It had been over two months since Second District Barton County Commissioner Homer Kruckenberg had taken his seat in the commission chambers. That changed Monday morning.

“I’m back,” Kruckenberg said. Clad in a blue T-shirt with his right arm in a sling, he walked into the courthouse conference room with the assistance of a caregiver.

“You look great,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said.

He arrived just after the governing body’s agenda meeting had adjourned. But, he was there for hectic day of budget meetings with county departments and outside agencies that receive county funds.

Kruckenberg didn’t miss much when he skipped the earlier meeting. The only agenda item was an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation that provides additional federal reimbursement money to repair flood damaged roads and bridges.

“It was a light agenda,” Schartz said. “But, we have a busy, busy day in front of us.”

After the agenda meeting, the commission held 2019 budget meetings with various departments and agencies. Included were Public Health, County Attorney, Fire District No. 1, Ambulance Services, County Engineer, The Center, Barton County Historical Society, Conservation District, Golden Belt Humane Society and District Court.

Last week, the commission held budget meetings with: SDSI, Sunflower Diversified Services, Great Plains Development, County Treasurer, RSVP, and Sheriff’s Office and related departments.  

Kruckenberg broke his shoulder in April at his home. He has since been recuperating at Cherry Village in Great Bend since where he has received rehabilitation therapy.

He last attended a meeting in early April. However, he said Monday he was ready to jump back in to the fray.