A Hudson Oaks, Texas, high-speed internet provider is expanding its coverage footprint in Kansas, including Barton County, Environmental Manager Judy Goreham told the County Commission Monday morning. The commission approved a conditional land use permit allowing AMG Technology Investment Group (Nextlink) to construct a new tower north of Pawnee Rock.
“They are making a big surge to get internet into Barton County,” she said. She noted this was high-speed service for underserved areas.
Goreham’s office received an application from Nextlink to build the 120-foot monopole-type telecommunications tower on a parcel of land owned by Michael Huddleston, located approximately three miles north of Pawnee Rock. Planted deeply in concrete without guy wires, the structure will more closely resemble a tall light pole than the conventional lattice-work tower.
Since it is shorter than 200 feet, it doesn’t require and lighting at its peak.
A virtual public hearing was held on Dec. 8 by the Barton County Planning Commission to consider the matter, and there were no objections. The commission unanimously recommended that County Commissioners approve the request, Goreham said.
This is the first of five towers Nextlink will ask for to provide even countywide coverage, she said, adding they also utilize grain elevators and other structures. The company’s signal is beamed to some “powerful equipment” attached to a taller existing tower north of Great Bend, and then out from there to the other receivers.
In October, the company received $1.3 million for internet buildout from the $50 million in Connectivity Emergency Response Grant funds approved by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly as part of the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the federal CARES Act. The money, which the company matched, is being used to reach underserved communities across Kansas.
Goreham said Nextlink is working with school districts in Barton and Pawnee County. “They want to get better internet to rural residents with more students learning at home due to the pandemic,” she said.
Commissioners asked if the company was compensating landowners to use their property. Goreham said Nextlink is providing free internet to them (which it values at $120 per month), but beyond that she didn’t know.
More may come out following a second public hearing on the second tower in January.
Goreham said the company is competing with existing providers. But, she stressed that Nextlink isn’t going to be in the cell phone business.
Nextlink is an internet service provider delivering high-speed internet and voice services throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska to residential, business, K-12, higher learning, and governmental agencies.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• OKed a resolution for approving a conditional land use permit.
Environmental Management received an application from Texas company AMG Technology Investment Group (Nextlink) for the construction of a 120-foot monopole-type telecommunications tower on a parcel of land owned by Michael Huddleston, located approximately three miles north of Pawnee Rock.
A Public Hearing was held on Dec. 8 by the Barton County Planning Commission to consider the matter, and the commission unanimously recommended that County Commissioners approve the request, Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said.
• Approved the transfer of funds from the General Fund to All Stars.
The Commission approved a transfer of $3,000 from the Finance General Account of the General Fund to All Stars with the adoption of the budget. As there is no specific statute that allows such a transfer, it can only be made via resolution, said Finance Officer Matt Patzner.
It is noted that All Stars is a school-based intervention program designed to reduce adolescent engagement in risk behaviors such as substance use, violence and sexual activity.
• Approved the final Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funding distribution totalling $818,457.
Barton County has received the necessary documentation from the State Office of Recovery to distribute SPARK funding for the cost or reimbursement of COVID-related expenses, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
This is the last of the $5.2 million in SPARK money the county received to help the county, school districts, cities and the other entities. It paid for contracted nursing help at the Health Department, part of the 800 MHz radio upgrade, assorted technological improvements allowing in part for remote working, and payroll for departments that dealt with COVID, such as the Health Department, Sheriff’s Office and 911.
• Approved a resolution establishing consent of purchases and rescinding Resolution 2013-13, adopted June 24, 2013.
Barton County has historically used a “Consent of Purchase Policy” describing the manner and method under which purchases will be made. The policy was last revised in 2013.
Resolution 2020-22 has been drafted to include current methodology and now includes non-competitive and grant procurement practices, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
Made necessary due to the influx of federal, state and grant funding, this basically formalizes practices that are already in place, he said. These include cost limits that require commission approval and bidding procedures.
• Approved a resolution defining the purchasing bids and tabulation process for Barton County.
To further provide consistency in the County’s purchasing practices, a policy has been developed that outlines the purchasing bids and tabulation process that will be used by county officials. The policy will help to insure uniform and transparent county practices, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
• Approved the distribution of Special Alcohol Funding for 2020.
Barton County has solicited applications for the distribution of Special Alcohol monies. These funds, derived from the 10% gross receipts tax on the sale of liquor in private clubs, may be expended only for the purchase, establishment, maintenance or expansion of services or programs whose principal purpose is alcoholism and drug abuse prevention and education, alcohol and drug detoxification, intervention in alcohol and drug abuse or treatment of persons who are alcoholics or drug abusers or are in danger of becoming alcoholics or drug abusers, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said.
Following the last distribution, there is $2,886.19 available for disbursement. Two applications were accepted following a public announcement period.
The funds were split between the Central Kansas Dream Center and Project Dream, both of Great Bend.
• Appointed a host of special deputy coroners.
Dr. Patrick Stiles term as 20th Judicial District coroner became effective Nov. 1. Stiles has subsequently made recommendation as to the appointment of special deputy coroners as prescribed by Kansas Statutes and by Resolution 2006-11, District Coroner. Special deputies serve one-year calendar terms, and are paid per call and for milage, County Administrator Phil Mr. Hathcock said.
Named were: Barton County, Dustin Daniels, Terra DeCarolis, Scott Fleming, Meghan Kern, Jenny Parker, Sheila Phillips, Melissa Prosser, John Stettinger and Laura Webster; Ellworth County, Shawn McGowan; Russell County, Steve Boltin; and Stafford County, Melissa Dove and Doris Tompkins.
• Appointed Richard Lacey to the Fire District No. 2 Board of Trustees representing the North Homestead Township.
Per Resolution 2018-10, which created Fire District No. 2, the members of the Fire District Board of Trustees shall consist of not more than one appointee from each participating township and not more than one from each participating city.
Trustee positions were advertised and remained unfilled for North and South Homestead townships for terms expiring in 2022, and for Union Township expiring in 2021.
All terms are uncompensated, said County Administrator Phil Hathcock.
• Approved the annual review of the Solid Waste Management Plan.
Per state law, Barton County is required to form and maintain a Solid Waste Planning Committee to develop and perform an annual review of the Solid Waste Management Plan, which is then approved by the Commission and submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The committee has reviewed the Solid Waste Management Plan. It is recommended that no changes be made at this time, said County Administrator Phil Hathcock, who is also the solid waste director.
The plan has to be revised every five years. That will happen next year.
• Approved the annual computer operating improvements.
Office 365 Business enables all computer users to have email hosting, protection and archiving as well as a desktop version of Office. It was suggested the commission approve the purchase of licenses for up to 186 users. Total cost of service for 2021 is $35,344.33 from Office Products Inc. of Great Bend, said Information Technology Director Dereck Hollingshead.
• Approved land purchases for the Redwing intersection improvements.
Two small triangles of right of way need to be purchased to allow the ditches to be reconfigured when the new concrete drainage box at the intersection of K-4 and NE 60 Ave is constructed. The landowners have been contacted and asked to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that details the legal descriptions and the purchase price, said County Engineer Barry McManaman.
