Following a budget amendment hearing for the 2018 operating budget Monday morning, the Barton County Commission approved a amendments that will allow for the current budget to cover the operating expenses for the Road and Bridge, the 911 Emergency Telephone Tax, Solid Waste and the The Criminal Justice Information System funds.
“This is pretty much normal,” Finance Officer Matt Patzner said in presenting the proposed budget amendments during the hearing.
“You do the best you can to plan,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said. “But, sometimes things happen.”
“Despite the efforts of elected officials and department heads, budget estimates must be adjusted so that funds fall within budgetary laws,” Patzner said. The changes include:
• Road and Bridge – The Road and Bridge budget amendment allows for unanticipated revenue from state, federal and other sources to be used for aggregates and other consumable goods that are necessary for operations, as well as future road overlay projects that will be funded by Federal Funds Exchange money.
The total is $383,000.
• 911 Emergency Telephone Tax – The 911 Emergency Telephone Tax budget amendment allows cash carryforward from previous years to be used for 2018 equipment and professional service fee expenses for such projects as the conversion to the 800 megahertz radio system.
The total is $102,000. This is a non-tax levy supported fund.
• Solid Waste – The Solid Waste budget amendment allows unanticipated revenue and cash carryforward to be used for 2018 equipment and building improvement expenses.
The total is $150,000. This is a non-tax levy supported fund.
• CJIS/CAD - The Criminal Justice Information System budget amendment, allows unanticipated revenue and cash carryforward to be used for contractual service and server maintenance expenses, as well as a transfer of initial Global System set up costs into reserve funds.
The total was $$86,500. This is a non-tax levy supported fund.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
County counselor named; Joint project with Pawnee County approved
BY DALE HOGG
dhogg@gbtribune.com
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Awarded a contract to be the new Barton County Counselor to Pat Hoffman at a cost of $4,000 per month for a one-year contract. Under the proposal, Hoffman will provide legal services as required by state law. Specifically excluded are the duties of the county attorney, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
Hoffman replaces Carey Hipp who was elected as a judge for the 20th Judicial District in November. He is with the law firm Sherman, Hoffman and Hoffman of Ellsworth, the same firm Hipp worked for.
Hoffman’s was one of three proposals the county received.
Hoffman also presented the option of working on an hourly basis at $200 per hour. This was supported by commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz, but in the end it was decided to go with the flat rate.
• Approved an agreement for Engineering Services with Kirkham Michael and Associates of Ellsworth. There are two low water crossings on the blacktop road west of Pawnee Rock that frequently have water over them, causing the road to be closed.
Since the road lies on the Barton/Pawnee County line, County Engineer Barry McManaman approached Pawnee County to cost share on the construction of concrete drainage boxes and elevating the roadway. Kirkham Michael will provide design services, prepare plans and facilitate a bid letting in order to hire a contractor to build the structures.
The counties will share in the excavation, site preparation, backfill and finish roadway construction by using county crews for that work.
The Barton County share of the design fee is $12,500.
• Approved establishing weight limits for certain bridges maintained by Barton County and rescinded a similar, previous resolution adopted July 8, 1980.
• Met County Attorney appointee Levi Morris. Morris was selected by the Barton County Republican Committee a week ago Monday night. The Lyons attorney was the only applicant for the job.
• Held a budget amendment hearing and approved amendments to the county’s 2018 operating budget.
• Approved cereal malt beverage licences for 2019. According to state law, no retailer can sell any cereal malt beverage without having secured a license for that business. When a business is located in the unincorporated portion of the county, that application shall be made to the County Commission, County Clerk Donna.
• Recognized the Central Plains High School football team for winning the Kansas Class Eight Man I championship.
• Approved encumbering $21,583.00 to purchase a patrol car for the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brian Bellendir purchased the vehicle from Marmie Motors. Bellendir said he has the money in his budget, but does not anticipate delivery of the vehicle before year’s end. So he requested the purchase price be encumbered.
• Was introduced to Sara Martinz, the new Natural Resources Conservation Service district manager for Barton County. She replaces Pam Tucker who retires this month.
• Approved replacing a pickup at the Barton County Landfill. A vehicle currently used by the Landfill is showing signs of wear. In order to avoid costly repairs and to capitalize on its current value, Hathcock researched replacements.
Purchased was a 2019 Dodge Ram quad-cab 4x4 pickup from Marmie’s at cost of $21,715, including trade. The truck is used by Hathcock in his duties as solid waste director.
• Approved the purchase of a vacuum excavator for the Road and Bridge Department. The new $43,280 unit comes from Premier Corporation in Goddard.
The department typically receives 800 to 1,000 One Call locates per year for utilities buried in the public right of ways. In order to improve efficiencies, the department suggested the purchase of an excavator, Public Works Director Darren Williams said.
It uses high pressure water jets to remove soil and rocks while vacuuming up the debris reducing labor costs and allowing for more pointed mechanical equipment work.
The recommended unit includes warranties and can be pulled by most of the pickups operated at Road and Bridge.
