By DALE HOGG
Barton County Media Consultant
Marking over 40 years of public service to the county and surrounding area, the Barton County Commission on Tuesday formally honored County Engineer Barry McManaman upon his Dec. 12 retirement.
McManaman, who just celebrated his 10th anniversary leading the county’s engineering department, was praised by the commission for his invaluable experience and knowledge.
County Administrator Matt Patzner said McManaman would be "greatly missed" and was a "real asset to the county."
"Today we want to honor our County Engineer Barry McManaman," Patzner said. "He’s helped support infrastructure in Barton County and build relationships with townships and municipalities. He's going to be greatly missed, but we're very happy for you to reach this point, and hope you enjoy your retirement."
Commissioners echoed Patzner’s sentiment, thanking McManaman for his service, which included a stint as interim county administrator.
"Barry, we really appreciate that you did a fabulous job. We were blessed to have you. We appreciate you stepping up as our administrator too," Commissioner Barb Esfeld said. "And I'm glad to see you get to retire and have some fun now."
Commissioner Duane Reif, who has known McManaman for less than three years, admired "his dedication to the county" and "his ability to communicate with landowners."
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson said McManaman was "more astute” than anyone else he’d worked with during his five years as commissioner, “the consummate professional".
"I came from the Air Force before I was commissioner, and the Air Force core values remind me of Barry McManaman," Hutchinson said. "They are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. I can't think of three better descriptive terms for Barry McManaman than those."
McManaman thanked his colleagues and community partners.
"I've really valued not only the relationships with the co-workers that I've had, but as was mentioned, landowners and township officials," McManaman said. "It's been a great career. No regrets. Highly, highly appreciate my career with KDOT and with the county. I'm just looking forward to retirement. It's going to be a great time to just move into a different phase. Thank you all very much."
During his tenure with the county, McManaman was credited with securing over $3 million in grant funding, utilizing his extensive knowledge of technical applications and regulatory standards. He also provided leadership as interim county administrator for a period.
In their formal appreciation letter, the commissioners noted that his final act of public service was helping to craft the details for the expansion of U.S. 56 to a four-lane roadway from the east city limit of Great Bend to the K-156 junction.
“What an auspicious way to end your career,” the letter reads.
Chairman Tricia Schlessiger and commissioners Barb Esfeld, Shawn Hutchinson, Duane Reif, and Donna Zimmerman signed the letter, which concluded by paraphrasing James Kip Finch: “The engineer has been, and is, a maker of history. You, Sir, have proven him right.”
Finding his passion
“I didn’t really figure out what I wanted to do until I got to college,” said McManaman who grew up in Pratt. He had considered a career in wildlife management “before I realized engineering was my thing.”
After earning degrees from Pratt Community College and Kansas State University in civil engineering, McManaman began his career with the Kansas Department of Transportation in 1984, spending two years in the Winfield office before moving to Great Bend 29 years ago.
He rose to the position of area engineer, a role he held for over nearly three decades. He transitioned to county service in November 2015 when he was hired as the Barton County engineer following the retirement of Clark Rusco.
He has no real big plans now, except for doing some traveling and visiting grandkids, until his wife Cathie joins him in retirement in a couple of years.
The two have three children: Dena and her husband Matt Hiss of Great Bend who have three sons; Brett and his wife Brittany, who just had a baby boy in October, of League City, Texas; and the youngest Kelli of Kansas City who just got engaged to Dr. Jonathan Pike of Great Bend.
County’s engineering plans
The Commission last Tuesday approved contracting with the Ellsworth engineering firm Kirkham-Michael to provide engineering services to the county, filling the void created by the retirement of McManaman.
The initial one-year agreement calls for a rate of $2,800 per month, which includes at least 12 hours of service and representation at a minimum of one Commission meeting in that period. Additional hours will be billed at an hourly rate.
About Barton County
Located in Central Kansas, Barton County lives by its motto of investing in growth. Supporting a variety of initiatives, the Barton County Commission invites residents to be part of broader conversations and to work in a joint effort for a robust economy, improved quality of life and collaboration that positions Barton County for the future. Check it out at 1400 Main Street, Suite 108, Great Bend, KS 67530, 620-793-1800, www.bartoncounty.org.