Barton County Treasurer Jim Jordan told the County Commission Monday morning that his office currently has 184 taxpayers on a payment plan for delinquent taxes. This is bringing in $38,718 in monthly payments.
“Way to go Jim,” said commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz. She was commenting on his office’s efforts to collect past-due taxes.
But, “it’s one and done,” Jordan said.
He explained that after one missed payment, the taxpayer is in default and owes the entire amount. If not paid, the property is back on the tax sale.
Other highlights of the tax office were:
• Collected $134,633.00 in delinquent tax for May.
• Collected $861,245.18 from Jan. 1 through May 31 in back taxes.
• There have been 55 payment plans paid in full for delinquent taxes.
• Bank accounts have all been reconciled and are current.
• All other work is up to date.
As for motor vehicles:
• 162 titles completed
• Issued 39 Disabled placards
• Issued 79 park permits
• Ordered four special plates
• Renewed or updated 3,025 registrations
His comments were part of a departmental update presented by County Administrator Phil Hathcock. Other accomplishments included:
County Engineer Barry McManaman
• Responded to numerous complaints and issues associated with the recent flooding. Looked at damages to roads and levees and documented areas where drainage problems are occurring.
• Developed contract documents and advertised for bids on the upcoming Railroad Avenue Resurfacing Project between Main Street and Washington Avenue. Met with the Great Bend City Council for their approval of the City’s share of the costs.
• Advertised and sent letters of interest to engineering firms to identify those who wish to be considered for the design work on the High Risk Rural Roads Project on NW 50 Road and North Washington Avenue. A design firm will be selected within the next few weeks.
• Opened bids and awarded the contract to L&M Contractors for the two concrete drainage boxes that will be constructed on SW 70 Road west of Pawnee Rock.
• The Kansas Department of Transportation conducted a Quality Assurance review of bridge inspections in the county. A KDOT representative reviewed office files and then went with McManaman to various bridges for a field inspection.
County Works Director Darren Williams
• Road and Bridge – Venture Corp mixed 23,000 ton of cold-mix asphalt. Between rain storms, the asphalt crew has blade laying the cold mix in the northeast portion of the county. The dirt crew is repairing and replacing culverts and removing debris from bridges following local flooding.
• Noxious Weed – Personnel are spraying pastures for musk thistle. Other spraying is taking place on township roads and the flood control dike.
• Memorial Parks – Since the first of the year, personnel have marked nine graves and seven headstones.
County Appraiser Barb Esfeld
• The Barton County Appraiser’s Office is in the process of its 17% re-inspection per Kansas statute.
• Esfeld requests anyone with damage to their home due to floodwaters, hail or other catastrophically related situations to contact the office.
Juvenile Service Director Marissa Woodmansee
• Juvenile Intake and Assessment staff completed 18 intakes since June 4.
• Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation and Case Management are currently supervising 27 youth from the 20th Judicial District.
• Bond supervision youth are supervised like Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation youth and currently are at four.
• Truancy Diversion for youth who have truancy issues currently provides services to 21 youth from the district.
• Immediate Intervention has 43 youth currently participating in the program.
• Evidence Based Classes from The Change Company are being taught throughout the Judicial District. Currently 12 youth are participating.
• The Parent Project is getting up and running in the district.
