Barb Esfeld didn’t have a gavel to bang Tuesday as she called the Barton County Commission meeting to order. If the chairwoman has a gavel, it was likely in a box headed for the courthouse as county offices move back in this week. The commissioners met for the last time in their temporary chambers in the former JC Penney Building at 1500 Kansas Ave.

“We’d like to welcome you all to our last meeting in the shoe department,” Esfeld said.

After two brief items of business Tuesday, the commissioners put a photo of the courthouse on the large screen behind them. The photo caption read, “We did it.”

Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson talked about the learning curve for this undertaking.

“The next 100-year renovation will go much more smoothly,” he said.

The Treasurer’s Office was already moved and open for business on the first floor of the courthouse at 1400 Main.

A ribbon cutting is set for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, and then tours of the courthouse will continue until 6 p.m.

“Everyone is invited,” Esfeld said. “The courthouse belongs to the people of Barton County.”

Hutchinson said the new HVAC system, which prompted the project, introduces fresh air from outside back into the courthouse. The biggest changes the general public will notice are improved lighting and the relocation of the Treasure’s Office; people will no longer have to go to the second floor to pay their taxes.

Background

In December of 2021, the commissioners approved a contract for Orazem & Scalora Engineering of Wichita to perform a feasibility study to replace the existing HVAC and improve building ventilation. A $4.2 million courthouse renovation was later undertaken using various funding sources, including tax credits. During the renovation, most county offices moved to 1500 Kansas Ave., the County Attorney’s Office moved to 1520 Main and District Court was moved to 1709 Main.