Meeting at a glance
Here’s a brief look at Tuesday’s Barton County Commissioners Agenda meeting:
• The Commissioners accepted the resignation of Raymond V. Christians from the position of Albion Township Trustee. The remaining Albion Township board members nominated Ethan Ludwig to fulfill the term of Township Trustee. The Commissioners voted 5-0 to accept the nomination of Ludwig.
• County Treasurer Jim Jordan presented the Commissioners with a list of Official Depositories for County funds. In order to be a pledged securities depository for county funds, the institutions must meet the 100% pledged requirementfor all County funds.
The list of banks include BMO, Central National, Equity Bank, Farmers Bank and Trust, First Kansas Bank, Landmark National, Peoples Bank and Trust, Plains State Bank, Wilson State Bank and Municipal Investment Pool Fund in Topeka. The motion carried to approve these institutions.
• Heard from County Administrator Matt Patzner about the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Student Loan Repayment Program. The Kansas Department of Commerce requires counties to pass a resolution obligating them to participate in the ROZ program for at least five years. Barton County has made a pledge for $15,000 as a benefit as a workplace or workforce recruitment tool for eligible persons establishing domicile in Barton County.
The Commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize participation in the program.
• Approved the renewal fee of $510 for membership into the National Association of Counties (NACo).
• Approved the renewal fee of $4,904.97 for membership into the Kansas Legislative Policy Group, a bi-partisan coalition of western Kansas counties with the common interest in the preservation of the counties tax base and retention of local control.
• Met in executive session to discuss matters with the County Counselor to discuss matters related to attorney/client privelege. The reason they were meeting in executive session was to provide the attorney/client privelege in the county’s position on a matter in which legal advice is being sought.
No action was taken.
• Kansas statutes require that the counties hold their organizational meeting the second Monday of the year, including swearing in of county officials and officers of the Sheriff’s department. Instead of meeting on the normal Tuesday, the Commissioners will meet Monday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse.
BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
When you have people in place that excel in their positions, work well with others, are trustworthy and enjoy doing what they do, there’s only one option – extend their contracts.
That is precisely what the Barton County Board of Commissioners did with County Administrator Matt Patzner and County Counselor Patrick Hoffman. Both had their contracts renewed through January, 2029.
The contract extensions were on the agenda at Tuesday morning’s meeting and the Commissioners took turns handing out accolades to the pair.
Patzner started with Barton County in 2014 in the Treasurer’s office. He became Finance Director in 2016, and added Human Relations to his workplate in 2017. In 2021 Patzner was promoted to Operations Director. To stay current with Kansas statutes, his title was changed in 2023 to County Administrator.
“When I introduce Matt, I say County Administrator, but he is our finance and human relations officer,” Commission Chair Barb Esfeld said. “And not many counties are lucky enough to have one guy that can do finance like he does, and also be the director and do as good as job. Matt, you have done exceptional. When we hired you, we definitely hit the jackpot for sure. You have just done outstanding.”
Before considering a motion, Esfeld asked the other commissioners to speak on this extension.
“Madam Chair, I would echo all of your comments,” said Commissioner Donna Zimmerman. “It’s been a joy working with Matt. I shared before that I was lucky enough to get to interview him when he first came here and knew that we needed to find a good spot for him, because I knew that he would be a gem for Barton County. He has certainly proven to be that, and then some. And like you said, his financial background is such a plus in his role as County Administrator, and so glad that you’re here, and if we can extend your contract another four years, that would be a plus for Barton County.”
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson also had kind words for Patzner.
“Matt and I were pretty new at the same time,” Hutchinson recalled. “Matt, of course, has been here for quite a while, but new to the roles, and so he and I got to learn what a county administrator does, together. We made a few mistakes along the way, but we just decided, as we make these mistakes, we own them and never do it again. And so the few times that’s happened, I’ve seen true character and appreciate you. Thank you.”
Before asking for a motion, Esfeld said “When we did our interviews for County Administrator, we interviewed people from all over. Matt did not get that position because he was a local guy. He outshined every one of them. So we appreciate you, Matt.”
Commissioner Duane Reif made a motion to approve the contract extension. It was seconded by Zimmerman and the motion carried.
Next up was the extension of the Independent Contract Agreement for County Counselor Patrick Hoffman, who has been with Barton County since 2018. In addition to his role as Barton County Counselor, Hoffman also serves as City Attorney for Ellsworth and Lyons, as well as Reno County counselor.
I didn’t ever plan to be a local government attorney,” Hoffman said. “I never planned to focus my career on that. Absolutely thrilled that I kind of fell into it 100% of the time. Because you just really see the impact. I can look back at things that we’ve done over the last six years that I really do believe have helped people’s lives in some way in Barton County and local government does matter. And it is worth the time we all spend on it.”
Commissioners Tricia Schlessiger and Duane Reif were also appreciative of what Hoffman brings to the County.
“I think that we have a great team here, and I would like to continue it on four more years,” Schlessiger said.
“I’d have to agree with the commissioners,” Reif said. “I feel like he works well with all of us. And I’ve never felt like I couldn’t call him for something, even if I thought it was something pretty minor. And he’s always explained things very well, and I appreciate his service.”
Esfeld had one final comment.
“Between you and Matt, we have a rock star team. I think, and you said it, Patrick, we serve the county well. That’s what we ran for. That’s what we wanted to do, to serve the county well, and along with both of your’s help, we’re able to do that. We so appreciate it.”
