The Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Heard an update on the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial. In addition, the commission received a donations from Hoisington Girl Scouts Troop 11126 to benefit the memorial.
• Heard a report from Greg Alexander of Northern Natural Gas as an update on the natural gas pipelines in Barton County.
• Approved a contract with J&J Construction for $10,570 to mow the county-owned Golden Belt and Hillcrest memorial parks. The county accepted proposals for mowing at the two parks and the contract requires they be mowed and kept trimmed to maintain a grass height no higher than three inches, with special consideration for holidays.
It is anticipated the mowing will be required from April to October. There is also an option for renewal after the first year. Money for the work is included in the cemetery budget for this anticipated expense, County Works Director Darren Williams said.
Williams said the county received two bids, the other was from RJ Mowing of Great Bend for $9,425.
Commissioners noted that J&J had handled the work for the past couple of years and has done a good. This is why the company was awarding the bid this year.
“We are always mindful of county dollars, but that’s a big job out there and we need to make sure it is done well,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said.
• Appointed Scott Fleming, Hoisington Emergency Medical Services director, as a special district coroner for Barton County at the request of Count Coroner Dr. Edward Jones. Under the procedures outlined by Kansas statutes and by a county resolution establishing district coroner procedures, Jones requested the appointment of special deputy coroners. Special deputies, appointed for one-year calendar terms, do not have the necessary credentials to be a deputy coroner, but generally have a medical background, Operations Director Phil Hathcock said.
The Hoisington Girl Scouts Troop 11126 parlayed their Girl Scout Cookie profits into a lasting tribute for Barton County veterans.
Group leaders Heather Depperschmidt and Ginny Axman, along with troop members Brooklyn, Olivia, Jillian, Tori and Kaelynn, attended the County Commission meeting Monday morning and presented a $270 check. The funds will help pay for names to be engraved on Golden Belt Veterans Memorial third stone.
“That’s a lot of cookies,” commission Jennifer Schartz said. The girls could have taken the money and spent it on something fleeting, but instead chose to make a lasting contribution, something Schartz said was very commendable.
The commission then passed a resolution thanking the scouts for their efforts.
An on-going project
The Girl Scouts’ donation comes at a good time, Memorial Parks Advisory Committee Chairman Mick Lang told commissioners Monday. With 438 lines purchased on stone three, there are 82 remaining to be sold.
With each line costing $45, the contribution will help pay for veterans or families of veterans who can’t afford the price. There had been a pool of funds to cover these costs, but that has been depleted, and perhaps this will spark others to contribute to the effort, Lang said.
But, Lang said things are looking good for stone three. “I am positive we will have another stone dedication this year.”
In addition, the Hoisington Veterans of Foreign Wars post purchased one side of a planned fourth stone. That leaves 260 lines available on the other side so that marker can be completed.
At $45 per line, 540 (about 370 veterans) have to be sold before each of the stones can be ordered.
The Golden Belt Veterans’ Memorial honors veterans with Barton County ties who have served in all conflicts and in all branches of the military who have a connection with Barton County. Qualifications to be included are proof that the veteran was at least at one time a Barton County residency and an honorable discharge from the military. The veteran can be living or deceased, and active-duty service members are also eligible.
Those wanting to purchase a spot on the memorial or make a donation can bring their payments to the Barton County Administrator’s Office in room 107 of the courthouse at 1400 Main in Great Bend. For more information call 620-793-1800.
Checks must be made payable to Barton County.
The monument is located at the Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Road north of Great Bend.
