One Barton County organization that help keep youth away from drugs and two that help those coping with substance abuse will receive a little extra funding following action by the County Commission Monday morning. Commissioners approved the distribution of over $8,000 in special alcohol funding.
The total available for distribution would no less than $7,743.98. Following the last distribution, there was $8,514.88 available for disbursement, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
The county advertised and collected applications. After a public announcement period, three applications were accepted:
• Barton County Sheriff’s Office DARE – $2,500
The DARE program, which serves fifth graders in the county, has been around since 1992.
• Central Kansas Dream Center Discipleship Program – $3,007.44
These are nine-month, Christian-based residential programs for men and women that helps participants overcome life-controlling issues that include, but are not limited to substance abuse, anger, depression, and the emotional residue left by mental, physical, and sexual abuse. Enrollment is free.
• Dream Inc. outpatient/addiction services – $3,007.44
Dream Inc, has been around for over 25 years. It helps those of all ages coping with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
The funds are derived from the 10 percent gross receipts tax on the sale of liquor in private clubs, Hathcock said. It may be spent only for the purchase, establishment, maintenance or expansion of services or programs whose principal purpose is alcoholism and drug abuse prevention and education, alcohol and drug detoxification, intervention in alcohol and drug abuse or treatment of persons who are alcoholics or drug abusers or are in danger of becoming alcoholics or drug abusers.
The fund has been around since 1979.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Approved the Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan. The plan, in addition to naming County Administrator Phil Hathcock as the County’s ADA compliance officer, contains a grievance procedure for complaints.
The ADA, which became law in the 1990s, makes discriminating against people with disabilities unlawful. An ADA Transition Plan was developed that identifies physical obstacles in County facilities, describes how the facilities will be made accessible and a date for achieving compliance.
• Officially adopted a nondiscrimination agreement. The plan, in addition to charging Matt Patzner, human resources/financial officer, with the responsibility for initiating and monitoring Title VI activities, contains a complaint form.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance.
• Approved Dr. Edward (Dusty) Jones as the 20th Judicial District coroner. He will serve Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties for another term running January 2019 – December 2022.
• Appointed deputy coroners for the district. Named were doctors: William King, Lyle Noordhoek and Dan Witt, all of Barton County; Jerzy Slomka, Katie McWilliams and Ronald Whitmer, all of Ellsworth County; Kristina Darnauer, Stacy Dashiell, James Decker, Roger Klein and Roger Tobias, all of Rice County; and Fred Farmer of Stafford County.The terms also run January 2019 – December 2022.
• Appointed special deputy coroners. Named were: Scott Fleming and Rick Robinson of Barton County; Shawn McGowan of Ellsworth County; Steve Bolton of Russell County; and Melissa Dove and Doris Tompkins of Stafford County. These terms are for one calendar year.
• Approved a resolution transferring $3,000 from the Finance General Account of the General Fund to Teen Court. Teen Court is an intervention program under Juvenile Services, providing a mechanism for holding youthful offenders accountable.
• Approved the Special Alcohol Funding 2018 fund distribution totalling $8,514.88.
• Approved contracting with Computer Information Concepts for an appraisal portal for the Appraiser’s Office. For a subscription fee, those legally able to access the information would have the ability to view more detailed data and to run certain reports. The cost of the subscriptions would substantially offset the annual fee.
• Approved the purchase of a tilt-deck trailer for the Road and Bridge Department to haul the departments skid steer loaders. The 82-inch by 22-foot trailer with two 8,000-pound axles will come from Sunflower Trailer Sales of St. John at a cost of $8,450.
• Recognized Carey Hipp for her service as county counselor. She had held that post since 2017, but did not seek another year as counselor after being elected to serve as district judge for the 20th Judicial District.
