Barton County Appraisers Office personnel are done with part of their reappraisal efforts for 2016, but more remains to be done, County Appraiser Barb Esfeld said.

According to state law, Kansas appraisers are required to re-inspect 17 percent of their county each year. This year, the Barton County Appraiser’s Office has inspected properties located in Comanche, South Bend, Liberty and Pawnee Rock townships. Portions of Great Bend were also inspected. 

However, they are still working on commercial reappraisals and will be through Jan. 1, 2017. Properties that have sold recently and/or have building permits are still being inspected as well. 

When inspecting properties, Esfeld said county staff will have name tags and will be in county-marked vehicles. 

In addition, the Appraiser’s Office recently mailed income and expense statements to office and retail property owners. These questionnaires should be returned by Aug. 19. 

The information is kept confidential, Esfeld said. It is needed to assist the Appraiser’s Office in establishing models to produce fair market value on similar properties. 

If anyone has questions, they can County Appraiser Barbara Esfeld at 620-793-1821.

Esfeld’s report was part of County Administrator Richard Boeckman’s biweekly departmental update. Other highlights included:

Road and Bridge

• Winter snow removal training and operational planning has started. This includes equipment fabrication and setup to prepare for pending winter weather. Salt, sand and plow blades are being ordered for early winter delivery. Forecasters are planning for an early, wet winter. 

Noxious Weed Department

• Spraying of noxious weeds continues on township and Kansas Department of Transportation right of way. Noxious weeds such as bindweed, Johnson grass and bur ragweed are being sprayed utilizing boom trucks, hand hose spraying and spot treatments. Weed growth continues to be in full bloom even in the hot weather.

• Mowing of right of way is ongoing. 

• Patching asphalt potholes with staff available.

• Sign work is ongoing. Speed Limit signs are being installed on Northeast 20 Avenue going north of Northeast 30 Road.

County Engineer Barry McManaman

• Held discussions with the Federal Highway Administration about the removal of bridge railings on various box culverts to enhance safety continue.

• Held discussions with PBA Architects about the status of the Overlook Tower project and review of shop drawings when they are submitted.

• Technician is reviewing the sign order and providing information to the supplier for the High Risk Rural Roads Signing Project through the Kansas Department of Transportation.

• Technician is working on price quotes for flashing beacons 

Solid Waste Director Phil Hathcock

In the last reporting period, the Barton County Landfill took in:

• 1,097 tons of municipal solid waste

• 226 tons of construction/demolition waste

• 108 tons of special waste

• 634 loads of waste received for disposal

• $53,394.12 of revenue generated through disposal fees

Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller

The South Central Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council has begun its efforts to review Homeland Security capabilities throughout the 19 county area. The council is tasked with developing and enhancing capabilities to prevent, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism. 

The Council is comprised of representatives from every county in the region, as well as functional disciplines (such as: fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, environmental health, hospitals, and public works), and first class cities within the 19 county area. 

Miller, is the Barton County representative on the Council.

Identifying priorities for improvement and recommended projects, to be funded through the Homeland Security Grant Program, is the largest responsibility of the council. Project development and selection for the next anticipated grant cycle will be decided by the council by the end of this year.

Interim Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee

Week of Aug. 1

• Presented Ellsworth law enforcement an informational class regarding juvenile law changes from Kansas Senate Bill 367. The bill creates and amends thelaw related to the Kansas juvenile justice system in terms of case, probation and detention length limits. It also mandates a graduated responses to violations and reintegration plans for juveniles, among other things.

• A youth awareness class was held on drug and alcohol and anger control.

• Juvenile Intake and Assessment has completed seven intakes in the last week.

• Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation and Case Management currently are supervising 70 youth from the Judicial District.

• Project Stay is the case management program for youth who have truancy issues and currently provides case management for 30 youth in the Judicial District.

• Teen Court is held every month and currently has sixteen (16) active cases. 

• Completed Corrective Action Plan for Department of Corrections audit held in October 2015.

• Human trafficking meeting is planned for Aug. 24.

• Alcohol Prevention held an event for City of Great Bend’s Party in the Park on Aug. 13.

Week of Aug. 8

• Three Juvenile Services staff attended training in Wichita provided by Clinical Associates at the Juvenile Services office. Clinical Associates will be providing sex offender treatment in the communities for juvenile sex offenders who are not removed from the home. 

• Met with the Rice County attorney regarding changes with implementation of SB 367 and referrals to Juvenile Services program.

• Youth awareness class was held for drug and alcohol and anger control.

• Juvenile Intake and Assessment has completed four intakes since last Thursday (Aug. 4).

• Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation and Case Management currently are supervising 70 youth from the Judicial District

• Project Stay provided case management for 30 youth the Judicial District

• Teen Court is held every month and currently has 16 active cases