Hutchinson City Council Summary
Week of July 8, 2026
Council approves temporary zoning regulations for data centers
Council signals intent to exceed revenue neutral rate, maintain flat mill levy
Public hearing set to modify Landmark Community Improvement District
City sets public hearings for Plum Creek assessments amid construction delays
City explores partnership to rehabilitate abandoned homes
City to pursue private sale of former IT building
Contract approved for water treatment plant bypass design
Council agrees to review fireworks restrictions in 4-1 vote
Hutchinson Police Department achieves state accreditation
Council approves temporary zoning regulations for data centers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council unanimously approved temporary zoning regulations for large-scale data centers and utility-scale battery energy storage systems. The rules require a conditional use permit in commercial and industrial districts, closing a loophole that previously allowed such facilities to be built by right without public hearings. Reservations were expressed during the meeting about the potential environmental and health impacts of data centers, but the temporary measure was approved to ensure the city can regulate incoming applications while the planning commission drafts permanent rules this summer.
Council signals intent to exceed revenue neutral rate, maintain flat mill levy
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In preparation for the upcoming budget, the city council voted to signal its intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate, setting a maximum mill levy of 42.096 mills. This rate would keep the city's property tax rate flat compared to the previous year, rather than dropping it to the revenue neutral rate of 40.945 mills. Director of Finance Angela Richard explained that approving the resolution gives the council flexibility over the next three months as it finalizes the budget, noting the council can still choose to lower the rate before final adoption.
Public hearing set to modify Landmark Community Improvement District
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 4 to modify the boundaries of the Community Improvement District for the Landmark building at 501 N. Main St. The modification will ensure the district's additional sales tax only applies to the commercial spaces on the main floor and excludes the residential tenants living in the building. Director of Finance Angela Richard noted that if the modification is passed before Oct. 1, residents will never be subjected to the tax, correcting an oversight from the original approval.
City sets public hearings for Plum Creek assessments amid construction delays
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council set July 21 public hearings for special assessments related to the Plum Creek residential development, though frustration was expressed over a lack of vertical construction. City staff noted the project has faced construction delays, which delays the Rural Housing Incentive District tax increments meant to pay off the city's bonds. The developer, Jim Strawn, attributed the slow progress to engineering delays, issues getting power to a $300,000 lift station, and a previous error on the city's website regarding Moderate Income Housing grant qualifications, noting only two homes have been sold so far.
City explores partnership to rehabilitate abandoned homes
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Building Official Jason Lady presented a potential pilot program utilizing the Kansas Abandoned Housing Act to combat blight and preserve the city's housing stock. If selected in July, Hutchinson will partner with Neighborhood Legal Support of Kansas City to help qualifying Kansas nonprofits petition district courts for temporary possession of abandoned, tax-delinquent properties. The nonprofits would then rehabilitate the structures for housing use, an alternative the city favors over the costly process of demolition.
City to pursue private sale of former IT building
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council authorized staff to begin the process of selling the former Information Technologies building at 220 S. Poplar St. via a private sale. Director of IT Todd Davis reported the building, located in a floodplain, has been vacated after staff relocated to City Hall, saving the city an estimated $20,000 annually in maintenance and utility costs. Under City Council Policy 14, staff will first approach the adjacent property owner — who purchased the rest of the former city campus in 2003 — to negotiate a potential sale before exploring other disposition methods.
Contract approved for water treatment plant bypass design
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council approved a $150,427 professional services contract for the design of a bypass system for the city's water treatment plant. Utilities Director David Guinn explained that the city currently has only an eight-hour water supply in its towers and clear well if the reverse osmosis plant goes offline. The bypass system will allow the city to route and chemically treat water directly from its wells into the distribution system, preventing the need for a boil advisory during emergencies or major water main breaks.
Council agrees to review fireworks restrictions in 4-1 vote
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council voted 4-1 to place a discussion on a future agenda regarding potential restrictions on the sale and discharge of fireworks within city limits. The review was proposed citing extensive overtime and strain on the Hutchinson Fire Department and dispatchers over the Fourth of July holiday. The motion passed with one dissenting vote against bringing the issue forward for future debate.
Hutchinson Police Department achieves state accreditation
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department was formally recognized for receiving accreditation through the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The June 10 accreditation marks the culmination of a three-year effort led by accreditation manager Michelle Patton and Capt. Dayton Gates to align the department's policies, training and daily operations with recognized professional standards. Police Chief Brice Burlie praised the agency-wide teamwork, noting the achievement demonstrates the department's commitment to transparency and public trust.
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