By Lucky Kidd
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — Barton County Commissioners approved a change to the Authorized Positions listing that was adopted when it approved the county’s 2025 operating budget. The change involved one-half full-time position being added to both the Noxious Weed and Road and Bridge Departments for both 2024 and 2025.
County Administrator Matt Patzner said this is more of a clean-up matter than anything else, involving an employee who divides time between the two departments but was up to now not counted against either. This will bring the total number of full-time positions to 191 and allow for more efficiency in County Works operations.
Barton County has seen a reduction in employee numbers over the years, which has been a factor in its being able to keep budgets revenue neutral. Payroll expense by the way accounts for about ten million of the $12 million it receives from property taxes.
Commissioners rejected the one bid it received for trash collection in 2025. The County sent out a bid request for 2025 collection, which generally involves three pickup days per week and the only bid submitted from Chism’s Trash Service was about twice what the county now pays. Staff recommended that the bid be rejected, and Facilities Management Director Darren Williams be authorized to negotiate with area vendors for a cost closer to what the county is now paying.
An update to Barton County’s Solid Waste Management Plan was approved. This plan has to be updated annually and submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The county’s Solid Waste Planning Committee has reviewed the plan and is recommending an update to the major employers list that is part of the plan.
