The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/4iy9HSC. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS and FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1
Agenda Meetings
March 18 - 9 a.m. Until Close
I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Minutes of the March 11, 2025, Regular Meeting are not available.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Please silence all phones and electronic devices. Recording the meeting is allowed and the Commission requests that anyone using special recording equipment be seated in the back row to avoid creating a distraction during the meeting.
II. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
III. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Employee Recognition Award:
-Judith Castro, Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) President, will provide details. The EEC accepts nominations from employees for the Employee Recognition Award. Det. Sgt. Adam Hales was nominated for his continued efforts on moving cases forward for prosecution. Det. Sgt. Hales supervises two detectives in addition to regularly accessing cases.
B. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.
C. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Request for Proposals – Crowdstrike Endpoint Protection:
-Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology Director, will provide details. Beginning February 28, 2025, the Information Technology Department began accepting proposals for Crowdstrike Endpoint Protection software for all County owned computers and servers. This included 280 computers and servers needing active endpoint protection through the Enterprise bundle, to include the following modules: Falcon Prevent, Falcon Insight, Overwatch, Firewall Management, Threat Graph and Express Support.
D. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Request for Proposals – Wasabi Cloud Storage:
-Mr. Hollingshead will provide details. Beginning February 28, 2025, the Information Technology Department began accepting proposals for Wasabi Cloud Storage. The Request for Proposals detailed a minimum storage capacity of 75TB with scalable options for future expansion, security features, disaster recovery policies and competitive pricing with no hidden costs.
E. KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: Central Kansas Community Corrections Fiscal Year 2026 Funding:
-Brooke Haulmark, CKCC Director, will provide details. Funding for CKCC is provided through a Kansas Department of Corrections grant. For Fiscal Year 2026, Ms. Haulmark requests $807,892.86 in funding to support six positions and operational and programming costs. It is noted that the funding serves the entirety of the 20th Judicial District, a five-County area covering 4,015 square miles with staff supervising an average of 237 active clients. CKCC currently has the seventh highest caseload in Kansas and receives the 28th lowest amount of funding per client. The Commission has requested additional KDOC funding.
F. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Vehicle Purchase:
-Sean Kelly, Emergency Risk Manager, will provide details. Mr. Kelly initiated a search for a full-size SUV in an effort to bolster the department’s preparedness and response efforts. It was learned that the Great Bend Police Department was selling a 2017 Tahoe PPV, that would come fully equipped with all need equipment other than radio services, that was appropriate for use as a mobile Emergency Operations Center and Incident Command support during a major incident or emergency. The vehicle is priced, as is, at $20,000.00 and monies are available in the Equipment Replacement Fund for the purchase.
G. BOARD APPOINTMENT: The Center for Counseling and Consultation:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will provide details. The County solicited applicants for The Center for Counseling and Consultation Governing Board. This Board reviews and makes recommendations on mental health services in Barton County and the surrounding area. Kathleen McGinnis has applied for reappointment.
H. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-Chairman Tricia Schlessiger will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the regular session shall resume.
IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-The following appointments have been scheduled:
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – The Commission will meet at the Board of Fire District No. 1.
10:15 a.m. – Financial Update – Matt Patzner, Administrator.
10:30 a.m. – Program Update – Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director.
11:00 a.m. – Updated Litter Control Fencing – Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste Director.
11:15 a.m. – Facility Usage – Darren Williams, Facilities Manager.
11:15 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, County Administrator.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the Health Department are scheduled for March 20, 2025.
V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration at this time.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Tuesdays during regular business hours.
D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Tuesdays.
E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
VI. ADJOURN.