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/3EAPwAJ. 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
February 27
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 February 20, 2024, 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. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: Fourth 13th Month:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period ending December 31, 2023. This is considered the fourth “13th Month” for 2023 expenditures.
III. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-Ms. Schmeidler will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of February 13, 2024, and ending February 27, 2024.
IV. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
V. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Ms. Schmeidler 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.
B. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Quivira Water Rights Impairment Issue:
-Commission Tricia Schlessiger will provide details on the Ground Water Management District 5 meeting held on February 15, 2024. The District has been working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its consultant, Olsson, to complete a Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Plan Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-EIS). The Plan-EIS should provide longterm agricultural water management and address the impairment of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) senior water rights for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The draft Plan-EIS document has been submitted to NRCS for technical and administrative review. This is the final step before being presented to the public for review and comment.
C. COMPUTER INFORMATION CONCEPTS: Annual Peopleware Agreement:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will present details. In 2013, the County purchased a commercial software package from Computer Information Concepts, Inc. (CIC). The software includes tax administration, budgetary / fund accounting, indexing / imaging, payroll / personnel and time / attendance. Added since that time are portals for the Treasurer and the Appraiser.
D. NOXIOUS WEED: Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report and Management Plan:
-Darren Williams, County Works Director, will provide details. The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is responsible for laws aiding in the control and management of noxious and invasive weeds in Kansas. The KDA requires Kansas counties to submit an annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report as well as a Management Plan.
E. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-Chairman Barb Esfeld 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.
VI. 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.
-County officials, individually or in groups, may visit the Courthouse or those buildings being used for displaced Courthouse offices during the HVAC improvement project. With the Courthouse located at 1400 Main, other buildings being used for housing are 1520 Main and 1709 Main, Great Bend, Kansas.
-The Commission will host a Great Bend Chamber Coffee on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The doors open at 9:00 a.m., with a program beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Coffee will be held at 1500 Kansas, Great Bend, Kansas.
-The Barton County Planning Commission will be holding a Public Meeting at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 29, 2024, to receive comments and consider the DRAFT changes to the “Current” Barton County Zoning Regulations – Version II as they pertain to Solar Energy Conversion Systems (SECS) and the future development of Large Scale Non-Commercial SECS or Commercial Scale SECS in Barton County. This meeting is open to the public. The meeting will be held at the Barton Community College, Fine Arts Building, 245 NE 30 Road, Room F-30, Great Bend, Kansas. County officials may attend.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Financial Update – Matt Patzner, County Administrator.
10:00 a.m. – IRB / Economic Development annual review – KanCan (Red Barn) – Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk; Jim Jordan, County Treasurer; Wendy Prosser, County Appraiser; and Mr. Patzner.
10:15 a.m. – Bid Review – 2024 Highway Striping Project, Cold Mix and Mowing Bids – Barry McManaman, County Engineer, and Darren Williams, County Works Director.
10:45 a.m. – Program Update – Mr. McManaman.
11:00 a.m. – Nursing Area Remodel – Karen Winkelman, Health Director.
11:15 a.m. – Zoning Regulation Update – Judy Goreham, Environmental Manager.
11:45 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Mr. Patzner.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Glennda French, Register of Deeds, is scheduled for February 29, 2024.
VII. 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 5, 2024.
VIII. ADJOURN