[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6588618,"mediaKeyId","5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710","parentId",5575218,"title","Reno County approves agreement with Meadowlark to capture landfill gas for renewable natural gas","audioSeconds",2340,"startMs",1626000,"endMs",3966000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710&start=1626&end=3966","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710/thumbnail_1626000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588618/Reno-County/Kansas/Reno-County-approves-agreement-with-Meadowlark-to-capture-landfill-gas-for-renewable-natural-gas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588618-9a65ffa3633c62646af769a38791c895/orig.mp4?Expires=1775365530&Signature=Kg3XKTRKAuScI-DlOd6D5YSWjbZ-9ziZxmZWb1K5Rb~~yaGnKv35RZB67pYe~BEXkMTH5zldZrZeYkRiL1C2sgPcRKjWGZ5pEh3lipVBpf68GZOxq2gKYgooVt9PGxtk6ANicEH4noMFo1wPG2Q001ovVduqq86UtgLC5D~sOMo6P08iPR5EXFit2pGDS~3G6UOB~GONErp2-SufTX7fMqhWSZY8yoNUr3Hmd6MvwHqTEgqKvL~TIX1mn6Xroog-C3cz-XYwXtUEX~9C-d--n93SulhvSxfcRhOTo8AbzcCeBvuXig4Eg5p58j5dtk4dzfQ3DoeAn84VgEwg3xgUhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Reno County Kansas","date","2025-08-12T15:17:05Z","article","Reno County commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Meadowlark to capture methane and other recoverable gases from the county landfill and route processed fuel to the regional pipeline system.

The agreement allows Meadowlark to design, permit, construct and operate an on-site renewable natural gas plant and related gathering pipelines on county property. County staff and Meadowlark representatives said the company will finance the project and be responsible for permitting and day-to-day operation; the county retains final approval of any plant or well-field design and requires financial security to cover site remediation if Meadowlark abandons the project.

County staff opened the agenda item by describing the project as novel for Reno County and said the county has negotiated protections into the final agreement. County staff member Patrick said the project is \"a new thing. New things are always scary,\" and added that staff had tried to address risks through contract language and oversight provisions.

Meadowlark and its engineering contractor provided technical details. John Bolte, an engineer with Small Lehi Engineering, said the plant would be sited on roughly a three-acre lot adjacent to Clark Road and the county's existing landfill flare; the plant would \"tee into\" the landfill gas collection system rather than replace it, with the flare retained as a standby. Bolte described the plant as a two-stage pressure-swing adsorption system that removes hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds, then reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen to produce pipeline-quality methane. \"We basically tee into that, intercept that, and then bring that new raw gas flow, into the plant for processing,\" Bolte said.

Meadowlark described a planned pipeline route of roughly 9,100 feet that would cross existing rights-of-way and private easements to reach a Kansas Gas Service injection point. Company representatives said the target steady-state injection flow is about 400 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) — roughly in the mid‑tens of thousands of cubic feet per hour — and that, once fully commissioned, the project could produce materially more than the guaranteed baseline payment in the contract.

Norman, a Meadowlark representative, told the commission the company had agreed to several changes requested by the county since a May briefing: an escalator to the guaranteed minimum payment, county control of well-field design and operation oversight, enumeration of Meadowlark responsibilities for permitting and construction, and a requirement for financial security in case Meadowlark stops work. \"Meadowlark as a company would be responsible for the permitting, the construction, the operation, and the day to day management of this business on your property,\" Norman said.

Commissioners asked about emergency response and fire suppression. Bolte said the plant design would be coordinated with the local or state fire marshal, include emergency shutdown (ESD) systems and controls, and provide training and access plans for local fire departments. He said the planned gathering pipeline would be polyethylene (4-inch) at modest pressure to simplify crossings and to limit volumes in the event of third-party damage; a remote compressor would boost pressure at the Kansas Gas Service tie-in.

Meadowlark said the design-to-construction timeline is roughly 18 months from the start of building, subject to conditions including permits, easements, economic liability reviews and a title commitment. Meadowlark offered to brief the county on progress on a regular cadence during design and construction.

