County departments are currently involved in a variety of new projects, County Administrator Richard Boeckman reported to the Barton County Commission this week.
Boeckman provided an update on several recent efforts, including:
• Appraiser’s Office
County Appraiser Barbara Konrade reported her staff “is collecting new construction data and reviewing properties that have sold. 
“For each property sold, data is verified and a digital photo of the property is taken. 
“This information is used to establish values on properties not sold,” the appraiser reported.
She explained that “also used to establish Jan. 1, 2012, values is replacement costs and a market analysis.” 
Konrade reminded local residents that they can now get even more county information on the Internet.
She encouraged taxpayers to “check out the Barton County website and click on Real Estate Property Search. 
“You will find maps, descriptions, property data and valuation information regarding real estate located in Barton County.”
• County Clerk’s Office
Barton County continues to be busy with several kinds of outdoor activities, and County Clerk Donna Zimmerman reported that her staff has been busy keeping up with the sale of licenses and stamps, required for a variety of hunting and fishing.
Recent activity, Zimmerman reported, included
Sold four state waterfowl stamps, two residential hunting licenses, eight fishing licenses, 12 HIP permits, one trout permit, four three-pole permits, 16 annual camp permits, eight 14-night camp permits, 13 deer permits, and 26 spring turkey permits for a total of $6,734.80 to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for the reporting period March 15, to Oct. 3.
In that time, her department also issued 142 vehicle permits, she reported.
• Juvenile Services
It’s been a busy season for Juvenile Intake and Assessment, also, according to Juvenile Services Director Laurie White.
White reported that her staff “in first quarter of the fiscal year (July, August and September) conducted 123 intakes. 
“Of the 123 intakes, 50 were juvenile offenders, 34 status offenders and 39 non-offenders. 
“Only 16 youth, age 10 or less, were interviewed and 59 percent were 15 or above. 
“Fifteen percent were placed in detention and 59 percent were returned to parent/guardian/relative or other responsible adult,” White reported. 
• Communications Department
Communications Director Doug Hubbard reported that work continues to upgrade the department’s equipment.
“The Communications Department has started the process of replacing dispatch consoles. 
“A request for proposal was released on Oct. 6, with an end date of Nov. 9. 
“Present consoles were put in service in 2005 and are showing signs of disrepair,” Hubbard reported.
He added that he “expects to replace these consoles with ergonomically up to date features, more CPU storage and better cable routing. 
“In addition, the configuration of the dispatch area will be revised to allow for improved communication and to reduce the overall amount of console furniture needed. 
“While changing out consoles, carpet and tile floor covering will be replaced,” he added.