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/487FmoK. 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
Feb. 6
9:00 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 January 30, 2024, 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. JOINT COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – Quivira Water Rights Impairment Issue:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will provide details. County officials attended a Joint County Commission Meeting reference the potential Quivia Water Rights Impairment issue in Stafford County on January 29, 2024. Stafford County has since submitted minutes from that meeting.
B. 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.
C. RESOLUTION 2024-06: A Resolution Supporting House Bill 2508, Authorizing a Transfer of State General Fund Moneys to the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund in Fiscal Year 2025 and all Fiscal Years Thereafter, Requiring Political Subdivisions to Credit all such Moneys to Residential Property Taxpayers in the Form of a Rebate and Providing a Formula for such Rebate Amount:
-Chairman Barb Esfeld will provide details. The Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR) is one way for the State of Kansas to provide property tax relief to citizens. Monies from that fund were last distributed in 2003. House Bill 2508 (HB 2508) provides for the allocation of $130,000,000 of State revenues directly to local units of government to be given to residential property owners as a property tax rebate. The proposed Resolution urges the Kansas Legislature to adopt HB 2508 replenishing the LAVTR and directing the $130,000,000 of revenue raised in that bill to be used toward providing property tax relief to owners of residential property.
D. SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Mobile Video Systems:
-Sheriff Brian Bellendir will present details. The Mobile Video System Administrator service provides a technical operations resource to assist with the management of mobile videos. The system extends to both body-worn cameras and in-car video systems, enabling the upload of video evidence quickly and securely. The 13-unit system includes equipment, software and service for a five-year period. It is suggested that the Commission provide for the initial cost, with the Sheriff paying for auxiliary needs, such as a server, through other funds.
E. COUNTY ENGINEER: NE 30 Road Resurfacing Project Bids:
-Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details. The County accepted bids until January 25, 2024, for the NE 30 Road Resurfacing Project. The project includes a 1.5-inch hot mix asphalt overlay, estimated in the amount of 5,266 tons of hot mix, to be placed on NE 30 Road between US-281 highway and NE 30 Avenue. Venture Corporation submitted the only bid for $795,004.70. If awarded, Venture anticipates doing the work sometime in July of this year.
F. KANSAS LEGISLATIVE POLICY GROUP: 2024 Membership:
-Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will provide details. The Kansas Legislative Policy Group (KLPG) is a bi-partisan coalition of western Kansas counties with a common interest in the preservation of the counties tax base and retention of local control. The KLPG serves as a policy and decision-making body establishing legislative priorities at its annual meeting and providing speakers to address KLPG members about the important topics of the day. After denying membership earlier this year, the Commission will reconsider that action. Membership is priced at $5,471.34.
G. COURTHOUSE HVAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Other Change Orders – Under Resolution 2023-19 Threshold:
-Mr. Patzner will present details. Barton County has received notice of certain needed updates to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning improvement project. These changes, individually, are under the threshold established with the adoption of Resolution 2023-19.
H. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-Chairman 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.
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.
-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.
-County officials may attend the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2024. The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 114 N Main, Hoisington, Kansas.
-The Commission will hold a joint meeting with the City of Claflin City Council at 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 12, 2024, at the Claflin City Building, 111 East Hamilton, Claflin, Kansas.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-The following appointments have been scheduled:
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Brenda Kaiser, Human Resource Director.
10:00 a.m. – Medicaid Expansion Discussion – Pam Martin.
10:15 a.m. – Program Update – Brooke Haulmark, CKCC Director.
10:45 a.m. – Bid Review – South Shed Project – Darren Williams, County Works Director.
11:00 a.m. – Continued discussion of Landfill Operations – Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste Director.
11:15 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, County Administrator.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, is scheduled for February 8, 2024.
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, February 13, 2024.
VI. ADJOURN