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/4iu3KX2. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Meeting, March 11, 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. Consider the minutes of the March 4, 2025, Regular Meeting.
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. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of February 25, 2025, and ending March 11, 2025.
IV. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION: Service Awards:
-Judith Castro, Employee Engagement Committee President, will present details. Barton County employees are recognized for continuous service for five, ten, fifteen, twenty and other years. The County Commission will recognize employees for their service.
B. COMMISSION: Employee Engagement Committee:
-Ms. Castro will provide details. The Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) is charged with creating short- and long-term goals and project development to improve employee retention and employee satisfaction. All terms expire December 31, 2025.
C. COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Barton County Rural Water District No. 2:
-Mark Dean, Rural Water District No. 2, will provide details. Barton Rural Water District No. 2 provides safe water to approximately 400 people in the Bissell’s Point, Walnut Creek, Richter and BoMAR subdivisions as well as the Wetlands Education Center, the State of Kansas Office at Cheyenne Bottoms and the Barton County Landfill. It has been determined that nitrate levels will require the District to develop a new water source. Engineering estimates put the cost of that source at $980,000.00. The Water District is requesting $65,000.00 in support funding.
D. COUNTY ENGINEER: 2025 NE 30 Road Resurfacing Project Bids:
-Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details. The County accepted bids until February 26, 2025, for the 2025 NE 30 Road Resurfacing Project. The project includes a 1.5-inch hot mix asphalt overlay, milling, rock edge wedges and permanent pavement markings on NE 30 Road from NE 30 Avenue to the K-156 highway intersection. Venture Corporation submitted the only bid for $527,030.85. If awarded, Venture anticipates doing the work sometime in July of this year.
E. APPRAISER’S OFFICE: Updated Pricing for Bulk Mailing – Valuation Notices:
-Wendy Prosser, County Appraiser, will provide details on this item. Due to an increase in postage costs, the Masters Touch billing totaled $8,704.92. This represents an overage of $247.89. It is requested that the overage be approved with payment made through the Appraiser’s Account of the General Fund.
F. CENTRAL KANSAS COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS: Letter of Support for Increased Funding:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will provide details. The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) provides grants to county departments to fund community corrections. These grants help counties supervise and support people who have been convicted of felonies. While the KDOC is currently considering different funding formulas, statistical information indicates Central Kansas Community Corrections is largely underfunded. The Commission will consider a Letter of Support for increased local funding.
G. FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS: FIG 25:
-Mr. Patzner will provide details. On March 6, 2025, the Commission held an information meeting for the upcoming FIG program. For 2025, Barton County has pledged $120,000.00 for Façade Improvement Grant projects in Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington. Area cities were asked to provide funding to improve program reach. An overview of the meeting will be provided.
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.
V. 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:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Grant Update – Karen Winkelman, Public Health Director.
10:30 a.m. – Request for Proposals – Wasabi and Crowdstrike – Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology Director.
10:45 a.m. – Asphalt Cold Mix Options – Barry McManaman, County Engineer, and Chris Schartz, County Works Director.
11:30 a.m. – 2026 Budget Request – Brooke Haulmark, CKCC Director.
Noon – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, County Administrator.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Wendy Prosser, County Appraiser, is scheduled for March 13, 2025.
V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
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 18, 2025.
VI. ADJOURN