By Lucky Kidd
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — The Barton County Commission Tuesday approved funding for the third round of a Facade improvement Program it started in 2021. For the 2025 program the cities of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington have been asked to provide a $10,000 project match for each of up to 12 total projects to match the 120 thousand dollars budgeted by the County for the project.
Since the program began there have been nine projects in Claflin, seven in Ellinwood, 37 in Great Bend and ten in Hoisington. Ten projects are currently outstanding, eight of which are in Great Bend with at least four going through historical review processes.
Commissioners also awarded a three-year contract to Adams Brown for audit services, including grant and pass through funds that have to be audited annually. There will be an additional charge in the event a “single audit” is required, which is when a program receives over a certain amount of federal funds, which has been raised from $750,000 to $1 million.
The contractor that maintains the Golden Belt and Hillcrest Cemeteries owned by Barton County was recognized by the Commission. Earlier this year James Bingaman’s Mow-N was awarded a bid for mowing services at the two cemeteries, and County Works Director Chris Schartz said.
Bingaman has actively contributed to beautification of the cemetery and provided ideas for improvements.
Bingaman told Commissioners this work is very much a labor of love for him, especially because he is a veteran and there are many veterans buried at the cemeteries. “They deserve the utmost respect, and their tombstones need to be seen so people can read them, and honor them,” Bingaman told the Commission.
