Barton County Commission Meeting March 25, 2025, Highlights
BARTON COUNTY, Kan. — Barton County Commissioners have approved a change in how the county procures cold mix asphalt for road projects. Earlier this month the Commission had tabled purchase of cold mix after staff indicated they wanted to look at some lower cost options.
County Works Director Chris Schartz said the plan developed with Venture Corporation where the mixing and preparation would be done at their plant rather than the County Pit. Venture would provide the aggregate and sand and could mix it in smaller batches where it would be fresher for their use.
Total projected cost would come to $32 a ton, for up to 25,000 tons of material. This would also allow for cost savings connected with hauling sand from the county’s pit near Ellinwood and free up equipment and manpower for other projects. Barton County has historically had the third largest network of paved county roads in Kansas.
Commissioners appointed Andrew Fischer as Comanche Township Trustee. Andrew will take the spot his father, Craig Fischer had been elected to in November. Craig Fischer recently passed away. Commissioners approved the reappointment of Mary Ann Stoskopf, James Welch, and Billie Bonomo to the Planning Commission Stoskopf and Welch are original members of the Planning Commission and were involved in the original zoning of the County in 2000.
Environmental manager Judy Goreham also updated the Commission on work the Planning Commission is currently involved in reviewing and revision of wind energy regulations, which may be done later this year.
The Commission approved purchase of portable litter fencing for the Landfill. Solid Waste Director Jennifer Hanby said these fences are used to help control litter from blowing outside the dumping area, and several of the current fences are in disrepair and need to be replaced. The cost of ten fences comes to $83,780 including freight.
The Commission also accepted a quote from Kan-Tech to provide testing, monitoring and other services for the cooling water tower that was part of the HVAC renovation project at the Courthouse.
