The Barton County Commission will meet at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at the Barton County Road and Bridge Department, 2401 Seventh St. in Great Bend, for general discussion with departmental employees. Chairman Barb Esfeld said the commissioners will talk to the staffing issues as that department has had several employees retire.

The agenda meeting will start at 9 at the courthouse and can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/3TMT2Rn.

Agenda items include:

• Approval of appropriations: County Clerk Bev Schmeidler will present details. An Accounts Payable register will be submitted for the period of June 4-18.

• Barton County Fair update: Michelle Beran, 4-H Youth Development, K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District will provide details. The Barton County Fair is scheduled for June 26-30. In addition to the 4-H events, the fair will include concerts and an entertainment carnival.

• Memorandum of Understanding, Barton County and Great Bend Economic Development: Chris Komarek, Ellinwood City Administrator, will present details. In August 2022, Komarek detailed that the City of Ellinwood is developing a water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer project. Included in the project are both the new Ellinwood District Hospital and a new housing area. The Commission approved $300,000 in financial support and directed the county counselor to develop a Memorandum of Understanding referencing the administration of the funding. The MOU was adopted Oct. 26, 2022. As the project will not be finished by the original end date, it is suggested that the completion date be extended to Dec. 31, 2024.

• 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services, vehicle replacement: Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director, will provide details. On May 21, the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services initiated a process of purchasing a new, used or program minivan or SUV, with trade of a 2014. Nissan Maxima.

• Memorial Parks, Board appointments: Darren Williams, County Works Director, will present details. Persons on the Memorial Parks Advisory Committee advise and assist the Commission with the care and management of the Golden Belt and Hillcrest Memorial Parks. Public announcements were made through the newspaper and social media of open positions on the Committee. There are two unexpired positions coming to term in 2027 and three full positions coming to term in 2028.

At the close of the agenda meeting, the following appointments have been scheduled:

9:45 a.m. – Financial update, Matt Patzner, county administrator.

10 a.m. – Program update, Bob Wetmore, Great Plains Development.

10:15 a.m. — Tax exemptions, Wendy Prosser, county appraiser. 

10:30 a.m. – Program update, Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services director.

10:45 a.m. – Fuel bid review, Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste director.

11 a.m. – Design agreement for the replacement of Off-System Bridge No. 189, Barry McManaman, county wngineer.

11:15 a.m. — Regular business discussion, Matt Patzner.