Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Approved the Local Workforce Development Area I chief elected official board agreement.
The federal government provides funding for training of workers to compete for employment as well as to support employment centers throughout the country, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said. Funding has transitioned from the Workforce Investment Act to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
With the transition to WIOA, the Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has again designated the 62 central and western counties as Local Workforce Development Area 1, Hathcock said. The commissions in each of the 62 counties must enter into a new agreement (known as the chief elected official agreement) in order for the local area to be certified.
• After approving the Local Workforce Development Area I chief elected official board agreement, the commission named Don Davis as the Barton County board member.
Since the commission opted to approve the agreement, one of its members may be appointed to serve on the Chief Elected Officials Board. Board members identify workforce issues and concerns and bring together necessary assets to facilitate solutions that foster prosperity.
• Approved a resolution transferring and carrying over 2019 unexpended funds to the capital improvement and equipment replacement funds.
After accounting of all 2019 transactions, funds were suggested for transfer, said Finance Officer Matt Patzner, Finance Officer. This done annually.
• Heard a COVID-19 update from Interim County Health Director Karen Winkelman.
With an eye on the uncertain impacts of the COVID-19 on Barton County’s budget planning this year, and for years to come, the County Commission approved transferring unspent 2019 money forward to shore up
funds for 2020 and beyond.
“It is the county’s practice to transfer unexpended funds from one year to the next,” county Finance Officer Matt Patzner said. “In light of unanticipated revenue, unexpended budget authority and uncertainty with the economy, not only for this year but for several years to come, the proposed transfers will better position the county for the future.”
After accounting of all 2019 transactions, a total of $453,274.46 from the general fund was available for transfer, he said. In addition, there was $139,725.36 from equipment replacement,
“This is actually considerably less than we’ve transferred in the past,” he said. The total of $593,000 is down about $740,000 from the $1.3 million last year.
“Mostly (the change) is from balancing what we have coming forward,” he said. “The economic uncertainty that’s facing us, not only in 2021 as we’re budgeting for that, but also 2022, and we just want to have the appropriate amount of cash carry forward to address that.”
“These numbers don’t just jump out,” Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said. “I know that there’s been a lot of work put into figuring out how to best position the county for the upcoming year and the years following so I appreciate all the effort that you put into making this possible.”
According to Patzner, the funds broke down as follows (from and to):
Capital improvement
• General, $229,950 — general building and fixed equipment
• General, $223,324.64 — general, federal funds exchange
Equipment replacement
• Equipment replacement, $126,675.36 — Road and Bridge equipment replacement
• Equipment replacement, $13,050 — Noxious Weed equipment replacement.
