Barton County Commission Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
Commission approves purchase of used mowing tractor
New flex-wing mowers approved for Road and Bridge Department
County mowing crews praised following heavy spring rains
Barton County Bat Cats advance to National Baseball Congress World Series
Bat Cats recognized for community volunteer work
High turnout reported at League of Women Voters candidate forum
Golden Belt Humane Society to hold board meeting at local fitness center
Commission approves purchase of used mowing tractor
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved the purchase of a used 2024 John Deere 6155M tractor from Bucklin Tractor & Implement (BTI) for the Road and Bridge Department. The reported purchase price is $114,000, which includes a $43,000 trade-in value for a 2016 Case IH tractor with nearly 7,000 hours of use. County works director Chris Schartz noted that a new tractor would have cost $131,746.99 with the trade-in. The used model, which has 211 hours from a previous lease by the city of Ellinwood, provides a nearly new warranty at a stated lower cost to taxpayers.
New flex-wing mowers approved for Road and Bridge Department
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — In a move to consolidate equipment, the commission approved the purchase of two new 2026 John Deere FC15R flex-wing mowers from Bucklin Tractor & Implement (BTI). The stated transaction includes a purchase price of $29,786.10 and the $42,000 trade-in of three used 2022 Land Pride rotary mowers. County works director Chris Schartz explained that the county currently has four mowers but only needs three due to current staffing levels, adding that updating the heavily worn ditch mowers now maximizes their trade-in value before their warranties expire.
[FLAG FOR REVIEW: The listed $42,000 trade-in value exceeds the $29,786.10 purchase price, meaning the county would net money on the transaction. These specific BTI financial figures must be verified against the official county clerk's ledger prior to publication to address logic errors and mitigate libel risk.]
County mowing crews praised following heavy spring rains
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — The Road and Bridge Department received praise from neighboring counties for its diligent ditch-mowing efforts following heavy rains that spurred rapid grass growth. County works director Chris Schartz reported that crews are preparing to begin their third pass around the county's 389 miles of roadways. The mowing crews were commended during the meeting for keeping intersections and ditches clear, which greatly improves visibility and safety for drivers.
Barton County Bat Cats advance to National Baseball Congress World Series
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — The Barton County Bat Cats have advanced to the National Baseball Congress World Series, making their fifth appearance in the tournament since 2016. It was announced at the meeting that the team secured their spot Sunday morning after a tense weekend of play. The Bat Cats will play their first game of the tournament on Friday at 6 p.m. at Eck Stadium in Wichita against the Santa Barbara Foresters. This will be followed by a second game Sunday at 6 a.m., which is part of the tournament's traditional "Baseball 'Round the Clock" marathon featuring 11 continuous games played over a 33-hour period.
Bat Cats recognized for community volunteer work
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — In addition to their on-field success, the Barton County Bat Cats were praised for their extensive volunteer work throughout Great Bend this summer. It was noted during the meeting that the players frequently assist with local events, including setting up chairs in the downtown area and helping with local golf tournaments, bringing both economic and civic benefits to the area.
High turnout reported at League of Women Voters candidate forum
GREAT BEND, Kan. — A League of Women Voters candidate forum held Monday night at the Great Bend Events Center drew an unexpectedly large crowd, signaling strong voter interest ahead of the upcoming elections. The forum addressed contested County Commission and State House Representative races. It was noted during the meeting that organizers had set up 90 chairs for the event, but the turnout resulted in a standing-room-only crowd. Officials expressed pleasant surprise at the high level of community engagement in the local political process.
Golden Belt Humane Society to hold board meeting at local fitness center
GREAT BEND, Kan. — Community members are invited to attend the Golden Belt Humane Society board meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. The meeting is set to take place at Inspire Fitness in Great Bend. Public attendance was encouraged during the meeting, extending an open invitation to anyone interested in the organization's local animal welfare efforts.
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