Scrap metal dealers in rural areas of Barton County have new regulations to follow, due to a resolution that has been approved by the Barton County Commission.
The resolution brings county requirements in line with state licensing requirements which were established under House Bill No. 2312, County Administrator Richard Boeckman reported.
Information from the county noted that, “in order to be compliant with that bill, the commission will consider the adoption of a resolution establishing licensing and renewal fees. Fees shall apply only to those persons or businesses located in Barton County, outside any city limits. In addition, the license application itself is provided through the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.”
Boeckman explained the purpose of the state’s regulation is to insure that scrap metal dealers are not accepting inappropriate items, including public property, such as signs, manhole covers and other items that have been found to have been salvaged in recent incidents.
The county adopted the lowest fee structure possible and still be within the state requirements, it was noted.
Commissioner Don Cates, referring to the statewide reports of metals being stolen for salvage, noted this is another example in which the inappropriate actions of a small group of people have led to the state adopting increased regulatory measures.
Commissioner Kenny Schremmer, who cast the lone opposed vote to the resolution, said he’s opposed because of the potential impact this will have on the rural community and on the market. Now is a bad time to create more problems for rural businesses, Schremmer urged.
The county administrator explained this affects salvage and recycling sites that are outside incorporated city limits.