Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Tuesday morning:
• Approved a contract with Postalocity of Wichita for $16,094.51 to handle the bulk mailing of property tax revenue neutral rate notices for the County Clerk’s Office.
• Approved, for a second time, the remodeling of bathrooms and doors at the Barton County Health Department to provide for a decontamination and washer/dryer area, and to provide a meeting room.
The $70,928 is totally funded through Kansas Department of Health and Environment grants.
• Praised county personnel for their efforts in moving county offices out of the Courthouse to the former JC Penney building, and apologized for there being no air conditioning yet working at the new location.
Following the agenda meeting, the following appointments were scheduled:
• 9:45 a.m. – program update with Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Amy Boxberger.
• 10:30 a.m. – updates from the Ellinwood, Hoisington, Great Bend chambers of commerce.
• 10:45 a.m. – an introduction to alternative election methods presented by the League of Women Voters of Great Bend President Janice Walker.
• 11 a.m. – fireworks request with Veronica Ludwig.
• 11:15 a.m. – regular business discussion with County Administrator Matt Patzner.
The Barton County Commission Tuesday morning met for the first time on its new day and in its new, albeit temporary, digs, the former JC Penney building at 1500 Kansas.
“It’s going to be kind of awkward,” said District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld as she found her seat in what used to be the department store’s shoe section. As she took her place, there was a mad scramble behind her as fans were set up (there is no air conditioning yet) and last-minute technological issues were resolved.
“I just want everyone to know that everything humanly possible is going on to get the air conditioning working,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. He was upset that county personnel and the public has had to cope with the sultry conditions.
“I just want to extend our apologies,” Esfeld said of the heat. “We will do everything we can to find a solution.
They hope to have at least a temporary fix in place by week’s end.
Ironically, the reason for the move to the Penney building from the Courthouse was to accommodate the year-long, $4.2 million project to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the century-old structure. The AC isn’t working there either.
A big move
It has been a monumental undertaking, Hutchinson said of the relocation.
“I just want to give a big shout-out to all the county employees,” many of whom moved their own desks and office equipment, he said. “There has never been a more dedicated group. What a great team to be a part of.”
“We wouldn’t be where we are now without the dedication of our staff,” echoed County Administrator Matt Patzner. “I am proud to work with this group.”
Commissioners voted in May to return to a Tuesday schedule starting this month.
In January 2022, the commission changed its meeting dates from Tuesdays to Wednesdays to accommodate County Counselor Patrick Hoffman, who had just also been named the Reno County counselor and they met on Tuesdays. However, the Reno County Commission in March voted to move its meetings to Wednesday allowing Hoffman to attend on Tuesday’s in Barton County.
In making the change, commissioners said Tuesdays had always worked better for them.
