KINGMAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Saturday in Kingman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Isaiah M. Bramwell, 20, Lyons, was southbound on Kansas 11 one quarter mile north of NW 10 Avenue near Kingman

The pickup left the roadway to the east, struck a field access road and rolled.

Bramwell was transported to Kingman Community Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting
Monday, May 7, 2018  9:00 a.m. Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider Minutes of the Monday, April 23, 2018, Regular Meeting.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of April 16, 2018, and ending April 30, 2018.

III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

IV. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.

B. INTERSECTION OF NORTH WASHINGTON AVENUE AND NORTH 30 ROAD:
-As the result of an accident at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and North 30 Road, the Commission requested that County staff research potential safety improvements. Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details.

C. PROCLAMATION 2018-09: National Bike Month – May, 2018:
-The bicycle is an economical, healthy, convenient, and environmentally sound
form of transportation and an excellent tool for recreation and enjoyment of
Barton County’s scenic beauty. Throughout the month of May, the residents of
Barton County and its visitors can experience the joys of bicycling through
educational programs, races, commuting events, charity events, or by simply
getting out and going for a ride. One upcoming local biking event, the Great,
Great Bend Summer Bike Caper, has been planned by the Be Well Barton
County Committee. Janel Rose, Committee Member, has been asked to
present the Proclamation that names May 2018 as National Bike Month.

D. PROCLAMATION 2018-10: Mental Health Awareness Month – May, 2018:
-Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall well-being. This year’s national
Mental Health Awareness theme is “Whole Body Mental Health.” The proposed
Proclamation, declaring May, 2018, as Mental Health Awareness Month, states
that with appropriate resources, treatment and support, people with mental
health concerns are able to improve their well-being and quality of life. Julie
Kramp, Executive Director, The Center, will provide details.

E. SOLID WASTE: Annual Review of the Solid Waste Management Plan:
-Per KSA 65-3405, Barton County is required to form and maintain a Solid Waste
Planning Committee to develop and perform an annual review of the Solid
Waste Management Plan, which is then approved by the Commission. As the
Solid Waste Management Plan had a comprehensive review last year, it is
recommended that no changes be made at this time. Phil Hathcock, County
Administrator, will discuss details.

F. TREASURER’S OFFICE: Office Improvement:
-At less than 100 square feet, the interior office space used by the County
Treasurer is inadequate for his current needs. Bids were received to move two
walls to expand the office space, upgrade the electrical and install LED lighting.
Thomas Quality Homes provided the lowest bid of $13,743.80. Mr. Hathcock will
discuss details.

G. 2018 TAX SALE: Filing:
-On April 23, 2018, the 2018 Tax Sale petition was filed with the Clerk of the
District Court. Subsequent to the filing, the County will send each party to the
sale a summons, a copy of the petition and the corresponding limited
Certificate of Title by certified mail. To avoid having a property sold at auction,
taxpayers must pay all taxes from, generally, 2014 forward and a redemption
fee of $186.00. Jim Jordan, County Treasurer, will detail the process.

H. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Kansas County Commissioners Association Annual
Conference:
-The Kansas County Commissioners Association (KCCA) held their annual
conference in Wichita beginning May 1, 2018. The conference, entitled Point.
Counterpoint., included such topics as the obligations of elected officials,
immigration issues, taxation, cybersecurity and executive sessions. Barb Esfeld,
County Appraiser, participated on a panel dealing with property appraisals.
There was also a legislative update. The Commissioners will discuss the
conference.

V. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following
items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the
authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any
documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other
documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take
place throughout the day.

B. APPOINTMENTS:
10:00 a.m. or close of the Agenda Meeting – Department Head Meeting with
the Commissioners. Department Head meetings are held in the Courthouse
Conference Room, Room 101. After the Department Head meeting is closed,
the Commission will return to their Chambers.
11:00 a.m. – Rabies Discussion – Shelly Schneider, Health Department
11:30 a.m. – Anti-Ransomeware Software – John Debes, Information Technology
Director
1:00 p.m. – Program Update – Cottonwood Extension District
1:30 p.m. – Replacement of Vehicle – Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services
Director
2:00 p.m. – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman,
County Clerk

THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Phil Hathcock,
County Administrator, is scheduled for May 10, 2018.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial
consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular
business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments
related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 14, 2018.

VII. ADJOURN.

The Commission on Aging and the City of Hoisington offer a trolley service for rides to anywhere within the City limits of Hoisington. The service has been around for a long time helping citizens get to places they need or want to go.

The suggested donation of 25 cents per person on each ride does not pull in much funding for the service, but that is where the United Way of Central Kansas comes in according to Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell.

Jonathan Mitchell Audio

The Commission on Aging is one of the 23 agencies receiving funding from the United Way of Central Kansas.

