It was a morning of reorganization for the Barton County Commission Monday as three commissioners were sworn in to retake their seats and a number annual housekeeping matters were handled.

After the meeting started, a recess was taken and the commission adjourned to the 20th Judicial District main courtroom where District Judge Steve Johnson administered the oath of office individually to Jennifer Schartz, Kenny Schremmer and Alicia Straub.

“Good luck in performing your duties,” Johnson said. This marked the fifth swearing in for Schremmer and Schartz, and the second for Straub.

After returning to the meeting, nominations were taken for the 2019 commission leadership roles. Elected were Alicia Straub as the 2019 commission chairman and Jennifer Schartz as the chairman pro tem. 

“I though long and hard about this,” said Straub, who felt like she had been based over for the post in the past. But, “I move to nominate myself as chairman and Jennifer as chairman pro tem.”

There was no opposition and both were approved unanimously.

Following that, the commission approved the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) waiver. In short, GAAP requires reporting cash and non-cash assets, and liabilities.

However, when it comes to what the state wants in its budget documents, this won’t work. So, many municipalities waive GAAP annually and operate on a regulatory basis (modified cash basis), tracking cash, certain accounts payable and encumbrances only, to make reporting easier.

Auditors must note this in their reports, but there is no averse impact for it.

This is a standard procedure for the county, Finance Officer Matt Patzner said.

Then, a resolution designating the Great Bend Tribune as the official county newspaper was approved. The newspaper selected must meet the qualifications as prescribed by K.S.A. 64-101 as the publication that best reaches the citizens of Barton County, County Administrator Phil Hathcock, County Administrator said.

Next, commissioners designated all qualified Barton County financial institutions as official depositories for county funds. Such institutions must meet the 100 percent pledged securities requirement, said County Treasurer Jim Jordan. According to the resolution, all depositories must provide to the County Treasurer’s Office and the financial officer proof of security for these funds whenever such information is requested. 

Each institution will be notified by certified letter that they are required to meet the requirements, Jordan said.