In other business Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:
• Heard a report from Golden Belt Humane Society Director Heather Acheson. The society, along with the Petco Foundation, announced that the society will receive a $30,000 grant. For a video story on this, see this County Commission story online at gbtribune.com.
• Approved a renewed video service agreement with Nex-Tech. In 2007, Barton County entered into an agreement allowing Nex-Tech to provide video service in unincorporated areas. It gives the county 5 percent of gross revenues in return.
As the agreement is being automatically renewed for a five-year period, Jessica Norris of Nex-Tech provided an update. She said there are no changes.
• Approved a resolution authorizing special liquor single-event permits. Under the resolution, the commission created a special permit and fee system. Regulations include the requirement for a permit, a $25-per-day fee, and proof the applicant has a Kansas liquor license, County Clerk Donna Zimmerman said.
The annual county liquor license costs $150.
• Approved the Kansas Department of Transportation Federal Aid Fund Exchange Master Agreement to allow the county to receive $264,254.07 in KDOT funds.
The money to be exchanged this year is $293,615.63 in federal funds, said County Engineer Barry McManaman. The agreement allows federal money to flow through the state which keeps 10 percent of it.
The advantage being that there are fewer strings attached to how it is spent.
• Approved the replacement of carpet in the back of the 911 Office for $2,681 from Abby Carpet of Great Bend. Deputy 911 Director Dena Popp said 911 moved into the building at Lakin and Stone in 1989 and the carpet in that area has not been changed.
There was a question about moisture seeping up through the concrete floor. If a problem, Abby Carpet will also apply an epoxy coat for an additional cost of 25 cents per square foot.
It was announced last Monday at the Barton County Commission meeting that the county had 77 lines for the names of veterans remaining before the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial’s second stone could be ordered.
However, by the end of last week, all those spots and then some were filled, thanks to coverage for the monument project in the Great Bend Tribune and other media. “The publicity resulted in dynamic results,” County Administrator Richard Boeckman said.
Four people came into the County Administrator’s Office Monday, 15 on Tuesday, 23 on Wednesday, 20 on Thursday and 14 on Friday. “We already have five names for the third stone,” Boeckman said.
In addition, there was several hundreds of dollars in donations.
At $45 per line, 540 had to be sold before each of the stones could be ordered. The first was dedicated on Veterans Day last November and officials hope for a second dedication on Veterans Day this year.
Commission Chairman Don Davis thanked the local media, the Barton County Road and Bridge Department, the Memorial Parks Committee and the citizens who contributed. “It’s an endless list of people involved in this.”
The Golden Belt Veterans’ Memorial located in Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend. It honors veterans with Barton County ties who have served in all conflicts and in all branches of the military.
Those wanting to purchase a spot on the memorial can bring their payments to the Barton County Administrator’s Office in room 107 of the courthouse at 1400 Main in Great Bend. For more information, call 620-793-1800.
Checks must be made payable to Barton County.
