BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
A program that has been successful in improving the appearances of downtown areas throughout Barton County has been extended until the last day of June.
Barton County Administrator Matt Patzner addressed the Commissioners Tuesday morning to announce the extension of the Facade Improvement Grant 2025 to June 30. The program provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for facade improvements. The extension applies to Great Bend, Ellinwood and Hoisington. Claflin has been excluded from the extension. because they have adequate applications in the system already.
To date, one Hoisington business and one Great Bend business has applied for the assistance. There have been no applicants in Ellinwood. Five businesses have applied in Claflin.
“Barton County is excited to announce the extension of the Facade Improvement Grant 2025 deadline to June 30. 2025 for all areas except for the city of Claflin,” Patzner said. “And the reason for that is we have an adequate amount of applicants for the city of Claflin, and the other communities are the ones that we really need to see some more. This program provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for facade improvements, to define areas, to create a visual impact and increase economic prosperity, accessibility and quality of life in Claflin. Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington.
County Commissioner Donna Zimmerman said, “I think it makes a lot of sense to extend this.”
If interested, FIG25 applications are available at www.bartoncounty.org under the Living in Barton County tab.
Here is a brief look at what the Commissioners did Tuesday:
• Patzner reported there are several advisory boards and committees needing members. These positions are non-compensated, multi-year terms and provide input on operations.
“We have one Barton County appointed position open for the Central Kansas Community Corrections Board, one position open for the Central Kansas Library System, two positions open for Fire District No. 2, one position open for the Memorial Parks Advisory Committee, and two positions open for the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board,” Patzner said. “If interested, you can pick up an application in the Administrator’s Office (in the Courthouse).”
Commission Chair Tricia Schlessiger said, “I think we all know how important it is to have people that are interested in these projects on these boards. We appreciate their time and effort.”
• Approved out-of-state travel expenses to allow Tyler Morton of Juvenile Services, along with Nichelle Holinde of Family Crisis Center to attend the Mid-Year Forum in Nashville, Tenn. on July 20-25.
Juvenile Services received a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drug-Free Communities support grant. Included in the grant is training with the Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). Five students will also be attending the convention.
“This is a great opportunity,” Morton said. “I know the youth are excited to go. One thing I would add to this is that CADCA has invested resources, time and energy to come out and do trainings here in Kansas. We’re one of only a few states that have that going at the moment. Marissa (Juvenile Services Director Woodmansee) and I just went to Garden City last week and intended a training. So the fact that they’re still here, that they’re still investing in Kansas, I think, shows that there’s a lot going on across the state, and they want to keep that going. So to be able to go and support them with their big conference and and then do the trainings throughout the year is massive for our youth and for anybody that’s working in prevention.”
Commissioner Barb Esfeld made a motion to approve the funding for the trip. It was seconded by Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson and passed 5-0.
• Approved payment of $14,573.68 to assist 44 felony probationers with the cost of mental health and substance abuse evaluations, treatment and medication. On July 1, 2024, Central Kansas Community Corrections received a grant for $27,720.50 for Fiscal Year 2025. The grant is from where the money will be distributed.
CKCC Director Brooke Haulmark said, “This fiscal year, we received $27,720.50. That money is allotted especially for assessments such as mental health, substance abuse, batters intervention and sex offender treatment. For my request today, there are 44 individuals that have outstanding balances at the Center for Counseling, where they received a variety of different treatments and medications. The balance for their outstanding cost was $14,573.78. We have that money in that fund to pay to assist them, and so that’s what I’m asking.”
Hutchinson made a motion to approve the payment. Zimmerman made a second and the motion carried 5-0.
• Approved the regular Accounts Payable Appropriations for the period of May 20, 2025 to June 3, 2025.
Zimmerman made the motion to approve. Esfeld made the second. The motion passed 5-0.
