It was a first for Barton County recycling efforts. Both long-time county recycling grant recipient Sunflower Diversified Services and recycling newcomer Rosewood Services applied for the $15,000 allocation.
Although the County Commission Monday morning awarded the money to Sunflower for 2019, commissioners promised an in-kind partnership with Rosewood this year. And, perhaps, more funding could be found next year to offer both entities monetary contributions.
“You kind of threw us for us loop,” Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz told Howard Partington, the consultant for Rosewood Services and its Roots and Wings Foundation who was present Monday. “For years, we’ve only had one application. We weren’t expecting this.”
“We understand the long-time relationship with Sunflower,” Partington said. He noted Rosewood is happy to work with the county in any capacity.
In the 2019 Operating Budget, the commission set aside the money under Solid Waste for recycling with an understanding that applications would be accepted locally. Eligible are any county department, agency, organization, recycling center, city, school district or community college located in Barton County.
The application would need to demonstrate a positive economic and environmental impact in the county, be consistent with the Barton County Solid Waste Management Plan, benefit the county and its residents and increase recycling.
“Both met the requirements of the grant this year,” County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
For years, Sunflower has offered recycling services for household items – paper, plastic, cardboard, etc. Rosewood is focusing on e-waste – electronic waste, such as old computers, monitors (except old-style cathode-ray tubes), televisions, cell phones, etc.
“I like how Rosewood and Sunflower are working together,” Schartz said. “You are not in competition.”
“I think what we have is a real opportunity,” Partington said. The Barton County Landfill already accepts e-waste, so a partnership would benefit the landfill, Rosewood and the county as a whole by bolstering this type of recycling.
“This is a positive for all of us,” he said.
There is also a chance to improve public education efforts. A lot of people don’t understand what to do with old electronic equipment.
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Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Awarded the county’s $15,000 recycling grant to Sunflower Diversified Services.
• Reappointed Linn Hogg to the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging Board. The county recently sought applicants for one position on the SWKAAA Sub-Regional Council. SWKAAA helps determine long-term needs and adequate programs for all senior citizens in Southwest Kansas. Appointees are required to attend four quarterly meetings per year, with mileage reimbursed. The uncompensated position ends in September 2022.
• Approved vacating a portion of NE 210 Road east of NE 140 Avenue in Cleveland Township. Cleveland Township officials requested the vacation of NE 210 Road from the intersection with NE 140 Avenue then east for one-half mile.
• Approved participation in the next round of the High-risk Rural Road Program.
Barton County was awarded the Kansas Department of Transportation High Risk Rural Roads project involving signing improvements at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and North 30 Road, as well as the widening of a concrete drainage structure on NW 50 Road east of NW 10 Avenue.
KDOT will pay for 90% of the design, construction, and inspection costs. Barton County will pay for 10% of the design, construction and inspection costs and 100% of the costs for right of way and utility adjustments. The KDOT estimate for design, construction, and inspection is $354,691.
• Approved the placement of a stop sign at the intersection of Comanche Road and SE 40 Road in Comanche Township. County Engineer Barry McManaman made the placement determination as sight distance is limited by trees.