After discussion the commission voted to approve the agreement and authorized the county to sign. The vote was recorded as follows: Commissioner Parks — yes; Commissioner Vincent — yes; Commissioner Winger — yes; Commissioner Hurst — yes; Commissioner Boatner — yes.

The agreement is contractual and contingent on permits, easements and title work. County staff emphasized they will monitor compliance with state environmental requirements; Commissioner Hurst and other commissioners noted that state agencies such as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulate waste and air permitting and would be the authority on permit compliance.

The commission requested ongoing briefings as Meadowlark proceeds through permitting and design.

Ending: County staff said they will return to the commission with updates during the design and preconstruction phases; Meadowlark representatives said they will seek permit approvals and easements and aim to begin construction after completing the listed conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Reno County Board of County Commissioners 08.13.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Reno County commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Meadowlark to capture methane and other recoverable gases from the county landfill and route processed fuel to the regional pipeline system.","taxTitle","Reno County, Kansas","taxId",52856,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588609,"Highlands mayor tells Reno County majority of local poll favors spreading sewer bond payments across property tax rolls",263,388000,651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710&start=388&end=651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6588609/Reno-County/Kansas/Highlands-mayor-tells-Reno-County-majority-of-local-poll-favors-spreading-sewer-bond-payments-across-property-tax-rolls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588609-41a8d25726e068d427d5f3f0c1ed7e3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775365530&Signature=Tvr~VyJqmyfSgw9eIlJN-NZN5R5EbbpN-nCx4UhPXOQt9EOp7~Eq2R~5c9BufeA0ODRSfawZI71j0McvocT54VQNIRmdbC~o5dgfJJEsBeJzdgNIqq34Pmj8oYYBi1kRAZ~8v714EH8FwM-FZ4Q9cE3o~SL26LYF98-wtD8JVZcx8VZE0a~qRl22Z-kzfnVxgGZufITAd5mtHK7EaYJzSg5Xst~tl-phPI1LJYZE1vuZH4TZenbZB2nRB34fT~xeicy4MVmMIxYzAC7pRkRWXLSvBm9YLgz8i2u44TNwqnMVWMvrmsa0n57pTpGcvt47B88DryBx6-yBazVHB4vrpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Carol Moore, mayor of the City of The Highlands, told the Reno County Board of Commissioners during public comments that a resident poll shows a majority of city respondents favor putting wastewater bond and interest payments on the general property tax roll rather than charging only customers connected to the sewer district.

Moore said the poll was conducted with door-hanger ballots and stamped, addressed return envelopes; officials received 111 returns (a 62% return rate), of which five were unusable, leaving 106 ballots counted. Moore said 66% (70 respondents) selected option 1 — which would put the full bond and interest payment on property tax statements for all property owners in The Highlands. She said option 2 (the structure voters approved in 2018) received seven votes and option 3 (the structure adopted by Resolution 2023-17) received 27% of returns.

Moore said Resolution 2025-17 changed the bond and interest payment structure from what had been voted by citizens in 2018 and that the poll reflects the council's recommendation to revert to the option that spreads payments across property tax bills. She asked the county to \"consider the wishes of the residents of the city of The Highlands with a new resolution in January 2026 that incorporates option number 1.\" Moore also noted the bond is scheduled to be paid off in 2038 at a stated interest rate of 3% (as described in the materials she provided).

