Commission approves expansion of Fire District No. 2

Flat state funding creates "near crisis" for community corrections

Juvenile services submits FY27 plan, warns of legislative threat

New stop signs approved for dangerous rural intersection

Commission approves expansion of Fire District No. 2

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Barton County Commission unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to expand Fire District No. 2 to include Fairview, Grant and Wheatland townships, as well as the city of Galatia. The expansion, driven by a need for better fire department coverage and personnel management, was formally requested by the affected governing bodies. Existing fire stations in Galatia, Olmitz and Hoisington will remain open, with Hoisington acting as the primary base and assistant chiefs stationed at the rural locations.

Flat state funding creates "near crisis" for community corrections

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Brooke Haulmark detailed a severe state funding disparity that is pushing the department toward a crisis. While presenting a flat fiscal year 2027 budget of $808,438.94 to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Haulmark said her four intensive supervision officers handle an average of 60 high-risk felony inmates each across Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties, forcing them to cut office visits to just 15 minutes. According to figures discussed during the presentation, the district receives roughly $3,400 per inmate from the state, while other Kansas districts allegedly receive up to $10,000 per inmate to do the same job, a flat-funding situation amid high inflation that department officials noted equates to a budget cut threatening public safety.

Juvenile services submits FY27 plan, warns of legislative threat

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee secured unanimous approval for the agency's fiscal year 2027 comprehensive plan and block grant funding submission to the Kansas Department of Corrections. While highlighting the success of local intake assessments and evidence-based programs that keep youths out of the system, Woodmansee warned about House Bill 2329 currently moving through the state legislature. She said the bill could reallocate vital district evidence-based program funds to out-of-home placements for crossover youth, a move she argued would severely hinder Barton County's ability to keep at-risk youth engaged in preventative, local programming.

New stop signs approved for dangerous rural intersection

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Following a recent traffic accident, the commission unanimously approved a resolution to install stop signs at the intersection of Northeast 220 Road and Northeast 10th Avenue. A contracted engineer from Kirkham Michael working with the county, Josh Beckman, recommended the signage to stop north- and southbound traffic on Northeast 10th Avenue. Beckman said the rural, gravel-road intersection currently lacks signage and features significant sight obstructions, including a cemetery, trees and dipping terrain in the southwest quadrant that hides approaching vehicles.

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