Longtime deputy county clerk stepping down
Commission honors Marcia Sauber for years of service
BY DALE HOGG
dhogg@gbtribune.com
The Barton County Commission bid farewell Monday morning to Marcia Sauber, chief deputy in the County Clerk’s Office. She retired as of Monday after nearly a half century serving county residents.
Sauber had a doctor’s appointment and was unable to attend, but those who worked with her were present in force. “Marcia set the standard of excellence. She has not only been an invaluable asset to the County Clerk and Election Office, but the county as a whole,” said an emotional County Clerk Donna Zimmerman, Sauber’s supervisor.
“Her knowledge of the office is vast, having worked in nearly all divisions of the office,” Zimmerman said. “In the time that I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside her, I witnessed a work ethic second to none.
“Marcia has been the hub in the wheel that is our office,” Zimmerman said. “She not only worked closely with the entire department, keeping everyone on task and ensuring schedules were met, but she also worked with many of the County’s other departments. She was our ‘go-to’ for answering historical questions, for knowing procedures and being able to direct callers and the public to the correct office for even the most obscure reasons.”
She was instrumental to the election process, worked tax roll adjustments, deeds and much more, Zimmerman said. “She was invaluable to me, her coworkers and her friends. She was more than a coworker, she is a dear friend.”
Sauber began her career with Barton County on June 16, 1968. In light of her contributions, Sauber will be presented with a plaque, clock and gift basket.
In addition, in saluting her value to the county, the county’s Employee Relations Committee selected Sauber for the Employee Recognition Award for the first quarter of the year, which ended March. Her nomination, submitted by her fellow employees, noted “Ms. Sauber’s vast knowledge, patience and meticulous attention to detail.”
On behalf of the ERC, committee President Bj Wooding asked the commission join in recognizing Sauber “for the significant contribution she has made to the County Clerk’s Office, the local election process and to Barton County over the last 46 years.”
Commissioners called her an unsung hero who did not like attention called to her. They also said she will be missed.
“I admire anyone who can spend that much time in one job,” said Commissioner Don Davis.
Acknowledging the benefits of two separate recycling efforts in Barton County, the County Commission Monday morning approved allocating more than it was planning to for its annual recycling grant.
The county had set aside $11,400 from the Barton County Landfill fund as it did last year. But, this year, there were two applicants – Sunflower Diversified Services of Great Bend (which was the sole applicant last year) and Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation of Hoisington.
So, the commission voted to award a total of $17,700. It gave $12,000 to Sunflower so it could purchase a glass crusher, and $5,700 to Kans for Kids so it could purchase additional receptacles for aluminum cans and other items.
“These are both worthwhile,” Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said. She was glad that the county could accommodate the two causes.
Sunflower and Kans for Kids help the landfill by keeping the recyclable materials out of it, thus prolonging its life. And, as an added bonus, the county might be able to purchase Sunflower’s ground glass to use in its road-paving mixture.
In the 2014 budget, the commission allocated the money under the Solid Waste fund for recycling with an understanding that applications would be accepted locally. Those eligible to apply include any department, agency, organization, recycling center, city, school district or community college located in Barton County.
The landfill is self-supporting through user fees, so the money for the grant does not come from tax dollars, said commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer.
In other business Monday morning, the County Commission:
• Approved several purchases for Central Kansas Community Corrections. The agency ended its fiscal year with some remaining funds that would have to be returned to the state if unused, said Amy Boxberger, CKCC director. “It will enable us to get some objects off our wish list.”
These include:
– Five portable UHF radios to aid in the safety of completing home visits, Boxberger said. The cost was $3,271 and they will come from Mobile Radio Services of Great Bend. Communication with law enforcement agencies by means of radios is necessary for performing client compliance checks and aids in an expeditious response in case of emergencies;
– Five Extreme Vests body armor vests for $5,163. This equipment is needed for officer safety in completing home visits for offenders assigned to intensive supervision;
In addition, the following purchase was approved:
– A 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT for $15,965 from Manweiler Chevrolet in Hoisington. Central Kansas Community Corrections solicited bids from eight dealerships in the 20th judicial district and received three. Specifications required a 2012 or newer, midsize four-door vehicle with power locks/windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control and at least 25 miles per gallon.
Boxberger said CKCC is now fully staffed and is able to provide more services. The additional vehicle will make that easier.
• Approved the purchase of a new Cannon copier to be shared by the Barton County Engineering and Emergency Management offices for $9,465 from Office Products Incorporated of Great Bend. It will replace a Cannon purchased in 2006 that is wearing out, said County Engineer Clark Rusco.
The service contract on the old machine was $51 per month, and copies were billed at 1.7 cents for black and white and 13 cents for color. The contract for the new one will be $26, and the copies will be 1.2 and 9 cents.
