In what officials have called a challenging budgeting year requiring creativity to balance spending with taxes, Barton County commissioners Monday night brought representatives from the myriad taxing entities in the county together for a brainstorming session as they launch the 2023 budget-planning season. “This is about getting the taxing entities under one roof and see how we can accomplish our goals in a collaborative way,” said County Operations Director Matt Patzner in his opening remarks. “How can we help each other do more?” In all, there are 54 taxing bodies that are entirely within the county or include a sliver of it, not all of which were represented at the gathering. These include the county, cities, school districts, hospital districts, libraries, fire districts, recreation commissions, townships, Barton Community College and others.
Source: Great Bend Tribune