New ATV coming to Noxious Weed

The Barton County Commission Wednesday morning approved the purchase of a Polaris Sportsman 850 Premium or equivalent all-terrain vehicle at a cost of $10,490 from Straub Power Sports of Great Bend for the Noxious Weed Department. It will be used to spray weeds in the summer and plow snow on sidewalks in the winter, said County Works Director Darren Williams.

The new ATV replaces a 2006 Yamaha that was having costly mechanical problems. The repairs could cost as much as $3,000.

Williams said they sought bids and two were received.

They will sell the current ATV at the next county sheriff’s sale.

Health Department sign an important messaging tool

Noting the digital sign that stands outside the Barton County Health Department is important in keeping the public informed, the Barton County Commission Wednesday morning OKed a bid of $7,000 from P&S Electric of Great Bend to handle the electrical work for the department’s new billboard.

In June, the commission awarded a $51,096 bid to Mark’s Custom Signs for new LED digital signage at the Health Department, 1300 Kansas Ave. But, that bid didn’t include electrical work and other bids had to be sought, Health Director Karen Winkelman said.

“Some of our grants require we do messaging to the public,” Winkelman said, adding this is available for that 24-7. “We want to keep our public better informed.”

“People do read that,” said District 4 Commissioner Jon Prescott. “It does work.”

Winkelman said the breaker box on the outside of the Health Department building needed to be replaced anyway, so half of the cost for the work will come from her building maintenance budget. Grant funds will cover the other half.

She doesn’t have a time line for the new sign’s installation. The current will remain in use until then.