Reno County approves revised chief elected officials agreement with Kansas Workforce board

Reno County commissioners voted to approve a revised chief elected officials (CEO) agreement with the Kansas Workforce Investment Board for Local Area 1 after a presentation from Deb Scheidler, executive director for Kansas Workforce Area 1.

Scheidler told the commission the revisions clarify two main points required by recent state law changes: officially naming the CEO board that acts on behalf of the 62-county local area and incorporating bylaws into the agreement. She also identified the fiscal agent as Alan Gibson Hulick of Wichita and said the revised language helps the board ensure compliance with federal Department of Labor funding requirements. "We have served over a 1,118 people" in Reno County this year, Scheidler said, summarizing local program activity in job search assistance, training and employer services.

Commissioners asked how Workforce staff engage smaller employers; Scheidler said the office maintains a regional business account manager, can post jobs by phone and partners with Hutchinson Community College and the local chamber of commerce to reach employers. After brief discussion, a commissioner moved and the board approved the revised agreement by roll call.

Why it matters: the CEO agreement governs how federal workforce funds are administered locally and appoints county representation on a board that oversees training and employer services for a large rural region. The action preserves the countys ability to participate in workforce planning and ensures the fiscal agent and bylaws are explicitly documented.

Whats next: the countys appointed commissioner to the CEO board will represent Reno County in quarterly meetings and on conference calls between meetings.