• Approved the 2019 county audit report.
Melissa Ille of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball presented the report, noting it was a clean audit. It covered the financial condition of Barton County from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2019.
• Approved a lease renewal between J-Kat Corporation and the Barton County Commission for use of the drive-through facility at 2223 Broadway.
On Wednesday, March 18, Chairman Kenny Schremmer signed a six-month lease agreement with J-Kat Corporation. Monday, the commission OKed exercising the option to renew the lease for an additional six months, until March 31, 2021.
Currently the Barton County Treasurer’s Office utilizes the office and three drive-through lanes at 2223 Broadway for tag and tax services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
Noting it had been a blessing for residents conducting business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved renewing the lease between the county and J-Kat Corporation for use of the drive-through facility at 2223 Broadway, the old bank building used by the Treasurer’s Office.
On Wednesday, March 18, Chairman Kenny Schremmer signed a six-month lease agreement with J-Kat Corporation. Now, the lease runs through March 2021.
“I think all of us are in agreement it should be leased for another six months,” said County Administrator Phil Hathcock. “COVID is still haunting us.”
Cost of the lease was $1,500 for first month, and at $3,000 per month since. The $3,000 rate will continue with the extension.
“I think its a good deal,” Hatchcock said. Currently the Barton County Treasurer’s Office for tag and tax services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but other departments could find uses as well.
The county’s share of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funding will cover the entire cost of the lease, he said. The State of Kansas Finance Council approved last month the SPARK Taskforce’s proposal to distribute $5,268,052 to Barton County to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.
The funding level was determined by Barton County’s population and impact from COVID-19. The was distributed among the cities and school districts in the county, with a portion going to the county itself.
Funneled through the state, this federal funding is part of $400 million being distributed statewide in round-one Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) relief.
Jim Jordan, County Treasurer, said the Treasurer’s Office, with the help of Emergency Management Director Amy Miller, had taken a proactive approach and entered into lease to provide services at the facility.
The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is also a night depository box so work can be dropped off to be worked the following day.
