Reno County commissioners adopt neighborhood revitalization plan, appoint medical consultant and approve jail lighting upgrade

The Reno County Board of County Commissioners on 2025-02-04 voted to adopt a countywide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, appoint a medical consultant to advise the public health officer, approve a contract to replace lighting at the Reno County Correctional Facility and to continue collecting solid-waste fees on the property tax roll.

The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, adopted as Resolution 2025-03, passed unanimously following a public hearing in which Deborah Tufel, president of the Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce, told commissioners the plan would create countywide incentives for new housing development. "Housing has certainly been identified as a major need in our county and the neighborhood revitalization plan is a tool that would help provide some incentive for new development of housing across Reno County," Tufel said.

The plan as adopted covers only the county's tax rebate portion; staff told commissioners the county will continue outreach to other taxing entities (school districts and colleges) about possible participation via interlocal agreements. Commissioners and staff emphasized the county's chosen structure rebates only the county portion unless other entities opt in.

The board also acted on a health-department…