Barton County Commission Holds Urgent Meeting January 6
UPDATE: The Barton County Commission is set to kick off its first meeting of 2026 at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, at the courthouse, with critical discussions impacting local governance. Citizens are encouraged to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at this link or call 620-793-1800 to engage in discussions.
This meeting marks a significant start to the new year, featuring urgent agenda items that will shape county operations. Notably, the commission will decide on a request from the County Clerk’s office regarding approval of added, abated, escape, and refunded taxes.
In a notable appointment, Brian Miller is expected to be named to the Beaver Township Board, filling the vacancy left by Jennifer Steinert, who resigned effective December 31, 2025.
Additional key discussions include designating official depositories for county funds and extending the contract with Elle Hutchinson as the county’s media consultant. The commission will also consider renewing memberships for essential organizations, including the National Association of Counties for $510, the Kansas Legislative Policy Group for $6,274, and the League of Kansas Municipalities.
The meeting will feature several scheduled appointments:
– 9:45 a.m.: Planning session with media consultant
– 10:00 a.m.: Regular business discussion with County Administrator Matt Patzner
– 10:15 a.m.: Discussion with County Appraiser Wendy Prosser regarding a bulk mailing request for proposals (RFP)
– 10:30 a.m.: Discussion with Solid Waste Director Jennifer Hamby on a dirt purchase from Oneok
– 10:45 a.m.: Program update with Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Brooke Haulmark
– 11:15 a.m.: Program update with Christy Crews (rescheduled from December 30)
For those interested in local governance, the latest episode of “The County Edition” will air on KVGB-AM at 11:05 a.m. on Thursdays, featuring insights from Sheriff Brian Bellendir on the January 8 program.
Stay tuned for live updates as the Barton County Commission commences its first meeting of 2026, an event that will directly affect the community’s future.
