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Third stone for vet memorial in the works
However, there are still lines to be sold
new deh county commission employee honor pic web
The Barton County Employee Relations Committee recommends outstanding individuals for the Employees Recognition Award. Monday morning, the County Commission recognized Patty Reynolds, front office interpreter/receptionist clerk for the Health Department with the employee of the quarter honor. Reynolds was nominated by Stacy Johnson, nurse. Her nomination includes her ability to set the culture for the Health Department with her smile and professional manner, ERC Secretary Diana Watson said. Pictured Reynolds and Watson are commissioners Kenny Schremmer, Jennifer Schartz, Alicia Straub and Don Davis. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

Barton County Commission meeting at a glance

Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission Council did Monday morning:

• Approved a proclamation recognizing the Central Plains High School boys and girls are the 2018 2A basketball state champions.

• Recognized Patty Reynolds, front office interpreter/receptionist clerk for the Health Department, with the Employees Recognition Award.

• Approved the Central Kansas Community Corrections Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive Plan submission. This comprehensive plan justifies the funding request of $504,232.72 for FY 2019.

• Approved Central Kansas Community Corrections’ applying for $23,170.89 for a Behavioral Health Grant from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The agency is requesting these funds to fill the vacant position of an intensive supervision officer/cognitive behavioral facilitator.

• Approved Juvenile Services Fiscal Year 2019 budget request. The request is for $635,847.82.

• Named Penelope Gullett to the Barton County Planning Commission for a term that ends in March 2021. The commission plans for the proper growth and development of Barton County through planning and zoning laws for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Although all applicants must reside in Barton County, the majority of members must be from the unincorporated area, Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said.

Now, all the positions on the commission are filled, she said.

• Approved the purchase of a third stone for the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial project at a cost of $23,024.

• Approved a bid from Lyle Bryant Construction for $11,650 to replace the shingled roof on the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. Following several hail storms in 2017, Barton County requested that EMC Insurance, the county’s insurance carrier, inspect the roofs of county buildings for damage. The Sheriff’s Office roof was identified as having been damaged. Bids were received for the replacement of the shingled portion of the roof with Lyle Bryant having the lowest bid, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.

The insurance company will reimburse the county for the cost.

• Approved the annual peopleware agreement with Computer Information Concepts for $46,885, a slight increase over last year. In 2013, the county purchased a commercial software package from CIC. Highly summarized, the software includes tax administration, budgetary/fund accounting, indexing/imaging, payroll/personnel and time/attendance. The  agreement details responsibilities for the soft- and hard-ware, including response time, Hathcock said. 

A third stone for the on-going Golden Belt Veterans Memorial will be purchased, the Barton County Commission decided Monday morning.

Local sculptor Chet Cale will prepare the stone and base at a cost of $23,024, County Works Director Darren Williams said. The action follows the Barton County Memorial Parks Advisory Board speaking to the commission about the need for a tablet last week during a study session. 

There are funds available in the Memorial Parks Stewardship Fund for the purchase. 

However, this does not include the engraving the veterans’ names. At $45 per line, 540 (about 370 veterans) have to be sold before each of the stones can be ordered.

As of Monday, 52 lines remained to be sold, said Diane Watson, assistant to the commission. They hope to have them sold by the end of August or the first of September, allowing the stone to be order and ready for a dedication on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The second stone was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2016, and the first stone on Veterans Day the year before. But, the project dates back to 2012 when the idea of a memorial was first raised.

The stones flank a center obelisk. In addition to the stones, there are flags representing the branches of service, including Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Merchant Marines.

The Golden Belt Veterans’ Memorial honors veterans with Barton County ties who have served in all conflicts and in all branches of the military who have a connection with Barton County. Qualifications to be included are proof that the veteran was at least at one time a Barton County residency and an honorable discharge from the military. The veteran can be living or deceased, and active-duty service members are also eligible.

Those wanting to purchase a spot on the memorial or make a donation can bring their payments to the Barton County administration office in room 107 of the courthouse at 1400 Main in Great Bend. For more information call 620-793-1800.

Checks must be made payable to Barton County.

The monument is located at the Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Road north of Great Bend.