The trolley runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be booked by calling 620-653-2555. The trolley is available for everyone but does operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Budget talk is starting to rev up for the City of Great Bend, as the Great Bend City Council will discuss the 2019 budget calendar at the Monday, May 7th meeting.

Last year’s budget approved a three mill increase to finance the employee additions, two for the Great Bend Police Department and one for the Great Bend Fire Department.

Interim City Administrator George Kolb says the 2019 budget will be different in the fact that it will be the first year the State of Kansas will impose a lid on property taxes.

George Kolb Audio

Kolb would like to see the development of the budget modified this year when it comes to funding departments and projects. Kolb would like more input on the needs and wants from departments and the community.

George Kolb Audio

Whether it is recreation improvement, street repairs, or storm water management, Kolb would like to see more planning for the future to determine where capital improvement funding might go.

By law, Great Bend has to have a budget set by the middle of August, but Kolb hopes to have everything sorted out by the end of July.

The meeting is starting at a different time Monday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Great Bend City Council will test drive a new start time for Monday’s meeting at City Hall. Instead of the 7:30 p.m. start time, the May 7^th meeting will be moved up an hour earlier to 6:30 p.m.

Interim City Administrator George Kolb says since arriving to Great Bend in October he has heard from a few council members and staff members that 7:30 is a little late for starting a meeting.

George Kolb Audio

Kolb says it would be a simple ordinance change that the City Council could vote on to change the time if the board likes the earlier start time.

A special City Council meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday afternoon to hear a report from the compensation study performed by Arthur J. Gallager on the City. The meeting will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. regular agenda.

If you see a lot of activity from Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders Saturday at Barton Community College, just remember it’s only a drill. The 2018 EMS Field Ops Day takes place Saturday in and around the Barton campus. The 9th annual event gives Emergency Medical Services students along with students from various related programs an opportunity to practice operational procedures in lifelike emergency scenarios.

Jennifer Ladd Audio

That’s Barton EMS Programming Specialist Jennifer Ladd who says that there will be 70 different scenarios that these emergency responders will be dealing with on Saturday. Students from the Criminal Justice, Medical Assistant, Nursing and EMS programs will participate with the assistance of many local EMS agencies.

Jennifer Ladd Audio

Past scenarios have ranged from a rollover accident to heart attacks, parking lot fights and welding equipment explosions. Most of the scenarios are set up so a patient is transported from the scene to a mock emergency room, which is populated by nursing and medical assistant students.

Patients and suspects could also be questioned or detained by the Criminal Justice students throughout the scenarios depending on circumstances. The experience is designed to be all-encompassing.

Field Ops Day takes place from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday on the Barton Campus.

The agricultural economics department at Kansas State University has just come out with its annual Kansas agricultural land values report, which utilizes actual land sales data and USDA survey numbers to estimate price trends for cropland and pasture. And not surprisingly, the report shows that those land values continue to slide. As explained by K-State agricultural economist Mykel Taylor, the struggling farm economy is dragging land prices down.

Mykel Taylor Audio

This report provides county-level land value estimates, so there are definite variations from county to county. But here’s what the general statewide numbers for 2017 have to say.

Mykel Taylor Audio

And, says Taylor, the reality is that the downturn in agricultural land values will end only when there’s clear and lasting improvement in farm income.

The entire report, “2017 Kansas County-Level Land Values for Cropland and Pasture”, can now be found at www.agmanager.info.

Signs were posted this week with alternative routes designed for motorists trying to access Veterans Memorial Park along 17^th Street Terrace.

In March, the City of Great Bend approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Company, and the State of Kansas to install a new crossing signal with gates at the railroad crossing on 17^th Street Terrace.

Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes says anyone trying to access Vet’s Park will have to find a different entry.

Christina Hayes Audio

The project is expected to last a week. KDOT receives federal funding to make upgrades to railroad crossings throughout the state. The City has to maintain the pavement markings and signage for the crossing.

BOOKED: Eric Peters of Olmitz on Barton County District Court case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and felony obstruction with a bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Joel A. Davis on Reno County District Court warrant for probation violation with a bond of $3,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Alexis Cruz of Garden City on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

BOOKED: Chasity Chaney of Ellinwood for Great Bend Municipal Court case for contempt of court, no bond.

BOOKED: Randy Chambers of Hoisington on HPD case for possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespass, bond set in the amount of $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Trisha Buresh of Great Bend on BTDC case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Sebastion Smith of Great Bend on BTDC case for interference with LEO, criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Jeffrey Martin of Mount Nebo, WV on Nicholas County, WV warrant. Released to Nicholas County, WV.

RELEASED: Eric Peters of Olmitz on BCDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and felony obstruction after posting a $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Gerald Martin of Great Bend on GBMC case for failure to appear, posted bond amount of $2,000 through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Douglas Meredith of Claflin on a BCDC serve sentence. Posted $108.50 cash bond through Ellinwood Municipal warrant for contempt of court.