Barton County Commissioners Monday spent a good deal of time reviewing their experience at last week’s Kansas Association of County’s Conference in Overland Park.

Commissioner Jennifer Schartz mentioned one of the sessions she attended concerned property taxes levied in counties that had community colleges located there. While saying she understands how important those colleges are to their communities, she also expressed the frustrations that many taxpayers have in those counties about having to foot the bill.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

Alicia Straub also attended that session and says in-county and out-of-county tuition rates was another topic of discussion.

Alicia Straub Audio

According to the Barton Community College web-site, in-state tuition to attend Barton is $112 per credit hour, the same rate as out-of-state tuition. Barton County residents do receive a $7 per credit hour scholarship for on campus classes but online classes are excluded.

International student tuition is $195, BARTonline classes and EDUKAN classes are $150 per credit hour.

According to the 2017 Real and Personal Property Value and Tax Summary for Barton County, 19% of all tax dollars distributed to taxing districts went to Barton Community College.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free Stop ‘N Learn Session titled “How Property Values Are Determined and How to Read a Tax Bill” on Wednesday, October 24th, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th Street in Great Bend.

If you have ever wondered how the county determines your property value, you will be able learn how property values are arrived at. Barton County Appriaser Barb Esfeld and Deputy Appraiser Wendy Prosser will be the presenters for this program.

Barb Esfeld Audio

Esfeld and Prosser will also discuss how the appeal process works and other valuable information about property values such as how to read a tax bill.

For more information about this program and other programs the Great Bend Rec offers, please go to their web site at www.greatbendrec.com or call the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755 ext. 110.

Due to a water main break near Washington Early Education Center that is affecting water flow in the building, the afternoon session at Helping Hands Preschool has been canceled for today only.

The City of Hoisington found out they did not receive a $25,000 grant from PetSafe to help construct a dog park, but that has not stopped the push to raise money. Karla Crissman from Clara Barton Hospital has continued to find grant opportunities that would help Hoisington install the dog park at Bicentennial Park.

Hoisington Code Enforcement Officer Dolores Kipper says the City would like add the feature to the community.

Dolores Kipper Audio

Hoisington hosted a “Pooch Plunge” where dogs swam in the city pool before it closed with the money raised going towards the dog park fund. Kipper also noted receiving a contribution in the mail for the dog park. The initial goal was to raise $50,000, but Kipper believes they can get the project completed for less.

The park itself will be 150 feet by 200 feet with a chain link fence dividing the park for bigger and smaller dogs.

WICHITA– The Sheriff of Ness County pleaded guilty Monday to a federal firearm charge and agreed to resign, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Sheriff Bryan Whipple, 48, Ness City, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly selling a gun to a person who was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm. In his plea, Whipple admitted he arranged to sell a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew was a convicted felon.

The plea agreement calls for Whipple to resign his position as sheriff and to surrender his law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training. Both parties will recommend Whipple be sentenced to probation. Sentencing is set for Jan. 17.

Barton County Commissioners Monday voted 4-0 to offer a requested letter of support to Sunflower Diversified Services as they seek a Kansas Department of Transportation grant to operate the General Transportation System. Jon Prescott serves as Executive Director of Sunflower.

Jon Prescott Audio

According to Sunflower Transportation Manager Steve Long, the K-DOT grants are a huge part of funding for the transportation services that are provided in Barton, Rice, Rush, Stafford, and Pawnee County.

Steve Long Audio

The cost to utilize the ride service is $2.00 per one way trip or advance ticket purchase of 20 trips for $40. Buses run Monday thru Friday from 5:30am to 10:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.