Barton County

The meeting included opening business where the agenda was approved, and minutes from previous meetings were approved. New business covered several items. The Commission accepted the 2025 Inventory Listing as presented by the County Clerk and IT Director. The Sheriff's Office received approval to purchase four fleet vehicles (three 2023 and one 2022 Dodge Durango Pursuits AWD) from the Kansas Highway Patrol, utilizing prior year savings and current budget funds. The Sheriff also provided an update on plumbing issues and mentioned efforts to acquire and display the model 1860 Colt revolver belonging to the first Barton County Sheriff. The County Administrator presented the one-year renewal for county website hosting through FES/SOCS. Furthermore, the Commission authorized the release of certain passive liens filed in favor of Barton County related to the closed CDBG Grant No. 94-HR-196. No executive session was held during the regular meeting portion. The meeting concluded with announcements, appointments, and adjournment.

The meeting addressed several appropriation approvals. The first involved approving the 13th Month -- 3rd Batch appropriations for the period ending December 31, 2025. The second appropriation approval covered the period from January 27, 2026, to February 10, 2026. Under New Business, the Commission approved the Listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes, with discussion focusing on eliminating the backlog related to oil exemptions. No Executive Session was held.

The meeting addressed plumbing issues at the Detention Facility following the failure of a newly installed water softener, which resulted in resin beads spreading throughout the pipes. The Sheriff provided an update on the ongoing efforts by plumbers to resolve the situation without needing to reduce the jail population.

The meeting covered several new business items, including the adoption of Resolution 2026-03 to expand Fire District No. 2 to include Fairview, Grant, and Wheatland Townships, and the City of Galatia, which will necessitate a public hearing on February 24, 2026. Following the resolution, the commission reappointed Curtis Peterson to the Board of Trustees for Fire District No. 2, representing the City of Olmitz. The County Attorney presented the 2025 Action Report, noting an uptick in criminal case filings since 2018, and discussed challenges related to the statewide attorney shortage affecting case resolutions. The Emergency Management Director presented on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the commission approved the January 15, 2026, membership list, directing that it be forwarded to state agencies. In ending business, announcements were made, including a commissioner's upcoming absence due to legislative issues.

The meeting addressed several key items including the approval of the 13th Month appropriations for expenditures ending December 31, 2025, and the regular appropriations for the period of January 1, 2026, through January 13, 2026. New business included the election of the 2026 Chairman, Duane Reif, and Chairman Pro Tem, Donna Zimmerman. Resolutions were adopted designating The Tribune as the official County newspaper (Resolution 2026-01) and requesting a waiver under K.S.A. 75-1120a regarding financial statement preparation (Resolution 2026-02). The Commission also approved the reappointment of Tammy Sturn to The Center for Counseling and Consultation Governing Board. Furthermore, the bid for bulk mailing of 2026 real estate valuation notices was awarded to Peregrine Services Inc. Approval was granted for the subscription renewal for the KS Nightingale Notes EMR system from Champ Software. Finally, an Agreement, Easement, and Consent was authorized for Rugan 3 Farms concerning a septic system placement near a county property line.