Reno County commissioners voted Nov. 26 to adopt a memorandum of understanding with the cities of Hutchinson and South Hutchinson and utility Evergy that defers annexation of a specified Evergy project site until construction is completed and establishes continued intergovernmental coordination on services.

An unidentified county official who described the draft told commissioners the agreement grew out of several joint meetings and conversations among city and county staff and Evergy’s representatives. “The idea was to have everyone adopt it as soon as possible,” the official said, describing the document as a way to ensure the three jurisdictions collaborate on road plans and service responsibilities as the project moves forward.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the MOU between the city of Hutchinson, the city of South Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, and Evergy regarding non‑annexation of specified land; Speaker 6 seconded the motion. After a brief exchange of appreciation for cooperative leadership among the parties, the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The memorandum, as summarized at the meeting, would: pause any city annexation actions concerning the Evergy site while construction is underway; commit the three local governments to continue negotiating which party will deliver specified services; and provide a framework for further technical coordination on road and infrastructure plans. Commissioners said the measure is intended to provide certainty to the developer and to allow local governments to finish detailed plans.

The board did not provide a printed vote tally on the record. The motion passed and the county will add the MOU to the municipal partners’ agendas for their consideration.

Next steps noted at the meeting: city councils in South Hutchinson and Hutchinson will consider the same MOU at upcoming meetings, and county staff will continue technical work on service assignments and road plans tied to the project. No dates for further county action on the site were announced at the meeting.