Since no action had been taken on the proposed joint project, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved rescinding the cooperative effort to repair drainage issues at Bissell’s Point in Great Bend Township.
On Sept. 10, County Works Director Darren Williams received authorization from the commission to assist the township in the Bissell’s Point Subdivision. But, the township has not started work, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
“Given that it is unclear if the project will go forward in the future, it seems prudent to rescind the motion in its entirety,” he said. This was done to clean up the county’s books for year’s end.
Township officials requested assistance with drainage problems. Estimates of the cost for equipment, labor and material is $30,263 with the township reimbursing the county.
The problem is rainwater that floods in the area of Summit Road and Point Drive. The project involves cleaning ditches and other improvements to allow that water to drain better.
However, “there were some concerns from some citizens in Bissell’s Point,” Hathcock said. Among these was the cost of the repairs and its impact on the township’s budget.
In addition, there has been a lack of communication between the township board and the Bissell’s Point Homeowners Association, said the association’s Robert Engle. Engle also ran successfully to become the township clerk in the November general election.
“We don’t always hear from the township,” Engle said. Sometimes, “the homeowners association has been excluded.”
There are some issues that need to be addressed, Engle said. Hopefully, there can be better cooperation in the future.
Commissioner Alicia Straub said they heard no opposition during the study session when the matter was presented, and didn’t hear about any problems until after it passed. She suggested the township and the association coordinate what they want and come back before the commission.
Hathcock said the rescinding of the motion Monday does not preclude the commission revisiting the matter in the future if asked.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission meeting did Monday morning:
• Approved rescinding the cooperative effort to repair drainage issues in Bissell’s Point in Great Bend Township.
• Approved granting Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, as an employee holiday and removing Martin Luther King Day from the holiday listing in 2019.
Under the county’s Employee Handbook, the commission does have the discretion to revise the holiday listing, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
• Approved contracting with Estes Trash LLC for county trash hauling services. Its bid remains unchanged from last year at $425 per month.
This includes the courthouse, Sheriff’s Office and Detention Facility, Health Department, Barton County Office Building, Road and Bridge and Noxious Weed. There are generally three pick-up dates per week for service year 2019. It is noted that the Sheriff’s Office has service Monday through Saturday.
• Approved contracting with Starbrite Window Cleaning, Great Bend, for cleaning at the Barton County Office Building, 1806 12th, Great Bend, until Nov. 21, 2019. Under the proposal, Starbrite will clean the building after 5 p.m. each work day at a cost of $1,000 per month. The cost is unchanged from this year.
• Approved contracting with B.A.T.S. Inc., doing business as World Pest Control, for providing monthly pest control and extermination services for seven Barton County owned buildings, excluding the Barton County Landfill, at a cost of $420 per month. This cost also remained the same as this year.
