Reno County commissioners set June 24 hearings on Salt Lick Star Bond and CID plans, approve engagement letter for bond underwriting

Reno County Commission Chair opened a special meeting and said the session "is for the purpose of, to consider various resolutions of different projects as it concerns the Salt Lick project out east of Hutchinson in the county." The commission unanimously approved a set of resolutions calling public hearings on Star Bond project plans and on forming a three-phase Community Improvement District (CID) tied to the Salt Lick project, and acknowledged an engagement letter for bond underwriting.

Why it matters: The resolutions set formal public notice and schedule the hearings that will allow the county and project proponents to present plans for the Salt Lick (also referenced in the transcript as Salt Lake) Star Bond project, associated CID sales taxes and related financing. Approving the engagement letter begins the formal engagement of underwriters and fulfills statutory disclosure duties ahead of potential bond issuance.

At the meeting the chair read Resolution 2026-14, which provides notice of a public hearing to consider adoption of Star Bond project plans (described as the Salt Lick Star Bond project plans 1, 2 and 3). Staff on the call said the public hearing would be June 24 at 9:00 a.m. in the Veterans Room in the courthouse basement. A motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded; the clerk performed a roll call and Commissioners Parks, Vincent, Winger, Bogner and Hurst answered in the affirmative and the resolution passed by roll call.

The commission then considered Resolution 2026-15, calling a public hearing on the advisability of creating a CID and levy of a CID sales tax for "Salt Lick Phase 1," and subsequently approved Resolution 2026-16 (Salt Lick Phase 2) and Resolution 2026-17 (Salt Lick Phase 3). For each resolution, commissioners moved, seconded and approved the notices and hearings by roll call.

Commissioners also voted to acknowledge an engagement letter with Cruz and Associates "regarding the sales tax special obligation revenue bonds and community improvement district bonds concerning the Salt Lick Golf and Hunting Resort project." Staff explained the engagement letter hires the firm to handle underwriting work and noted that certain disclosures are required by statute; the commission moved, seconded and approved that acknowledgment.

Staff and counsel noted that representatives from the law firm Polsinelli (referred to in the transcript as "Bob and Ben from Polsonelli/Polcinelli") and project management were available on the call for questions. The chair reminded attendees that prior meetings included substantial discussion and invited the public to the June 24 hearings to hear the project plans and materials.

The commission concluded the business portion of the special meeting and proceeded into a scheduled study session on the county budget.

Actions at a glance: Resolutions 2026-14, 2026-15, 2026-16 and 2026-17 were approved and will be the subject of public hearings on June 24 at 9:00 a.m.; the commission also approved acknowledgment of the Cruz and Associates engagement letter to support underwriting for potential bonds.

Next steps: The public hearings are scheduled for June 24 at 9:00 a.m. in the Veterans Room in the courthouse basement; interested parties were invited to attend.