BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — Barton County Commissioners Tuesday began the process that will lead up to the first delinquent tax sale in a few years. At the request of County Treasurer Jim Jordan, the Commission adopted a resolution that authorizes certain tracts of land be sold to collect back taxes, which involves filing of a legal action in District Court, along with abstract work to be done in connection with it.
As of now there are 94 parcels that would be eligible for the sale, though the actual number will be less due to redemption of properties and establishment of payment plans. Related to the sale The commission approved having First American Title Company provide abstracting services at a price of $80 per parcel, the same as for the prior sale
Jordan also discussed a bill the Kansas County Treasurers Association has been pursuing in the Kansas Legislature for the past several years, that would increase the fees paid by the Kansas Department of Revenue to provide motor vehicle registration services on behalf of the state.
At this time the fees collected do not cover the operational costs of local tag offices. Jordan said the current fees have not been increased since 2008, and in 2024 the expense to operate the office exceeded revenues by $50,000 and will likely be more than that in 2025.
The treasurers are asking for a five dollar increase in the fees charged for title work and vehicle registration, which Jordan said would still not cover increased costs, but would help. Jordan also noted the Department of Revenue mandates specific computer equipment be used by counties, which is very expensive.
The Commission approved renewal of software licenses through Champ Software for the electronic records system used by the Barton County Health Department. The health department has been using the Nightingale Notes system for several years, and the just over $30,700 renewal for 2025-26 covers 21 named licenses.
Director Karen Winkleman said this system has worked well for them, and they are working on ways to interface it with some of the reporting systems used by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Winkleman also said the department has seen an increase in clients in each of the past two years.
