In response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Barton County Commission will meet in special session at 9 a.m. Friday at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main in Great Bend. The agenda includes items relating to the county’s response to the crisis.

This meeting is in lieu of the commission’s regular agenda meeting that would have taken place Monday morning. The next regular meeting will be announced at a later date.

The matters to be discussed Friday morning are:

• On Wednesday, Chairman Kenny Schremmer signed a Declaration of a State of Local Public Health Emergency as a result of the Covid-19 event. The commission will now be asked to ratify the declaration. 

The declaration will be in place for 60 days unless terminated earlier and allows for the rendering of aid and assistance, Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller said. 

• The commission will be asked to consider the adoption of a resolution restricting access to the Barton County buildings during a public health emergency beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, until such time as a change in operations is warranted, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said. 

• On Wednesday, Schremmer signed a lease agreement between J-Kat Corp, landlord, and Barton County, tenant. Under the short-term lease, scheduled for Wednesday through Sept. 300, the county may utilize the office and three drive-through lanes at 2223 Broadway Ave.  

It is planned that county offices will offer services at this location, County Treasurer Jim Jordan said.