Entering the County Commission chambers at the Barton County Courthouse last Tuesday, one was first struck by the fact that almost every chair was filled. The second thing that one noticed was that the chairs were filled with athletic, young men. The Bat Cats baseball team came calling on the County Commissioners.
Following comments on how the Bat Cats are building up our community, not only through their skills on the ball field but also with their commitment to their education, and their help with various organizations involving kids, a proclamation was passed to declare June 25, 2024 as Bats Cat Day.
The Bat Cats include 27 players from Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas as well as Kansas players from the Kansas City area to Hays. Coach Roger Ward told the commissioners how much he enjoyed this year’s group of players.
“Sometimes people come to town that they just don’t jive or the team doesn’t click. It’s not always about the winning and losing, but for me, my whole goal this summer is to enjoy the game of baseball again,” he said. In closing, Ward noted that he encourages his team members to “every chance you get in front of people network, because you never know what it can lead to!” It’s about engaging our kids and opening up opportunities for them.
Other business
Following a photo op with the team and the commissioners, the meeting settled back down to move forward with the agenda. Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste director, reported that she had received quotes to purchase 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel. It was approved to accept the American Plains Co-Op bid for $2.99 per gallon.
Barry McManaman, county engineer, was next on the agenda with a report on the Off-System Bridge No. 189 on NE 20 Avenue, about a mile east of Stone Ridge Golf Course. The bridge over Dry Walnut Creek is too narrow for big trucks and there is a tight curve on the approach.
This bridge has been on the agenda for some time but never made it to the front burner. In 2023, the guidelines for the Off System Bridge Program changed and an application was again made through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Bids were requested but Kirkham Michael was the only firm to respond, agreeing to submit three design options for the commissioners to choose from. This agreement for design services was accepted for $74,000.
Patrick Hoffman, county counselor, presented an extension of the 2021 contract for Wendy Prosser, county appraiser. In 2021, she was offered an employment agreement that ended in 2024. However, state law calls for four-year teams. The employment agreement was extended to June 30, 2025, thus coinciding with the statutory end date of her current four-year term.
The commission also voted to continue the county membership with Great Plains Development Inc. to stimulate economic development in our area.
Story and photo by Becky Gillette, Great Bend Tribune
