Hutchinson city council notifies recreation board of state investigation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council voted Tuesday to formally notify the Hutchinson Recreation Commission board that the agency and two of its affiliated nonprofits are under investigation by the state attorney general. Following a special meeting, Mayor Scott Meggers sent a letter to the six-member commission board after city officials realized the board had not been informed of subpoenas issued several weeks ago by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican.

The state subpoenas targeted the Recreation Commission, the Hutch Rec Foundation and the Dillon Nature Center Foundation. The council emphasized Tuesday that the municipal government itself is not under investigation and does not know the specific focus of the confidential state probe. While the city does not manage the daily operations of the recreation system, it maintains a continuing interest in the agency by appointing the commission's board members, setting its tax levy and receiving its annual audit.

The communication breakdown regarding the state subpoenas prompted the city to announce a shift in how the board will be governed moving forward. For years, a city council member has served on the recreation board instead of the city treasurer — a structure that aligned with the commission's bylaws but conflicted with Kansas state law. The city now plans to revert to the statutory requirement to ensure accurate record-keeping and better communication between the agencies. In its letter, the council also advised the recreation board to seek independent legal counsel, preserve all organizational records and consider finding independent oversight as it responds to the ongoing inquiry.

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