This week’s Barton County Commission meeting included a change to a Facade Improvement Grant, appointments, and approval of cereal malt beverage licenses. It was also announced that there will be no commission meeting on Dec. 23.
County Administrator Matt Patzner provided details on the Claflin Main Street Corridor Project, which was supported with a facade improvement grant from the county that was matched by the City of Claflin. The project includes Claflin businesses Bailey’s Food Bin Inc.; Cheyenne Bottoms Armory LLC; Vickie Oeser, Quilting by Vickie; and CiJi Folk, Squeegy’s Bar and Grill. Earlier this year, Claflin and Barton County approved the $42,938 project, which included a $10,734 match by the applicants, equaling 25% of the project. The project experienced an overage of $1,965. At Tuesday’s meeting, the commission voted to cover that overage, with the City of Claflin reimbursing the County $16,102 for the completed project.
Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger noted that the project still came in below the cap of what could have been requested.
“That corridor was very impactful. What they’ve done in Claflin lately, it’s very cool to see how it all came together at the corner of their Main Street.”
The commissioners mentioned that Claflin now has a new business, The Book Cellar, a combination bookstore and retail liquor store, at 221 Main St.
Two appointments
The commission appointed Brooke Haulmark to an uncompensated term on the Central Kansas Library System board. Her term expires in May of 2029. CKLS serves 17 counties. The board meets twice a year to conduct business and approve the budget. The county appointee must be a resident of the CKLS taxing district – within Barton County but outside the district of any legally established public library.
Sean Kelly, director of Emergency Management, was appointed to a two-year term on the South Central Regional Council for Homeland Security. The council supports statewide all-hazard preparedness while reducing vulnerabilities. The council works to accomplish this by developing strategies in partnership with other governmental agencies and the private sector.
CMB licenses
Cereal Malt Beverage licenses were approved for these businesses in the unincorporated portion of the county:
• Odin Store
• Odin Community Club
• Lake Barton Golf Course
• Miller Time LLC
Other business
Commissioners Tricia Schlessiger and Duane Reif reported on their attendance last week at the Kansas Association of Counties conference. They also approved 27 items on a list of added/abated/escaped/refunded taxes, requested by the County Appraiser’s Office and presented by County Clerk Bev Schmeidler. This batch represented about $84,350 from oil, real estate, personal property and other taxes.
Holiday closings
There will be no Barton County Commission meeting on Dec. 23. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 at the courthouse.
Barton County office buildings will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24-25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. The Barton County Health Department, the Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office, and the Landfill will also be closed during this time. Emergency services will be in normal operation.
