Barton County crews are continuing to brace for the coming winter weather, Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips reported.
Mowing of right of way continues as this will enhance snow removal for the winter. Also, snow training for all staff was planned for this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Phillips’s update was part of County Administrator Richard Boeckman’s by-weekly summary of county departmental services.
Other Road and Bridge Department highlights were:
• Asphalt work was performed in the Galatia, Odin, Claflin and Hoisington areas. Potholes and asphalt breakouts were repaired with crew returning to the Susank and Hoisington area at the end of October 2013.
• Bridge work continued on NE 80 Road and culvert work in the Ellinwood area.
• Work at the Memorial Parks included repairing flagpoles, lights and roadways plus wind damaged fences.
• Planning work and getting supplies to start the sign replacement for the High Risk Rural Roads Grant has begun and the project is expected to start soon.
Noxious Weed Department
• Staff continues measures to control Musk Thistle in pastures, right of way and flood control areas.
 
Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller
The Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee, sponsored by Barton County Emergency Management, met on October 14 for its quarterly meeting. During the meeting, the committee conducted its annual review of Emergency Support Function Oil and Hazardous Materials. During this review session, members discussed radiation detection and response, and local options for responding to a radiation incident/accident in Barton County.
The committee also discussed the updated Barton County Emergency Operations Plan. The plan update was completed to meet the 2012 Kansas Planning Standards that were issued by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. Miller explained that the plan had been submitted to KDEM for review and approval on Oct. 11, 2013.

911 Director Doug Hubbard
October 2013 Statistics 
• 911 land lines, 335
• 911 wireless 1,033
• Administrative lines, 10,884
 • Total calls, 12,252
 • Radio calls, 104,634
 • Calls for service, 3,208

County Appraiser Barb Konrade
The Barton County Appraiser’s Office is gearing up to start its 2014 final review process. This is a process where appraisals for the Jan. 1, 2014, values are set. Some properties require field reviews and others are reviewed in the office by recent field work and pictures. State statutes require 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.
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 through March 1, 2014.
 
Health Director Lily Akings
Clinic, total, 588
• Family Planning, 60
• Immunization, 462
• Maternal and Infant, 11
• Sexually Transmitted disease, 12
• Healthy Start, 16
• Tuberculosis, 12
• Communicable disease, 4
• Child care licensing, 4
 Other News
• The Health Department has reordered the high dose flu vaccine.
• KDHE has closed a day care and that is being appealed.