This winter has been a pricey one for the Barton County Road and Bridge Department, Director Dale Phillips said in a report to the Barton County Commission Monday morning.
So far, snow removal costs for 2014 are estimated at $103,190.69. In addition, department personnel have premixed 200 tons of salt and sand for future storms.
But, Mother nature is the only culprit when it comes to racking up a tab. Phillips said the cost of repairing and/or replacing vandalized signs this year to date has been over $16,000.
This information was part of the bi-weekly departmental update given by County Administrator Richard Boeckman.
Other highlights included:
Road and Bridge
• Staff hauled sand form Ellinwood to Great Bend in preparation for the summer road-sealing season.
• Work continued on culverts and signs.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency work completed, two projects remain.
• Snow and ice control measures were taken on March 2 and 3, preparing for predicted storms the week of March 10th.
• Replacement of signage through the High Risk Rural Roads grant continues.
Noxious Weed
• Staff attended the Kansas Weed Conference and Recertification on March 3-6 in Salina. This year’s conference included years of service awards. One interesting note came out of the longevity. Using only those directors with 20 years or more, the total service years added up to 883. Two Directors had 37 years of service – Don Lunsford from Barber County and Dale Phillips from Barton County. One person received recognition for retirement after 41 years. 
• Weed staff worked on snow removal prior to going to conference and worked over the previous weekend on snow removal.
 
Solid Waste Director Mark Witt
Taken in were:
• 586.98 tons of municipal solid waste
• 93.45 tons of construction/demolition waste
• 19.41 tons of special waste
• 277 loads of waste received for disposal
• $26,252.03 revenue generated in disposal fees for the period
Solid Waste staff has been busy with litter control operations with recent high wind events. According to State of Kansas regulations, blown litter must be collected and placed in appropriate disposal areas as soon as possible to prevent off-site litter conditions. The Barton County Landfill has a very good record for cleanliness as related to blown litter situations.
 
Emergency Manager Amy Miller
Work continues on collecting data for the South Central Kansas Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Study. The Cowley County Local Emergency Planning Committee developed the project for the South Central Kansas Homeland Security area, of which Barton County is a member county. The project is funded through a Hazardous Materials Emergency Program grant. Data concerning emergency declarations and federal disaster funds have already been submitted to the contractor, EMFusion LLC. Fire departments in Barton County were recently contacted to provide information on hazardous materials stored and transported through their respective jurisdictions. Barton County Emergency Management is providing a soft match for grant by tracking hours spent working on the project.
The Emergency Management department has also attended emergency planning meetings with USD 112 Central Plains and the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo Committee.

 911 Director Doug Hubbard
2014 statistics for February
• 911 landlines, 298
• 911 wireless, 803
• Administrative lines, 8,307
• Total calls, 9,408
• Radio calls, 102,634
• Calls for service, 2,702

Information Technology Director John Debes
• Working with Register of Deeds to allow outside access to information via the internet.
• Sent 15 computers and one printer for recycling.
• Upgrading equipment at the Sheriff’s Office and 911. This includes testing tablets.

Health Director Lily Akings
 Total clinic contacts, 251