By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
It's what we have to do to keep the tires out of the ditches. That was the sentiment of Barton County Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson during Tuesday's morning discussion with County Administrator Matt Patzner. The county agreed to help offset some costs associated with Great Bend's second city-wide cleanup held in September. Patzner laid out the issue to commissioners.
"The city disposed of approximately 160 tons of tires, which is about double the amount for 2022," he said. "As we discussed in the joint city of Great Bend/county meeting back in June, then again in the study session last week, it's suggested the county provide the city with a $15,000 allocation to offset the increased cost of this community endeavor."
The city of Great Bend collected 75 tons of tires in 2022. That number grew to approximately 160 tons this year. The city estimated last year's expense with tire disposal at $150 a ton, or $11,250. This year, with more tires and a disposal fee of $248 per ton, that expense grew to nearly $40,000.