commission will honor the teams later this month.
Commissioner Barb Esfeld noted the loss of Ellen Fischer, who recently retired from the Appraiser’s Office.