The start of the 2016-17 school year is fast approaching and Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider said the Health Department is gearing up for the occasion.

“The Health Department wants to remind everyone that school is around the corner and that it is time to make sure that children are up to date on their immunizations,” Schneider said. So, the department will be extending the hours as following:

• Monday 9 am to 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday 7:30 am to 5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday 7:30 am to 5:30 p.m.

• Thursday 7:30 am to 8 p.m.

• Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 p.m.

In addition, Clara Barton Clinic and Barton County Health Department will be collaborating on Clara Barton’s Free Physical Day from 4-6 p.m. today. The department will be offering vaccine services while the clinic will be providing the physicals. Parents are reminded to bring an insurance card. A parent must be present to sign for anyone under 18 years of age.

In other Health Department news:

• Schneider will serve on an Informatics Sub-Group as well as the Group to determine the electronic and software needs of Health Departments so that they may continue offering quality services in the future.

• Personnel were asked by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to review the new Family Planning Protocols and Program Guidance Documents and then serve on the KDHE’s Advisory Committee.

• Numerous staff attended the NIMS ICS (Incident Command System) Training in order to meet the Emergency Preparedness Grant goals. Having staff trained and equipped for emergencies will help in any future emergency Events.

• Schneider attended training for the Children with Special Health Care Needs Grant in Hays and Salina. The department is working to get the regional satellite office up and running.

County Engineer Barry McManaman

• Worked with surveyor and homeowner for a floodplain permit south of Ellinwood.

• Submitted an application for an off-system bridge replacement project to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

• Met with a landowner to discuss County right of way and road ownership east of Ellinwood

• Called the Division of Water Resources to discuss three floodplain permit requests

• Looked at utility and fence locations for drainage culverts north of Redwing

Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips

Road and Bridge

• Asphalt work continues in the Galatia area. Roads are being repaired and resurfaced.

• Mowing is performed daily in western Barton County and has resulted in completing the second pass of 15 feet along the roadway. Barton County staff mows 389 miles of both sides of the roadway and, due to this year’s heavy vegetation, more time is required to mow.

• Sign work continued daily. Overtime call-out was required at several locations to repair damaged signs. Stop signs were damaged south of Ellinwood and northeast of Odin. 

• Truck transportation signs were replaced near Olmitz. 

• Storm damaged bridges and culverts were repaired. One bridge south of Albert was washed out. 

• Two large culverts were repaired north east of Hoisington due to flood damage. 

• Sand is being pumped as pit water levels returned to normal after heavy rains three weeks ago. 

Solid Waste Manager Phil Hathcock

In the past reporting period, the Barton County Landfill took in: 

• 963 tons of municipal solid waste

• 238 tons of construction/demolition waste

• 414 tons of special waste

• 592 loads of waste received for disposal

• $57,888.10 of revenue generated through disposal fees

Notable Events 

• 120 mattresses were recycled through Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

• 175 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected on July 16.

• 3,660 pounds of e-Waste was recycled during the reporting period.

For more information regarding recycling, household hazardous waste, or regular household waste, call the landfill at 620-793-1898.

County Treasurer Kevin Wondra

• The Treasurer’s Office processed a total of 1,987 motor vehicle transactions between July 14 and July 27. Of those, 1,489 were vehicle renewals and 243 were new titles. In the past two weeks, personnel have also renewed, registered or updated 4 Commercial vehicles. 

• Clearing up delinquent properties so they are not on the tax sale is on-going. At this time, 71 tracts remain on the tax sale. 

• The bookkeepers are in the process of reconciling the bank accounts. All daily work is current. 

Interim Director Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee

• Five staff members of the Juvenile Services staff attended training in Lawrence for juvenile officers. Among the topics were emerging trends with street drugs, child sex crimes investigations, bus active shooter, street gangs awareness, Juvenile Justice Reform Bill overview and a presentation by a survivor of the Virginia Tech school shooting.

• Youth Awareness class was held on the June 27 for drug and alcohol and anger control.

• Juvenile Intake and Assessment has completed 32 intakes for the month so far.

• Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation and Case Management currently are supervising 70 youth from the Judicial District.

• Project Stay is the case management program for youth who have truancy issues and currently provides case management for 31 youth in the Judicial District.

• Teen Court is held every month and currently has 15 active cases and three newly referred cases from Rice County.