By a split decision, Barton County Commission took action Monday to help an agency that touches the lives of most area seniors.
The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) requested $1,500 in matching funds from Barton County, which would be used as "seed dollars."
According to information from the county, the funds, "are an equivalent match to the $401,461 in services received by older residents and low income families from Barton County.
"The County has traditionally provided this match from the Finance General Account of the General Fund," it was reported.
SWKAAA provides numerous services for senior citizens in Barton County and around this part of the state.
Commissioner John Edmonds questioned the requested total and it was noted that SWKAAA received $1,425 this past year and during the budget study for this year, the amount approved was $1.345, providing for the same 5 percent decreases in outside agency funding as had been assigned to other agencies.
At one point in Monday’s discussion, Edmonds suggested a motion that the issue be tabled until county staff could provide money for the other agencies that had also been cut.
However, he later rescinded that motion.
Commissioners urged that the programs this agency provides for people 60 and older are crucial and that the original request should be fulfilled.
The commission approved $1,500 in funding with Edmonds and Commissioner Don Cates voting opposed.
The commissioners also took another step in the annual effort to keep up with property taxes.
This step is to prepare for abstracting services, which are required on delinquent properties.
There is only one abstract service in the county, and Barton County Abstract will provide the work for $65 per parcel. That price is that same as last year’s, it was noted.
This is in preparation for the 2011 tax sale, which is scheduled for October.
According to information from the county, Cory Meitner and Dennis Ludwig have resigned their positions as the Albion Township trustee and treasurer, respectively.
The commission accepted those resignations and then approved new appointments.
Ludwig was appointed as a new trustee and Jean Flagor was named the new township treasurer.
