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ROAD TO SOMEWHERE
County honored for Railroad Avenue project
new deh county commission paving award pic
Pictured are Barton County Engineering Technician Darren Williams, center holding the plaque, and county commissioners Homer Kruckenberg, Don Davis, Kenny Schremmer, Jennifer Schartz and Alicia Straub. Barton County received the second-place Full Depth Paving Award for Asphalt Pavement from the Kansas Asphalt Pavement Association thanks to the efforts of the engineering department. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

 On Dec. 3, 2015, Barton County was given the Kansas Asphalt Pavement Association Inc.’s second-place Full Depth Paving Award for Asphalt Pavement for work done on Railroad Avenue. 

It was awarded for “the outstanding engineering contribution to achieve quality hot mix asphalt pavement in Kansas,” Engineering Technician Darren Williams told the Barton County Commission Monday morning. The $350.000 project, which was completed last summer, involved Railroad Avenue from Washington Street west to U.S. 56.

It was noted that Venture Corporation was the contractor for the project. It was Venture that nominated the county for the recognition.

“That’s quite an honor,” Commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer said. “That is a nice road.”

“When you spend so much money, its nice to receive an award for what you’ve done,” Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said.

Based in Topeka, the KAPA represents over 50 hot-mix asphalt producers and suppliers, associate members, and consulting engineers. Kip Spray of Venture Corporation sits on the KAPA board.

In other business Monday morning, the commission:

• Approved the designation of Barton County financial institutions as official depositories. Such institutions must meet the 100 percent pledged securities requirement for all county funds. According to County Resolution 2006-23, all depositories must provide to the county treasurer and the financial officer proof of security for these funds whenever such information is requested. Each institution designated as an official depository shall be notified by certified letter that they are required to meet the pledged security, County Treasurer Kevin Wondra said. 

• Approved the renewal of the county’s membership in the Kansas Association of Counties for 2016. Based on population and valuation, the 2016 dues are $5,925.65, which is a slight decrease from last year due to a dip in the valuation. The association sponsors the annual KAC Conference, various educational meetings throughout the year and lobbies the state and federal lawmakers on behalf of Kansas counties. KAC will also assist counties with budgeting, surveys and legislative efforts upon request, County Administrator Richard Boeckman said. 

• Reappointed Elise Snapp to the Center for Counseling and Consultation Governing Board. This Board reviews and makes recommendations on mental health services in Barton County and the surrounding area. The uncompensated term expires in December 2018, Boeckman said. This was the third and final appointment the commission had to make to the board.