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 staffing requirement under state statute KSA 65-201 by appointing a physician to serve as medical consultant to the county health officer. Carla Nichols, director of public health, briefed the board and said the role "is to fulfill the requirement on KSA 65-201." The board voted to accept the application of the physician who addressed the commissioners and indicated she would assume the duties if approved. The appointment carried on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes.

Facilities Director Kyle Stewart presented a competitive bid to replace 2,112 incandescent lamps at the Reno County Correctional Facility with LED fixtures. Stewart recommended a $34,486.65 contract with Salt City Electric and said Evergy offers an energy-savings reimbursement that would reduce the county's net cost; Stewart said the county anticipates receiving about $6,500 back from Evergy on completion, bringing the net project cost to just under $28,000. Stewart and others cited an estimated payback or return on investment period of about 18 months if the upgrade proceeds.

On solid-waste fees, staff reviewed Kansas law allowing fees to be assessed either on tonnage delivered to a landfill or via the tax roll. After study, the board voted to continue the county's current practice of placing the landfill fee on the property tax bill and to review the fee amount annually as part of the budget process. Staff explained taking out-of-county tonnage into the landfill helps keep Reno County's resident fee lower than it would otherwise be.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of Resolution 2025-03, Reno County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan: Motion moved and seconded; roll call vote 5-0; outcome: approved. (Public comment in support: Deborah Tufel, Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce.)

- Appointment of medical consultant to satisfy KSA 65-201: Motion moved and seconded to accept the physician's application; roll call vote 5-0; outcome: approved. (Recommendation presented by Carla Nichols, Director of Public Health.)

- Contract award for LED lighting replacement at the Reno County Correctional Facility: Motion moved to approve Salt City Electric bid of $34,486.65; motion seconded; roll call vote 5-0; outcome: approved. Funding source: sheriff's jail commissary fund (per discussion). Estimated rebate from Evergy: approximately $6,500; net cost to county: reported as just under $28,000; payback period estimated at about 18 months.

- Resolution to continue solid-waste fee collection on the property tax roll (status quo): Motion moved and seconded; roll call vote 5-0; outcome: approved. Staff will continue annual fee review during the budget process.

What it means

Commissioners characterized the neighborhood revitalization plan as a county-level incentive intended to encourage housing development across all communities in Reno County. The medical consultant appointment fulfills a statutory requirement for oversight of the health department. The jail lighting project is intended both to improve workplace conditions and to reduce electricity costs; the board accepted the low local bid and noted the funding will come from the sheriff's special fund. Continuing solid-waste fees on the tax roll preserves the county's current administrative approach and keeps fee review tied to the annual budget process.

Next steps

Staff said the county will implement the NRP portion adopted by the county and will continue to solicit participation from other taxing entities. The facilities department will coordinate project execution for the jail lighting and submit paperwork to Evergy to secure the stated energy rebate. The health department will complete any remaining onboarding steps with the medical consultant. Commissioners will review landfill fee rates during the usual budget timeline.