County staff responded that all three options are feasible within the current utility district budget and that the commission could give staff guidance immediately but would have to make any final determination at the budget hearing. Commissioners and staff discussed covering the topic at an upcoming budget study session; no formal county action was taken at the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to include the matter in budget discussions and brief the commission prior to the formal budget hearing. The mayor said her council recommends option 1 if the change is administratively possible.","Dr. Carol Moore, mayor of the City of The Highlands, told Reno County commissioners a local poll found 66% of respondents favor putting sewer bond and interest payments on all property tax statements rather than charging only sewer users.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588614,"Reno County commissioners approve workforce agreement, board appointments and 2025–26 insurance rates",2304,936000,3240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710&start=936&end=3240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575218-4a9d432e466dc4f84fd291081a920710/thumbnail_936000.jpg","/articles/6588614/Reno-County/Kansas/Reno-County-commissioners-approve-workforce-agreement-board-appointments-and-202526-insurance-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588614-973a71856ef9dc19e844e97aefc0bbc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775365530&Signature=AsjYCv7mEpcbZnq7WgyYprGt0vyVhgs7QdKNQka6WONMTxd~JZNutGD~U5tzzGV22fiWBhAI1gvA4~rumW4aVDmEDerN4CLeodfzbu3MASPMzkK~M28CTV-1ZZ99cP-9huJ9HYqNRRYg0DrHvfxtNz0B1Sj176r38m~3lyV~-HyJCggARRl0WP3mRH4HS7ScUIrAMS8mdfTSbz9GuKYYgk5V~0jCbl5opEuCtoz30b3ML8vRaNDC4ORwxUL~YaDJwdV5u486YgPS-isugVExQFLWBO3gyqH1-1c8JAOYwUqeZUVpQiOAJi36BTFHralDpZlhAra1zMIpN4RYcbg3Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Reno County commissioners on a unanimous roll call approved several administrative items: renewal of the chief elected official board agreement with Kansas Workforce Area 1; two county representatives to the South Central Economic Development (SCED) board; adoption of the county's 2025–26 health and dental insurance premium schedule; and the routine consent agenda.

Kansas Workforce Area 1: Deb Scheibel, executive director of Kansas Workforce 1 (operating as Kansas Works in local offices), presented the agreement and described a statewide merger that expanded the board's service area to 79 counties effective Jan. 1, 2025. Scheibel highlighted local employer-focused efforts — including a Hutchinson project with Siemens that averted 86 layoffs — youth pre‑apprenticeship work with Hutchinson Community College and an $8 million equitable transition grant to support youth with disabilities (presentation materials list the grant and a planned November program launch). Commissioners voted to approve the chief elected official board agreement. Vote: Commissioner Parks — yes; Commissioner Vincent — yes; Commissioner Winger — yes; Commissioner Hurst — yes; Commissioner Boatner — yes.

SCED appointments: Commissioners considered two recommended appointments to the South Central Kansas Economic Development (SCED) board. The commission approved Carissa Paxton (nominated by the City of Hutchinson for an at-large position related to housing) and Michelle Inskeep (Peoples Bank and Trust) as Reno County representatives to SCED. Commissioners noted the appointments were intended to ensure county representation on loan and housing committees that require financial/loan experience. Vote: Parks — yes; Vincent — yes; Winger — yes; Hurst — yes; Boatner — yes.

Health and dental premiums: Helen Foster, the county human resources director, presented the proposed 2025–26 health and dental premium schedule and related plan-design changes required by IRS rules for the qualified high-deductible health plan. Foster said vendors remain the same (TPA/medical network, pharmacy benefit manager and Delta Dental) and that the individual HDHP deductible will rise per IRS indexing. She asked the commission to adopt the premium schedule so open enrollment materials and the employee portal could be updated; the commission approved the recommended rates. Vote: Parks — yes; Vincent — yes; Winger — yes; Hurst — yes; Boatner — yes.

Consent agenda: Commissioners approved the consent agenda as presented by staff. The roll call vote was unanimous.

Ending: County staff said they will proceed with open enrollment, finalize the Kansas Workforce Area 1 agreement paperwork and notify SCED of the approved county representatives. Commissioners noted they expect staff to provide routine updates on these items as appropriate.","The Reno County Board of Commissioners approved a renewed chief elected official agreement with Kansas Workforce Area 1, confirmed two appointments to the South Central Economic Development (SCED) board and adopted 2025–26 health and dental premium rates. Commissioners also approved the consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Reno County approves agreement with Meadowlark to capture landfill gas for renewable natural gas

Highlands mayor tells Reno County majority of local poll favors spreading sewer bond payments across property tax rolls

Reno County commissioners approve workforce agreement, board appointments and 2025–26 insurance rates