Tuesday’s Barton County Commission meeting started with a budget hearing, followed by approval of that budget. County Administrator Matt Patzner told the commission, “This budget is the organizational blueprint for the county.”
It calls for an estimated tax rate of 35.767 mills, which is a 1.379 mill reduction that is expected to bring in $39,000 less than last year, Patzner said.
“In the last four years, we’ve dropped the mill levy by 10.551,” Patzner said, based on the latest estimates.
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson said this is the fourth straight year for Barton County to remain “revenue neutral,” asking taxpayers for the same or fewer tax dollars than the previous years.
“Our policies are starting to show up in the numbers,” Hutchinson said.
Patzner had credited the commission and top quality staff at the county with holding the line on expenses. Commissioner Barb Esfeld said he also deserves some of the credit.
“Matt is also our finance director,” Esfeld said. “For me, it’s an honor to be sitting here in this seat.”
Commissioners Donna Zimmerman, Duane Reif and Tricia Schlessiger also had comments.
“It takes all of us together to get this accomplished,” Reif said.
Schlessiger said people should stay involved and learn what other taxing entities in the county are doing. Barton County receives 18% of the tax dollars collected.
Hutchinson again said county policies adopted in recent years have paid off. He cited the facade improvement grants that helped Barton County businesses as an example.
“I think our taxpayers are getting tired of increased property taxes every year. When we grow, everyone pays a smaller piece of the pie,” he said. “Other taxing entities should pay attention. We don’t need more tax dollars, we need more taxpayers.”
Other business
The commission also approved a five-year plan for capital improvement and equipment replacement, and renewed the service agreement with Southwest Developmental Services Inc., which will continue to act as the Community Developmental Disability Organization for the county, for $70,000.
Jami Benyshek, senior audit manager with AdamsBrown, presented the 2023 audit report.
“Your financial statements are materially correct,” Benyshek said. “There were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies.” Overall, she concluded, it was “a super clean audit.”
The commission approved a local bid of $119,944 to widen an existing reinforced concrete box bridge located on NE 190 Road, 1.15 miles east of Beaver. L&M Contractors Inc.’s bid was lower than the $274,186 bid from a Wichita company, said County Engineer Barry McManaman.
Also approved was the purchase of a 2024 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab 4 X 4 truck from Marmie Motors for $46,784 for the Noxious Weed Department. It replaces a 1995 Ford F250 XL that will be sold at the county auction to be held later this year.
There was also a 15-minute executive session as the commissioners discussed a matter protected by attorney-client privilege. The director of the Solid Waste Department was included in that discussion with no action taken.
