Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Wednesday morning:
• Adopted a proclamation marking April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
• Adopted a proclamation marking April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
• Approved awarding Barton County Facade Improvement Grant awards.
• Approved a zoning amendment for Lance Crosby, dba C4 AG Solutions LLC.
The application calls for an amendment to the zoning classification from Agricultural District to Light Manufacturing Service Commercial District on a 2.7 acre portion of a 9.5- acre tract owned by Lance E. and Amy R. Crosby, Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said. This will allow them to use a newly built 60x120-foot building for office and storage for an agricultural seed and chemical products distribution business. The property is located 466 SW 80 Ave, Pawnee Rock.
• Reappointed Chad Ehrlich and J.C. Bosch, and appointed Dan Witt to the Barton County Planning Commission.
The county has sought applicants for the commission, the focus of which is to plan for the proper growth and development of Barton County through the enactment of planning and zoning laws for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said. Although all applicants must reside in Barton County, the majority of members must be from the unincorporated area.
These are three-year uncompensated terms that end in March 2026. Three of the nine commission opens term each March.
• Approved the repair of box culvert concrete damage on SW 110 Avenue south of SW 40 Road.
On Feb. 8, a vehicle left the road and struck a concrete wing on a box culvert and caused substantial damage. The work is needed in order to proceed with stabilizing the shoulder of the road, County Works Director Darren Williams said.
L&M Contractors Inc. of Great Bend submitted a $8,570 quote for repair work. The county will pursue recovery of the cost through the vehicle owner’s insurance or through civil action.
• Approved Central Kansas Community Corrections fiscal year 2023 unexpended funding.
The Kansas Department of Corrections will provide unexpended funding to agencies in 100% compliance with fiscal and outcome reporting, said Assistant CKCC Director Tyler Lehmkuhl. This has resulted in CKCC being eligible for an additional $33,459.05 for fiscal year 2023.
It is anticipated that the money will be used to purchase a replacement copier, computer equipment, office furniture and other regular operational expenditures, he said.
• Approved the purchase of a copier for Central Kansas Community Corrections.
CKCC requested a quote for a new copier from Office Products Inc. of Great Bend. The cost of the Canon Imagerunner Advance DX 6855i is $10,150 which will be split with the Court Services Office.
The Barton County Commission Wednesday morning plunged into round two of its poplar Facade Improvement Grant Program that provides assistance for business owners wanting to refresh their store fronts. Six grants were awarded.
“This is near and dear to my heart,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “I’m excited to get this going.”
“This is a good day to be a commissioner,” said District 1 Commissioner Duane Reif. “We get to help small businesses.”
“In 2021, the commission dedicated $630,000 to the facade improvement project,” County Administrator Matt Patzner said. Funds spent on completed projects totaled $369,390.43 with extended projects estimated at $229,009.45, and there is $31,600 from the original funding remaining.
Commissioners didn’t act on four projects in 2021, labeling them as alternatives, Patzner said. At the end of the project year, these were made a priority for future efforts.
Then, on Feb. 8, the commission approved an additional $250,000 for facade grants round two, he said. First on the list were the four priority projects.
Applications were solicited until March 15. Another 23 applications were received prior to the March 15 deadline.
In all, six projects approved Wednesday, including three of the four priorities. They include:
• Eric Doan and Donita Frantz requested $13,258.50 to improve the building located at 2023 Lakin, Great Bend. This is a 2021 priority project for the building housing H&R Block/Doan’s Outdoor Store. The $4,411.50 match by the applicant equates to 25% of the project.
This was a priority project.
• Kevin Keller with Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency Inc. requested $20,000 to improve the building located at 1101 Williams, Great Bend. This is a 2021 priority project. The $48,900 match by the applicant equates to 71% of the project.
This was a priority project.
• Todd Clark with Magna-Dry LLC requested $20,000 to improve the building located at 1724 Main, Great Bend. The $56,069.42 match by the applicant equates to 74% of the project.
• Matthew Gerritzen requested $20,000 to improve the building located at 463 S. Main, Hoisington. This project is proposed for an agricultural business. The $7,465.85 match by the applicant equates to 27% of the project.
• Greg King and Larry Gale with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Kansas requested $17,091.61 to improve the building located at 1917 17th, Great Bend. The $5,697.21 match by the applicant equates to 25% of the project.
• Frederick L. Gunn requested $20,000 to improve the building located at 107 N. Main, Ellinwood. This is a 2021 priority project for the building housing Gunn’s Antiques & Collectibles. The $7,397.15 match by the applicant equates to 27% of the project.
This was a priority project.
There were some project guideline changes in the second round, Patzner said. They can now be within eye-shot of the main street corridor, not just along the main street corridor, and no more than 25% of the award may be used towards signage and no more than 25% of the award may be used towards windows. “Applicants are encouraged to use more than 50% of work towards this visual impact,” he said.
The recipients have a year to complete the work, Hutchinson said. They really don’t want to grant extensions, unless there are severe extenuating circumstances.
