What is generally an open-and-shut issue was tabled by the Barton County Commission this week, as they get input to make sure that a safety provision in the county is working.
When the commissioners met this week, they were scheduled to consider routine orders for abatement and refunds on 2009 taxes. These would have been the last of this year’s adjustments on county taxes.
Those adjustments can mean the county get more money in, or has to rebate money out, and that can happen for a variety of reasons.
However, earlier this year, one of those reasons brought the county to inadvertently refund more than $45,000 more than it should have.
The mistake was caught and the money returned to the county — it had been sent to a company that routinely works with the county.
But commissioners were concerned then that the county should have procedures in place in the Appraiser’s Office to make sure everything is double checked.
Before this last round of rebates was approved, it was suggested that there be a report from the Appraiser’s Office.
Commissioner John Edmonds moved that the issue be tabled for one week and that was approved
Meanwhile, the Appraiser’s Office is keeping busy getting records ready for next year, according to a recent report from County Appraiser Barbara Konrade-Stierlen.
She reported her office, “is in the process of collecting new construction and reviewing properties that have sold. 
“For each property that has sold, personnel will verify the data on record and take digital pictures.”
She explained that “includes reviewing sales, checking replacement costs and performing market analysis.”