Barton County lifts temporary burn ban following weekend rainfall

Commissioners appointed to joint Great Bend city-county committee

Commissioners plan to draft custom property tax relief bill

State law shift could impact local vehicle registration fees

Commissioners voice concerns over state attempts to erode local control

Barton County eyes hosting future Kansas Association of Counties conference

Midwest Energy to begin pipeline replacement in Barton County

Child care center in Ellinwood completes five-year expansion

County youth delegation approved for Orlando conference

Barton County lifts temporary burn ban following weekend rainfall

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Following recent weekend rainfall across the region, the Barton County Commission voted unanimously to lift the countywide temporary burn ban. The ban, initially established on March 31 due to dry weather conditions, was removed after local fire chiefs recommended the reversal. While residents can resume burning, officials still urge the public to exercise extreme caution when conducting agricultural or brush burns.

Commissioners appointed to joint Great Bend city-county committee

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Barton County commissioners were unanimously appointed to serve on a newly created joint committee with the Great Bend City Council. The committee, which also includes the Great Bend mayor and members of the city council, was formed following an April 15 meeting to discuss shared solutions to governmental challenges and foster better collaboration between the two local governments.

Commissioners plan to draft custom property tax relief bill

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Frustrated by partisan gridlock in Topeka, the Barton County Commission announced plans to draft its own property tax relief bill to present to the state legislature next year. Reporting on the recent Kansas Association of Counties conference, officials noted that personality conflicts killed several promising state tax bills this session. By drafting the legislation locally over the summer, commissioners hope to bypass partisan politics and secure support from local representatives for meaningful property tax reductions.

State law shift could impact local vehicle registration fees

GREAT BEND, Kan. - A recent state legislative change will alter how vehicle registration transaction fees are collected, shifting a current $2.50 county facility fee to a $5 state-mandated fee. The county treasurer's office informed the commission that the new law allows counties to eventually charge up to $10 per transaction if needed to cover office expenses. Officials noted that shifting the financial burden to actual users of the treasurer's office, rather than funding operations solely through general property taxes, creates a fairer, consumption-based model for taxpayers.

Commissioners voice concerns over state attempts to erode local control

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Barton County officials expressed deep concern over recent legislative discussions in Topeka aimed at eroding local government control, including proposals to privatize county treasurer offices or make local appraisers state employees. Following the Kansas Association of Counties conference, the commission warned that such moves would drastically reduce local accountability and force taxpayers to navigate state bureaucracies rather than dealing with accessible, locally elected officials.

Barton County eyes hosting future Kansas Association of Counties conference

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Following a successful 50th-anniversary Kansas Association of Counties conference in Hutchinson, Barton County commissioners expressed a strong desire to bid for hosting duties in the near future. Officials noted that Great Bend's central location makes it an ideal venue for the statewide gathering of county leaders. The commission plans to formally submit its name for consideration once ongoing local hotel and convention infrastructure projects are completed.

Midwest Energy to begin pipeline replacement in Barton County

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Midwest Energy plans to begin a major gas line reconstruction project in Barton County next week, replacing more than 45 miles of pipe from Otis to the Ellsworth County line. Midwest Energy officials informed the commission that the company will submit utility crossing requests to the county engineer for official approval on all affected township and county blacktop roads. The project is expected to update related local infrastructure to modern standards.

Child care center in Ellinwood completes five-year expansion

ELLINWOOD, Kan. - After five years of planning and construction, St. John's Child Development Center in Ellinwood will host an open house Thursday to unveil two new, spacious preschool classrooms. The commission praised the long-awaited project, noting the facility secured various tax credits and grants to complete the expansion. Pending final fire marshal approval, the new rooms will soon open to provide much-needed space for Ellinwood's only operating daycare facility.

County youth delegation approved for Orlando conference

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The commission unanimously approved out-of-state travel for Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee to accompany four local students to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America midyear forum in Orlando, Florida, this July. The students were selected from a pool of applicants based on their tenure with the Youth Crew prevention program. The trip is fully funded by the federal Drug-Free Communities Grant and utilizes no county property tax dollars.

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