Function of Department

The Appraiser's Department is responsible for determining the fair market value of all assessable properties. The appraiser analyzes trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents to estimate such value.  Real property and personal property is appraised as of January 1 every year. Partially complete new construction is appraised based upon its percentage of completion as of January 1. Market value (what a willing buyer and willing seller would agree to) is the basis of value for most real property except agricultural land. Agricultural land is appraised on the basis of its productivity and a formula determined by Kansas Constitution, statutes, and state guidelines. Most personal property (except business, machinery equipment, RVs, etc.) is also appraised at market value.

Buying a Home?

The County Appraiser is required to value real property, excluding land devoted to agriculture use, at fair market value.  If your purchase is an open-market transaction, it may be used as a comparable property to value itself and like properties.

A calculation that can be used to estimate your property taxes after your purchase is:
Purchase Price  X  Assessment Rate  X Mill Rate  =  Estimated Taxes

069 NT 2025 Legal Notice for trend.pdf

069 NT 2024 Legal Notice for trend.doc

069 NT 2023 Legal Notice for trend.doc

090 NT 2026 Legal Notice for trend.pdf

dc-notice-to-public-publishingpdf.pdf

Function of Office

The county clerk, an elected position, plays a unique roll in county government in that the Kansas Constitution and Statutes of Law place a great amount of legal responsibility in the position. The office is segmented into different areas as required by law.

Commissioners

The County Clerk serves as secretary to the Board of County Commissioners, either in person or by deputy; keeps the seal, records the papers of the board, signs the records of proceedings, and attests the same with the seal of the county and is the repository for all board records.

County Election Officer

As the county elections officer, the county clerk is responsible for all local elections and voter registration.

ELECTION DUTIES

• Voter registration site
• Maintain registration database
• Verify registration validity
• Generate registration list and reports
• Accept filings for public office
• Prepare newspaper publications for elections
• Assist with selection of election board workers
• Prepare ballots
• Make available advanced voting for voters
• Prepare results and provisional ballots for County Board of Canvassers
• Certify election results to the public and Secretary of State
• Prepare Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Election forms
• Record all election results in permanent record

Fiscal Services

The county clerk oversees payments to vendors and certifies that the cash is on hand and budget authority available to cover all claims. The clerk shall have a good working knowledge of all county department budgets and expenditures in order to present the claims to the county commissioners. 

The clerk must keep a clear audit trail for the accounting of all receipts and disbursements. Account payable's are processed weekly. The county clerk assists in budget preparation of 30 various taxing units in the county, and gathers information for the annual independent audit conducted by a CPA.

Tax Administration

The county clerk must finalize the assessed values on all real estate and personal property in the county. After the tax levies are set in October, special assessments are applied, the county clerk prepares the tax roll and tax statements. The appraiser and treasurer offices’ are informed of all new taxing districts established and are supplied, yearly, with new maps reflecting changes.

Public Information Officer

As the freedom of information officer, the county clerk must:

• Prepare and provide educational materials and information concerning the Open Records Act
• Be available to assist any public agency and members of the general public to resolve disputes relating to the Open Records Act
• Respond to inquires relating to the Open Records Act

Other Duties

• Administers Oaths of Office
• Issues various permits or licenses as prescribed by law.

  Function of Department

Norton County Emergency Management is responsible for the planning, coordination of response, recovery, and mitigation activities related to county-wide emergencies and disasters; serving as the primary coordination point for communication between the Federal, State, and local levels; developing emergency operation plans for the county, assisting local jurisdictions with emergency action plans; conducting training and educational outreach programs related to emergency preparedness; and sponsoring emergency management training.

 Mission

Norton County Emergency Management mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a county we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 What is Emergency Management 

Emergency Management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.  Kansas law requires every county to have a state approved Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), and to appoint an Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). The EMCs, in conjunction with local governments, are responsible for coordinating the necessary actions to protect lives and property before, during, and after times of disaster and/or emergency.

