The Barton County Commissioners renewed memberships on Tuesday in various regional, state and national organizations, while choosing not to join the League of Kansas Municipalities.
County Administrator Matt Patzner described the purpose of the groups. The County has not been a member of the League of Kansas Municipalities since 2015. The commissioners agreed this group represents municipalities in Topeka and several area towns are members. There was no motion to rejoin at the county level.
As for the other memberships:
• The National Association of Counties membership for 2026 is $510.
• Kansas Association of Counties dues are $6,577.84, up about $15 from last year.
• Kansas Legislative Policy Group membership is $6,273.67. This is an increase of $1,368.70. Patzner said no explanation was given for the increase. However, commissioner Barb Esfeld sits on the board and said it was to give the attorneys who serve the group a pay increase. “(They) have been working for about the last 20 years with no increase in pay.”
• Kansas Natural Resource Coalition membership is $5,000, unchanged from 2025.
Designation of depositories
The commission approved a resolution naming the following as official depositories for county funds:
• BMO, Great Bend
• Bank of the Plains, Great Bend
• Central National Bank, Great Bend
• Equity Bank, Great Bend
• Farmers Bank and Trust, Albert / Great Bend
• First Kansas Bank, Great Bend / Hoisington / Claflin
• Landmark National Bank, Hoisington / Great Bend
• Peoples Bank & Trust, Great Bend / Ellinwood
• Wilson State Bank, Hoisington
• Municipal Investment Pool
County Treasurer Jim Jordan said official depositories must meet the 100% pledged securities requirement for all county funds and must provide proof of security for the funds whenever requested by the treasurer.
Other business
The commission accepted the resignation of Beaver Township board member Jennifer Steinert, effective Dec. 31, 2025, noting she has moved out of the township. Brian Miller was appointed to the position, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The commission voted to extend the contract agreement with Elle Hutchinson to serve as a media consultant, working up to 20 hours a week for $720 a week. Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson, father of Elle, recused himself from the discussion and did not vote.
County Clerk Bev Schmeidler presented the latest batch of added/abated/escaped/refunded taxes for approval. This batch totals $120,040 based on 40 records. Most were from oil, personal property, real estate and trucks.
Commission Chair Tricia Schlessiger said this was most likely her last meeting as the chair. The 2026 organization meeting of the commission will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the courthouse and will include election of a chair. This is a departure from the usual Tuesday meeting date. State statute requires the organizational meeting take place on the second Monday of the month.
