Reno County commissioners appoint medical consultant, adopt neighborhood revitalization plan, approve jail lighting and confirm solid-waste fee process

The Reno County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously at a public meeting to appoint a medical consultant for the health department, adopt the Reno County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and approve a contract to replace lighting at the Reno County Correctional Facility, while also formally confirming continuing the county's current solid-waste fee collection method.

County public health director Carla Nichols told commissioners the appointment is required under Kansas statute KSA 65-201 and recommended a local physician for the role. "With the resignation of Doctor Marshall at the end of 2024, the health department is asking the board of county commissioners to appoint a replacement medical consultant to fulfill that requirement," Nichols said. The board then voted to accept the application and appoint Dr. Loso as medical consultant by roll call; each commissioner recorded a "yes."

The board also held a public hearing and adopted resolution 2025-03 to create a countywide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Deborah Tufel, president of the Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the measure, saying it would be a countywide tool to encourage new housing and development. County staff told commissioners the county's adoption covers the county portion of tax rebates; other taxing entities such as school districts would have the option to join later by interlocal agreement. Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution; the result was unanimous.

Facilities director Kyle Stewart presented a purchasing recommendation to replace about 2,112 bulbs at the county jail with LED fixtures. Stewart said the project was expected to repay itself within an 18-month return-on-investment window and that Evergy offers a rebate program. The board approved a $34,486.65 contract with Salt City Electric; the project will be funded from the sheriff's jail commissary funds, not the county general fund.

On solid-waste collection, staff summarized a recent study and recommended continuing to collect the landfill fee on the property tax roll (the tax-billing option allowed under Kansas law) rather than switching to a tonnage-based billing change. The board adopted a resolution to continue the current fee collection approach. Staff noted that tonnage rates are reviewed annually as part of the budget process and that out-of-county fee levels may be revisited in the spring budget review.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment of medical consultant (Dr. Loso): motion carried; roll-call vote recorded as Parks, Vincent, Winger, Hurst, Bogner — all "yes." No abstentions recorded. - Resolution 2025-03, Reno County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan: adopted unanimously. - Contract award to Salt City Electric, $34,486.65, to convert Reno County Correctional Facility lighting to LED: approved unanimously. Evergy rebate estimated at about $6,500 to be applied after project completion; funding source is sheriff's commissary fund. - Solid-waste fee collection method (continue collection via property tax roll / status quo): adopted unanimously; fee amounts to be reviewed during the annual budget process.

Each of the approved motions was made, seconded and carried by roll call with no disqualifications or recusals recorded. Commissioners did not attach additional conditions to the motions at the time of the votes.

Looking ahead, staff said the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan will be implemented for the county portion immediately, and county staff will contact other taxing entities to discuss possible participation. The solid-waste fee amounts themselves will be evaluated again during the county's April fee review and budget process.