Philosophy of Emergency Management  

There are four aspects to Emergency Management's philosophy:

• Mitigation - Preventing or reducing the impact of possible events
• Preparedness - Identifying hazards and preparing plans for particular hazards
• Response - The hands-on response to the emergency event
• Recovery - Operations that will insure the orderly return to normal, near-normal, or improved levels following a disaster

Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Kansas Homeland Security Region B Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed as a guide for Norton County jurisdictions and citizens to prepare for possible natural disaster events by taking actions to mitigate the effects of potential hazards.  The Kansas Homeland Security Region B Hazard Mitigation Plan is valid for 5 years from the date it was adopted by the Norton County Board of County Commissioners, by Resolution 2020-01 on January 6, 2020.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management began in 2012 to develop regional mitigation plans in an effort to provide sustainment of mitigation plans and save taxpayers’ money. The Norton County Mitigation Plan was replaced with a regional mitigation plan.  The Kansas Homeland Security Region B Hazard Mitigation Plan is comprised of nine participating counties:  Ellis, Graham, Ness, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Rush, Russell and Trego Counties.   The regional plan was prepared to meet the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), as defined in regulations set forth by the Interim Final Rule (44 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 201.6).

Mitigation is commonly defined as sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and their property from hazards and their effects. Hazard mitigation planning provides communities with a roadmap to aid in the creation and revision of policies and procedures, and the use of available resources, to provide long-term, tangible benefits to the community. A well-designed hazard mitigation plan provides communities with realistic actions that can be taken to reduce potential vulnerability and exposure to identified hazards.

Anyone with questions on the Mitigation Plan are encouraged to stop by the Norton County Emergency Management Office.

Region B Hazard Mitigation Plan.pdf

Function of Department

Norton County EMS provides BLS (Basic Life Support) and ALS (Advanced Life Support), pre-hospital emergency medical care and inter-facility transfers.  Our goal is to provide a rapid response with the highest quality of pre-hospital patient care for all the citizens of Norton County as well as all that travel through the county.

Function of Department

The county health department's mission to advance community health is carried forward through four basic functions: (1) health surveillance, planning, and program development; (2) promotion of local health coverage; (3) setting and enforcement of standards; and (4) providing health services.

 Mission

We work to make Norton County a healthier and safer place to live, work, learn and play.

Function of Department

The function of the Noxious Weed Department is to assist landowners and producers in the control of noxious weeds in Norton County. The assistance may be by recommended procedures or by the sale of recommended herbicides.

Function of Department

Norton County Road and Bridge is responsible for the maintenance of county roads, bridges, signs, ditches, culverts, shoulders and equipment; supervises the planning, design and construction of road and bridge improvements; reviews and implements federal, state and local rules/regulations covering transportation, storm drainage, subdivision development, floodplain management, land surveying, and other aspects of public works; manages right-of-way acquisitions and roadway construction projects; evaluates land use and traffic patterns and establishes long-range plans.
 

Kansas statute 79-1947 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to fix a rate of a levy annually for construction, reconstruction, improvements, repair, maintenance and acquisitions of rights-of-way for county roads and bridges. Money collected for road maintenance and construction is placed in the Road & Bridge Fund.

 Mission

 Maintenance and construction of county roads and bridges is a high priority for our citizens and county leaders. Statewide, road and bridge expenditures account for about 35 percent of all county-levied property taxes.

 Mission

The primary mission of the Norton County Sheriff's Office is to provide a safe and secure environment for the residents and visitors of Norton County. The Norton County Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting the lives, property, and rights of all people.

Utilizing the laws of the Constitution and the laws and statutes passed by the State of Kansas, the Norton County Sheriff's Office, will work cooperatively with the public and other governmental agencies to provide the best living situation for the residents of Norton County.

Staff

Sheriff Adam Wahlmeier

Undersheriff Chris Bailey

Deputy Austin Hager

Deputy Robert Annon Jr. (Part-time)

Deputy/ Detention Deputy Larry Land

Office Administrator Brandi Keith

Head Dispatcher Joni Yocum

Dispatcher Amanda Samuelson

Dispatcher Perry Walker

Dispatcher Rhian Herl

Function of Department

• Accept and dispose of residential and demolition waste generated in Norton County ONLY!!!
• Maintain recycling being brought in by public
• Help keep the environment safe by complying with state and federal regulations
• Maintain the Household Hazardous Waste program established in the county for residential customers only
• Accept trees, grass, and yard waste for Norton County
• Accept E-waste for recycling

 Mission

To protect the environment by providing a controlled site to dispose of residential and demolition waste, to encourage wisdom in the use of materials and chemicals in the home and business, and to promote cooperation in education and resource management.

