By Lucky Kidd
GREAT BEND, Kan. — Monday’s announcement about the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) no longer pursuing the proposed Midwest Plains and Plains-Southwest National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) was brought up at this morning’s Barton County Commission meeting.
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson said a lot of the credit for that decision needs to go to the public, especially the residents of Barton, Pawnee and Russell counties who came together to oppose the five-mile power transmission corridor.
This included the very large turnout at a joint meeting of the County Commissions of the three counties where they formalized their objection to the concept, which Hutchinson said demonstrates how when people come together things can happen.
During the meeting Commissioners also held a public hearing on and approved amendments to the 2024 general, road and bridge and 911 funds. For the latter two funds this was to cover unanticipated expenses for materials and maintenance, and for the general fund to reflect additional revenue including the potential tax credits it may receive before year’s end on the Courthouse HVAC project.
An $8,500 bid was accepted from SCS Engineers for development of a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plan for the landfill, which is and EPA mandate. This covers such things as oil storage and handling procedures, drainage control and personnel and equipment available to prevent oil spills from reaching any navigable waters.
The Commission also approved having Foley Tractor inspect axles on a landfill compactor on which operators have to routinely clean out debris wrapping around them to protect axle deals and drives. This is not a simple take off the wheels matter as each of the tires on that compactor weights seven thousand pounds.
The Commission approved a bid from L&M contractors for widening of a bridge on North McKinley just north of the Great Bend City Limits. This would add six feet to each side of this bridge. Commissioners approved a contract with Kirkham Michael for biennial inspection of the 372 bridge structures in Barton County. In addition to span bridges this also covers culverts 20 feet or longer.
It also approved a two-year buyback agreement with Bobcat of Salina for two skid steer loaders, a program the county has used for ten years. If you’re wondering, a new loader of this kind currently costs just over $80,000 each.
A $3,000 contribution to All Stars, a program that is run through Barton County Youth Services, was approved. Since there isn’t a specific law related to just making a transfer for this it was done through a resolution.
The Commission approved renewal of its contract with the Golden Belt Humane Society to provide animal control services in unincorporated areas of the county, renewal of Microsoft Office 365 licenses for the next year, and renewal of five cereal malt beverage licenses for 2025, two each in Beaver and Odin and one for the Lake Barton Golf Course.
