In other action Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:
• Accepted a bid from L&M Contractors Inc. of Great Bend of $266,598 for the West Barton County Road flood control ditch bridge approach rehabilitation. This project involves the backfill and replacement of the approach slabs due to erosion. Bids were received from L&M Contractors and Wildcat Construction. L&M had the low bid. Funds are available in the Capital Improvement for this project, with a planned reimbursement from Federal Exchange funds, said County Engineer Clark Rusco.
The total cost of the project includes an extra $41,000 to use traffic lights to alternate the direction of traffic flow. Since the bridge is equally important to those inside and outside, the county and the City of Great Bend are equally splitting the additional expense with each paying $20,500.
A detour would have likely taken drivers south in front of Fuller Brush and forced them to turn across two lanes of U.S. 56, said County Administrator Richard Boeckman. This was a dangerous scenario.
Boeckman was at the June 7 Great Bend City Council meeting when the city approved its share. City Administrator Howard Partington was at the commission meeting Monday. Both said this was a reminder that the two entities do work well together.
• Heard an update from Boeckman on the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway scenic overlook on K-4 east of Hoisington. In 2013, Barton County partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to apply for $232,460.00 in Kansas Department of Transportation funding to make improvements to the site. The grant was designed to allow for additional improvements, to include a handicap accessible 10-foot tall wooden viewing tower as described in a 2014 grant applicant.
Both grants have been approved and work could begin at the site this fall.
• Approved an updated contract with Reno County Youth Services. Under the revised agreement, Reno County will provide juvenile detention for Barton County at the current rate of $140 per calendar day and increased to $150 per day as of Jan. 1, 2015.
Boeckman said the county has worked with Reno County for several years. This involves child offenders who have to be housed in a secure facility, so the county doesn’t have much choice since it does not have a facility that meets state requirements.
Sometimes, the children can be in Reno County for extended periods. But, the use of video conference technology is reducing the transportation costs of hauling them back and forth.
• Heard an update from Boeckman on the activities of county departments.
It was a time Monday morning to show appreciation. The Barton County Commission recognized two long-time county employees who are leaving after years of service.
Recognized were Health Director Lily Akings who is retiring and Landfill Manager Mark Witt who is leaving for other opportunities out of state.
Akings has served as the Barton County Health Department administrator since Jan. 2, 1979. “During her 35 years of service, the Health Department has seen numerous changes,” Commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer said. “From moving to its current location, to computerized medical records, to more advanced testing done in a shorter period of time, Lily Akings has advanced the public health working in concert with the commission and the Barton County Health Advisory Board,” Schremmer said. “Throughout the years she has been instrumental in the development of policies, systems and environmental changes that have impacted Barton County and will continue to do so for many years to come.”
Akings has coordinated staff, community events and educational programs for Barton County residents of all ages. At this time, the Commission will be asked to recognize Ms. Akings for her public service.
“I have enjoyed my 35 years. I have enjoyed my work,” an emotional Akings said.
She said she has also appreciated the support all the commissioners she’s worked with have show for public health, adding it has made a difference. The partnership has been essential in helping prevent disease.
As for Witt, who will leave his post as the Barton County public solid waste manager Aug. 14, he has been employed by Barton County since February, 2001. Prior to that, he spent six years with the Great Bend Fire Department.
“Advancing from heavy equipment operator to manager, Mark provided invaluable services after the Hoisington Tornado, initiated any number of recycling efforts and participated in the expansion of services through the addition of disposal cells,” Schremmer said.
Witt is getting married Saturday in North Platte, Neb., and he and his wife will be moving to Kearney, Neb., where she works as a psychiatric nurse.
“I regret having to leave Barton County,” Witt said, adding that the landfill has grown to be a well respected facility. “We are a recognized leader in solid waste management in the state of Kansas.”