  Disposal rates

• MSW (RESIDENTIAL TRASH)- $80.00 per ton/about 4 cents a lb.
• CONSTRUCTION DEMOLITION- $80.00 per ton/about 4 cents a lb.
• IF CD HAS ANY TRASH, PLASTICS, CARDBOARD, CAULKING TUBES   ETC., YOU WILL BE CHARGED A SORTING FEE OR LOAD MAY BE REFUSED.
•  
• GRASS AND YARD WASTE IS FREE. YARD WASTE IS LEAVES,GRASS, AND NON WOODY GARDEN WASTE ONLY. ANY CUSTOMER CAUGHT DUMPING TRASH IN GRASS PILE WILL BE CHARGED A SORTING FEE! NO TRASH OR TREES PLEASE!!
• TREES ARE FREE TO RESIDENTS ONLY.COMMERCIAL TREE COMPANIES WILL BE CHARGED A TIPPING FEE PER LOAD OF TREES.TREES MUST BE NO LONGER THAN 8 FEET IN LENGTH. NO TRASH PLEASE!!!
• HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES ARE FREE TO BRING TO LANDFILL. ALL MUST HAVE READABLE LABELS AND NOT BE LEAKING.THIS SERVICE IS FOR RESIDENTS OF NORTON COUNTY ONLY.
•  
• TIRE DISPOSAL DEPENDS ON SIZE OF TIRE. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY TIRE WITH RIMS. PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR PRICING.
• THERE IS A $25.00 FREON DISPOSAL CHARGE ON ALL REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS. A $5.00 CHARGE ON SMALL REFRIGERATORS AND AIR CONDITIONERS.
•  
• NORTON COUNTY SOLID WASTE HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY UNACCEPTABLE WASTE.
• FLUORESCENT BULBS ARE FREE FOR RECYCLE TO RESIDENTS,UP TO 10 BULBS. ANY BUSINESSES WILL BE CHARGED FOR DISPOSAL OF BULBS. CALL FOR PRICES.
• BATTERIES  ARE FREE TO RECYCLE. ALL LITHIUM BATTERIES MUST BE BROUGHT IN SEPARATELY FOR ALL OTHER ONE TIME USE AND LEAD ACID BATTERIES. LITHIUM BATTERIES MUST HAVE TERMINALS TAPED TO PREVENT SHORTING OUT. THIS SERVICE IS FOR RESIDENTS ONLY.
• EWASTE IS FREE TO NORTON COUNTY RESIDENTS,BUT BUSINESSES WILL BE CHARGED.
• SPECIAL WASTES,CONTAMINATED SOILS,NON FRIABLE ASBESTOS, AND PERMITTED WASTES MUST BE APPROVED BY  NORTON COUNTY SOLID WASTE SUPERVISOR BEFORE DUMPING. THIS CHARGE IS $240.00 PER TON OR 12 CENTS A LB. PLEASE CALL BEFORE PLEASE
• .
• Norton county has a demolition program for houses, garages and outbuildings. call for details.
•  PLEASE CALL 785-877-5790, IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

Function of Office

The County Treasurer, an elected position, with duties and responsibilities that are described in Chapter 19, Article 5; Chapter 8; and Chapter 79 of Kansas Statutes. The County Treasurer’s primary responsibilities include tax billing, collection, and distribution of local tax money for the state, county, cities, schools, and other taxing entities within the county that levy ad valorem and/or special assessment taxes.  This also includes managing all other moneys belonging to the county and/or directed by law to be paid to the treasurer. 

Motor Vehicles

The Treasurer serves as an agent for the State Department of Revenue / Division of Vehicles regarding the administration of the state motor vehicle title and registration laws.  The County Treasurer also oversees the Motor Vehicle Department which collects motor vehicle taxes and license fees on behalf of the State of Kansas distributing license plates and yearly validation decals to all vehicle owners in Norton County.  

Drop Box Location

Payments made by check or money order, can be placed in our drop box that is located on the west side of the courthouse or mailed to this office.