Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman will retire at the end of the year, prompting the county commission to look for a replacement. At the Nov. 25 meeting, the commission opted to go with an engineering firm and chose Kirkham-Michael.

Kirkman-Michael is a civil engineering firm founded in Omaha, with offices in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The county has used its services in the past. Its base bid was $2,800 per month, compared to $2,580 per month bid by Kaw Valley Engineering. The commissioners did not elaborate on the choice.

County Administrator Matt Patzner presented the options to the commission, saying McManaman’s upcoming retirement led the county to seek applicants for that position and to release a request for qualifications for an engineering firm. Both firms were interviewed after submitting bids.

It was agreed that a 12-month service contract will be drawn up. The proposal calls for the engineering firm to work 12 hours per month at the $2,800 rate and attend at least one county commission meeting per month. After 12 hours, the county will be billed at an hourly rate.

“It’s going to be a new way of doing things,” Patzner acknowledged as Commissioner Duane Reif noted there is a shortage of engineers. Asked if any engineers applied, Patzner replied, “There were no applicants that were more attractive than outsourcing.”

Commissioner Barb Esfeld said the shift to a service contract could save the county money. The commissioners and Patzner voice appreciation for McManaman’s work.

“We’ve really been spoiled for years, having Barry on staff,” Patzner said.

It was noted that McManaman was helpful to the townships as well as the county and he has stepped up many times, including serving as the interim county administrator in the past.

Commission Chair Tricia Schlessiger noted that the help to townships may change in this transition. “The public will need to be a little patient and mindful, because I’m not really sure how some of the things will work with Flood Zone determinations and even township officials,” she said. “We’ll have a little bit of change there.”