Noting the importance of interactions with county commissioners from across the state, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved renewing the county’s membership in the Kansas County Commissioners Association at a cost of $700.

“This is the first year working without a net,” commission Chairman Jennifer Schartz said of the county’s decision to not hire a replacement administrator after Richard Boeckman resigned last October. “We can use all the support we can get.”

From networking to sharing ideas, “when we’re going without an administrator I think its vitally important,” she said.

“Being a commissioner is more than attending Monday morning meetings,” said Commissioner Alicia Straub who has attended many KCCA meetings. “I think we can learn a lot from other counties.”

When factoring in what it would have cost to hire an administrator, Straub said the cost to join is actually a savings. 

It was Commissioner Homer Kruckenberg who offer the sole objection, citing the cost. “I don’t really go for all those associations and memberships.”

But, in the end, he voted along with the others commissioners to approve paying the dues.

Tied closely to the Kansas Association of Counties, this organization is comprised of the commissioners serving the 105 counties in Kansas.  

In other business Tuesday morning, the Barton County Commission: 

• Approved an updated contract between the Kansas Department of Revenue and Barton County for use of the courthouse second floor office as the drivers license office. In 2004, the county entered into an agreement with KDOR to provide the space. County Counselor Carey Hipp said there very little changed and there were just a few minor updates to the agreement.