Barton County Elected Officials
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––– www.bartoncounty.org –––
Donna Zimmerman - County Clerk/Election Officer 1400 Main, Rm 202, Great Bend 620-793-1835, 620-793-1990 fax A four-year term. First appointed to office on June 1, 1995. Seventh term began January 2021. In addition to several bookkeeping and records keeping responsibilities, here are other key county clerk’s duties: • Real Estate transfer record – records transfer of ownership from deeds filed with the register of deeds, probates, divorce decrees, death certificates, etc. • Issues Fish and Game licenses, large game permits, etc. • Certification of valuation • Prepares homestead/food sales tax returns for low income or elderly persons • Prepares financial reports to the state of Kansas • Acts as the official election officer
Brian Bellendir - Sheriff 1416 Kansas, Great Bend 620-793-1876, 620-793-1885 fax A four-year term. First elected August 2012. Third term began January 2021. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office serves a population of 27,703, which includes nine cities, and 22 townships. Additionally, the sheriff’s office provides assistance to municipal police departments and assists state and federal law enforcement agencies. It is also equipped with specialized units, such as the Crisis Response Team, K-9 Unit, a Reserve Deputy Force and an Explorer Group. In addition to investigation and patrol duties, the department also maintains the county’s detention facility. The Civil Process Officer serves and executes legal papers, garnishments, divorce papers, protection from abuse orders, evictions, mental petitions, and other legal papers.
James Jordan - County Treasurer 1400 Main, Room 208, Great Bend 620-793-1831, 620-793-1978 fax A four-year term. Second term begins October 2021. This office acts as a collection agency for the county. It is responsible for collection of all taxes and distributes tax money to all taxing units in the county. For vehicle registrations and title work - proof of insurance is required. Real estate and personal property taxes are due and payable on or before Dec. 20. First half must be paid at that time, second half due by May 10 the following year. Personal property becomes due and payable in full if the first half is not paid by Dec. 20. Personal property includes boats, campers, trailers, motor bikes, etc. Oil and gas is considered to be personal property. Driver’s Licenses are issued in Room 207. Hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. – 620-793-9531
Pam Wornkey - Register of Deeds 1400 Main, Room 205, Great Bend 620-793-1849 A four-year term. First appointed to office January 2013. Third term began January 2021. This office is charged with recording and preserving all land records. This office has custody of and safely keeps and preserves all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The office also records or causes to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, maintains county school records, Uniform Commercial Code and corporation records, processes passports for the general public and is responsible for the private sale of lots or transfer of ownership through another means for both County owned cemeteries. All records in the office of the Register of Deeds are open records except for the Kansas Real Estate Sales Validation Questionnaire which is open to those protesting their taxes, Kansas Certified General Real Property Appraisers, Bankers and Realtors.
James Daily Chairman, 4th District Appointment began April 2019 jdaily@ bartoncounty.org
Shawn Hutchinson Chairman pro tem, 3rd District Term began January 2021 shutchinson@ bartoncounty.org
Kirby Krier Member, 1st District Term began January 2021 kkrier@ bartoncounty.org
Barb Esfeld Member, 2nd District Term began January 2021 besfeld@ bartoncounty.org
M. Levi Morris - County Attorney 1400 Main, Room 302, Great Bend 620-793-1851, 620-793-1855 fax A four-year term. Appointed December 2018. First elected November 2020. barton.cntyatty@bartoncounty.net The county attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in Barton County. The office handles felony crimes, select misdemeanor and traffic prosecutions. These cases include murder, rape, robbery, juvenile offenses, care and treatment actions, child in need of care, criminal appeals, select traffic offenses, and many others.
Kinds of records filed in the office: • Patents • Deeds • Mortgages • Leases • Assignments • Releases • Affidavits • Articles of Incorporation • Certificates of Death • Power of Attorney • Military Discharges • Plats • County School Records • Tax Liens (state and federal)
Jennifer Schartz Member, 5th District Term began January 2019 jschartz@ bartoncounty.org
• Cemetery Plats • Ordinances (City and County) • Resolutions (City and County) • Bankruptcy • Cemetery Deeds • Certificates of Valuation • City Boundary • Covenants & Restrictions • Easements & Right of Ways • Sub-divisional Plat • Maps & Surveys • Mechanic’s Liens
Barton County has five elected Commissioners who meet Mondays at 9:00 a.m. unless otherwise announced. They meet in Room 106, located on the first floor of the Courthouse, 1400 Main Street, Great Bend. All meetings are open to the public. 620-793-1847 or 620-793-1800 620-793-1807 Fax
