Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Held a public hearing over amending the 2020 county operating budget covering the General Fund and Road and Bridge Fund.
• Approved county budget amendments for the General Fund and Road and Bridge Fund.
• Approved cereal-malt beverage license renewals for 2021.
No retailer shall sell any cereal malt beverage without having secured a license for that business. When a business is located in the unincorporated portion of the county, that application requires commission approval.
• Approved contracting with AdamsBrown LLC for the county’s auditing services.
In September, 2018, the commission accepted a proposal from Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball. The firm has since become AdamsBrown LLC. So, the commission had to approve an engagement letter that confirms the name change.
• Approved a change to the Healthy Community Initiative Improving Health Equity in Kansas Grant Purchasing Plan which was OKed by the commission on Oct. 26.
It was later determined that the $1,266 awarded to the City of Ellinwood should have been provided to the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce to support the 2020 After Harvest Festival, Grant Coordinator Sue Cooper said.
• Approved a revised radio tower lease agreement with MRT Communications, a Barton County Motorola dealer.
On Oct. 12, the commission approved a five-year lease, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Since that time, MRT Communications has determined it will build and place the county’s equipment on a new tower at the same site, 168 South 281 Highway, Great Bend. The updated five-year lease requires an annual payment of $6,300, which can be paid from the 911 Tax Fund.
Following a public hearing on the matter, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved amendments to the county’s 2020 operating budget. The changes included the General Fund and Road and Bridge Fund.
“Despite the efforts of elected officials and department heads, budget estimates must be adjusted so that funds fall within budgetary laws,” Finance Officer Matt Patzner said. The hearing was scheduled to receive comments regarding the change, but there were none.
Amending the General Fund budget will increase budget authority by $1 million, Patzner said. “This is to allow for the transfer of unanticipated revenue into reserve funds for future projects if it is deemed practical and necessary.”
According to Patzner, the additional revenue came from Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas funding from the State of Kansas. The SPARK program is a component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
Amending the Road and Bridge budget will increase budget authority by $550,000 to cover additional purchases of aggregates and other consumable goods that are necessary for operations, he said. It will also cover future road overlay projects that will be funded by Federal Funds Exchange money and other unanticipated revenue.
Again, this is due to unanticipated revenue, Patzner said. It comes from federal aid, including from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and state sources.
“This is a positive thing, here,” commission Chair Jennifer Schartz said. Extra revenue is a good thing and can help the county’s taxpayers.
Patzner agreed. “It leaves more options on the table when we transfer funds next year.”
