Hutchinson – Week of June 22 2025
Economic Strategy Plan; County Sales Tax Hike?; New Emergency Building; Bonds for Upgrades; Sheriff's Tractor Approved
County-Wide Economic Strategy Plan Kicks Off with Public Input
County to Survey Voters on Potential Sales Tax Increase
County Approves New Emergency Management Building After Cost-Saving Redesigns
City to Issue $915,000 in Bonds for Street and Traffic Signal Upgrades
County Reverses Course, Approves Tractor for Sheriff’s Office After Debate
1. County-Wide Economic Strategy Plan Kicks Off with Public Input
Hutchinson and Reno County are embarking on a major economic-development strategic-planning process, the council learned Tuesday. Amy Holloway, founder of Aha! Strategy + Facilitation and the consultant leading the effort, outlined the five-month project designed to create a five-year roadmap for economic growth. The strategy will explore not only traditional business attraction and expansion but also key community issues like housing, childcare, and quality of place. Holloway announced a public forum to be held at Memorial Hall and encouraged all residents to participate in an online survey, which is open until July 1st, to ensure the final plan is tailored to the community’s needs and desires.
2. County to Survey Voters on Potential Sales Tax Increase
Reno County residents will soon be asked for their opinion on a potential county-wide sales tax. The commission approved spending $26,740 for Wichita State University to conduct a comprehensive survey of registered voters to gauge public appetite for a new tax and determine what services it should fund. The survey is a preliminary step before the county would seek required approval from the state legislature to raise the tax, a process that couldn’t happen until 2026. Officials hope the data will provide a clear picture of voter priorities on issues like economic development and property-tax relief, ensuring any future ballot measure aligns with public will.
3. County Approves New Emergency Management Building After Cost-Saving Redesigns
Reno County will move forward with building a new storage facility for the Emergency Management department, but not before stripping down the design to save money. The sole bid for the project came in at $386,980, with additional permitting and zoning fees pushing the total cost over $400,000. To lower the price, county staff worked with Richardson Brothers Construction to eliminate “non-essentials” like a half-bathroom and insulated garage doors, reducing the project cost by about $29,000. The approval was not without debate, as one commissioner voiced frustration over a $14,850 city zoning requirement for a privacy fence, calling the mandate “ridiculous”. The project was ultimately approved.
4. City to Issue $915,000 in Bonds for Street and Traffic Signal Upgrades
Taxpayers will see nearly a million dollars invested in local infrastructure after the council unanimously approved an ordinance to issue $915,000 in general-obligation bonds. The debt will finance two major projects slated to begin this year: comprehensive updates to traffic-signal controllers at numerous key intersections and significant improvements to arterial streets. Director of Finance Angela Richard noted that the city will strategically pay for a planned airport-parking-lot project with cash, allowing more of the bond funds to be dedicated to arterial-street maintenance, a move that also simplifies the bond’s tax status.
5. County Reverses Course, Approves Tractor for Sheriff’s Office After Debate
The Reno County Commission on Wednesday initially put the brakes on a $29,350 request from the Sheriff’s Office for a new tractor and mower, with some commissioners questioning if contracting the work would be cheaper. The board voted to table the decision pending more information. However, after a sergeant from the department arrived to clarify the equipment’s multi-use potential—including maintaining roads, clearing snow from a 75-car parking lot, and assisting with construction projects—the commission reconsidered. Convinced of its value beyond just mowing, the board held a new vote, rescinded the tabling motion, and unanimously approved the purchase from Schmidt & Sons, Inc.
Sponsors (click me!)
SUBSCRIBE TO GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!
Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OGVFOKNQU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHP7qU3c25E
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHP7qU3c25E
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OGVFOKNQU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHP7qU3c25E
GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL APP - FREE!
Contact: greg@loql.ai
