Valuation notices for real property were mailed on March 17, and this is followed by a 30 day appeal deadline, said Barton County Appraiser Barbara Konrade.
During this appeal process, the hearing officer explains how the valuation was established and listens to the property owner’s opinion of value and why they believed the value is incorrect.
Konrade said all decisions will be mailed regarding the informal hearing on or before May 20. If a property owners disagrees with the county’s decision, they have 30 days from the mailing date of the notifications to file an appeal with the Court of Tax Appeals regular or Small Claims Division.
If the deadline to schedule an informal appeal was missed, one can still protest the 2014 value when taxes are paid or by Jan. 31 if taxes are paid out of an escrow account.
In addition, her office is in the process of mailing oil and gas valuations and personal property notices will be mailed by May 30.  The deadline to appeal or report any discrepancies found needs to be filed within 15 days of receiving the notice.
Konrade’s report was part of County Administrator Richard Boeckman’s bi-weekly update on county departmental activities given during the County Commission meeting Monday morning. Other highlights included:

County Engineer Clark Rusco
• Met with surveyor concerning survey information for Barton County.
• Provided surveys for Road and Bridge for construction at the Veterans Section, Golden Belt Cemetery.
• Met with Kansas Department of Transportation officials to start the completion of KDOT Bridge Final paperwork for the truss bridge southeast of Great Bend. L&M Contractors of Great Bend built the structure.
• 2014 Rigid Frame Box Bridge Replacement Project. These are like traditional concrete boxes used for bridge replacement, except re-enforced in the corners.
Rusco finished plans and specifications for three structures to be replaced this year. Advertisement for the project has begun and bids will be opened this month. Currently have two contractors requesting plans and specs and the bid opening will be May 20.
• Completed surveys for KDOT High Risk Rural Road signage Phase 3 grant application. Grant application has been sent to KDOT for their review. If this is approved by KDOT, work under this grant would include the continuation of upgrading signage on most county roads south of Great Bend. It would provide 100 percent of the project cost. 

Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips
Road and Bridge
• A drainage ditch was cleared and erosion control completed north of Dundee at SW 60 Avenue and SW 30 Road. This included grass seeding and the installation of erosion prevention mats.
• Asphalt work and pothole patching is on-going.
• Emergency sign repairs were required – involved storm damage and vandalism.
• A total of 25,000 tons of sand have been hauled from Ellinwood to Great Bend this year.
Memorial Parks
• Repaired flag poles.
• Installed sidewalks.
• Worked on the Veterans Memorial, to include setting flagpoles and pouring concrete.

911 Director Doug Hubbard
2014 Statistics  April
911 Landlines,  299
911 Wireless,  947
Administrative lines,  10,027
Total calls,  11,273
Radio calls,  102,737
Calls for service,  3,092

Health Director Lily Akings
Client contacts
• Clinic, 165
• Women, Infant an Children, 261
The department is presently working to complete the digital sign goal.