As a result of its hazardous household waste disposal program, the Barton County Solid Waste Department diverted 13 drums of the chemicals from the landfill for the period of May through October, Solid Waste Manager Phil Hathcock said.
There will be no more scheduled household hazardous waste collections until April of 2015. However, Hathcock said the waste can be brought to the landfill by appointment throughout the winter.
What is household hazardous waste? It includes household products or chemicals which can cause injury or are harmful if not used, stored, or disposed of properly. Key words found on hazardous products include poison, danger, warning, toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or irritant.
For more information regarding recycling, household hazardous waste, or regular household waste can call the landfill at 620-793-1898.
Hathcock’s report was part of County Administrator Richard Boeckman’s bi-weekly departmental update. Other highlights included:

Landfill
November statistics
• 743.89 tons of municipal solid waste
• 121.17 tons of construction/demolition waste
• 1062.33 tons of special waste
• 461 loads of waste received for disposal
• $65,370.74 of revenue generated through disposal fees
 
Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips
Road and Bridge
• Road and Bridge staff continues preparations and readiness for winter weather emergencies.
• Salt and sand were stockpiled for mixing and future use.
• Performed drainage and culvert work on NE 180 Road between NE 90 Avenue and NE 130 Avenue.
• Culvert work and rebuilding right of way began on SW 30 Road west of SW 60 Avenue. Dirt will be hauled out and new culverts installed to replace bad culverts.
• Mowing of Right of Way continued in the northwest area of Barton County near Galatia.
• Regular maintenance and repair of vandalized signs is ongoing.
• Bridge work was performed on NE 190 Road backfilling newly constructed bridges.
Noxious Weed
• Noxious Weed continued preparations for winter snow and ice emergencies along with equipment repairs.
• Spraying right of way continued as the weather allowed.

911 Director Doug Hubbard
November statistics
• 911 Landlines, 307
• 911 Wireless, 877
• Administrative lines, 9,515
• Total calls, 10,699
• Radio calls, 97,677
• Calls for service, 2,800

County Appraiser Barb Esfeld
The Barton County Appraiser’s Office is finalizing studies to assist in establishing 2015 values. Fair Market value is established for the property as it exists on Jan. 1.
The office reviews past sales, trends in the market, cost to construct and other data to help appraise all properties. These studies take several months for mass appraisal.
Some properties require field reviews and others are reviewed in the office by recent field work and pictures. Kansas Statute 79-503a requires the county appraiser to establish fair market value for both residential and commercial properties in the County.
“Fair market value” means the amount in terms of money that a well informed buyer is justified in paying and a well informed seller is justified in accepting for a property in an open and competitive market, assuming that the parties are acting without undue compulsion.
Appraisal staff will be driving by some properties and reviewing these appraisals for accuracy. As always, Barton County appraisal staff will be in marked vehicles and wearing name tags. This process will last up to March 1, 2015.

Public Health Director Shelly Schneider
• Attended an ebola preparedness meeting
• The Barton County Health Department Advisory Board has three terms expiring. Anyone interested in applying can contact the Barton County Administrator’s Office, 620-793-1800.