Great Bend Post
Jun 04, 2024

Barton Commission congratulates staff for successful ribbon cutting

Posted Jun 04, 2024 3:42 PM

By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post

Action was light at Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting. That gave the board time to reflect on Friday's ribbon cutting of the renovated courthouse.

"You know certain things are just not going to go the way they're planned but I was so happy with the day," said Commission Chair Barb Esfeld. "I thought, overall, it was excellent. I appreciate everyone who came out. The fact that so many people supported this event, this courthouse, was very moving. I don't think we could have asked for a better day."

County staff was moved out of the building last July and returned to the courthouse beginning May 13. Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson and County Administrator Matt Patzner reiterated that, despite the big move, not a day of county operations was lost.

"Through this whole HVAC renovation process and being moved out for 11 months, three different properties we had to move to, how many days were county operations down due to this? Pat yourself on the back, Mr. Patzner. In my opinion, that's a huge accomplishment that we were not down for one day even though it was very challenging."

The courthouse is again fully operational, including the treasurer's office now on the first floor for easier access, but the project is not quite done yet.

"I hope the employees of the courthouse and public can understand that we did everything within our power to get everything done," Hutchinson said. "Our choices were to stay and continue to pay rent at those other locations, or get back here, stop paying rent, and deal with a few little tweaks that we have to make as we go. I think we made the right decision."

Throughout the process, current commissioners thanked previous commissions for their work ahead of the decision to complete the renovations. Former commissioner Jim Daily also spoke at Tuesday's meeting.

"You were out of this facility for 11 months," he said. "We talked about all these changes when I was still on the commission so it's been a process that has taken a long time to come to fruition. What I can see of it so far looks pretty nice. Well worth the wait."

Dr. Sherri Brantley, a Republican candidate for the 112th District of the Kansas House of Representatives, also spoke Tuesday morning.

"This is a preserved landmark for future generations," she told the commission. "The fact that you had the kids cut the ribbon, I have goosebumps talking about it again. I thought that was just icing on the cake. That was fabulous."

The commission again thanked county staff for their work and patience during the project. Special notice was given to county employees who gave tours after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Brooke Haulmark, Health Department Director Karen Winkelman, and Misty Trudeau, financial officer for the health department. The commission also thanked Administrative Assistant Diana Watson for organizing Friday's celebration.