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

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.