Hutchinson local news summary

Council sets March special election for 0.75 percent sales tax

Finance director warns of service cuts without new revenue

Voters promised elimination of stormwater utility fee

Public hearing set for downtown STAR bond project

Manufacturing project receives bond approval and tax abatement

Building permit fees slashed to spur housing development

Council approves $10 million purchase of Sunoco water rights

Trash collection rates to increase amid split vote

Zoo master plan phase 1 design contract awarded

Commission approves $55,000 in opioid settlement funds for recovery services

Volunteer Center praised for Medicare Part D assistance

South Hutchinson annexation petition withdrawn following MOU

Council sets March special election for 0.75 percent sales tax

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The city council unanimously voted to place a 0.75 percent general retailer sales tax on the ballot for a special election scheduled for March 3, 2026. If approved by voters, the tax would take effect Oct. 1, 2026, and is projected to fund street maintenance, park improvements and stormwater projects for a 10-year term. City officials estimated the cost of the special election at approximately $43,000, a price the council deemed necessary to ensure funding is secured before the 2027 budget cycle begins.

Finance director warns of service cuts without new revenue

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During a presentation preceding the sales tax vote, Finance Director Angela Richard detailed a structural budget imbalance where expenditures are currently outpacing revenues by approximately $3 million. Richard warned that without the proposed sales tax, the city would face a choice between a 10-mill property tax increase or significant service cuts, potentially affecting police and fire staffing levels. The city's general fund reserves are currently projected to drop to $1.3 million by 2026, well below the recommended $7 million safety net.

Voters promised elimination of stormwater utility fee

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As a key component of the proposed sales tax initiative, city officials pledged to eliminate the current stormwater utility fee from residents' water bills if the sales tax passes. The new tax revenue would take over funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain mandates and drainage improvements currently covered by the fee. Officials stated that for the average resident, removing the fee would save approximately $57 annually, noting that the sales tax model shifts some of the financial burden to visitors and non-resident shoppers.

Public hearing set for downtown STAR bond project

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The council unanimously passed a resolution scheduling a public hearing for the Hutchinson STAR Bond Project Plan. The hearing is set for Jan. 20, 2026, following the Kansas Department of Commerce's approval of the project plan earlier this month. This hearing is a procedural requirement before the council can finalize the development agreement, which aims to use sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds to fund major tourism and entertainment developments in the district.

Manufacturing project receives bond approval and tax abatement

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council authorized the issuance of $2.935 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds for the Gunbros manufacturing project being developed by Selwyn Investments, LLC. The city acts as a conduit for the financing and bears no financial liability, but the arrangement allows the developer to access a 10-year property tax abatement. One of the project owners told the council the facility is expected to open in late January 2026. The measure passed 4-0 with one abstention.

Building permit fees slashed to spur housing development

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — To incentivize residential construction, the council voted to restructure and reduce building permit fees effective Jan. 1, 2026. Under the new fee schedule, permits for new homes under 2,000 square feet will be set at a flat rate of $800, a significant reduction from previous valuation-based fees. Building Official Jason Lady presented data showing the new rates would make Hutchinson more competitive with peer cities and lower the barrier to entry for developers constructing single-family homes.

Council approves $10 million purchase of Sunoco water rights

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In a move to secure future water resources, the council unanimously approved a $10 million contract to purchase water rights from Sunoco. The deal includes rights to approximately 5 million gallons per day, which represents a significant increase to the city's water portfolio. The city will acquire only the water rights, not the physical wells or infrastructure, to avoid liability for aging equipment. The purchase was previously budgeted and payments will be spread over three years.

Trash collection rates to increase amid split vote

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council approved a resolution increasing rates for garbage and trash collection by 2 percent for the upcoming year, in accordance with the city's contract with Stutzman Refuse Disposal. The rate hike will raise the cost of residential service from $11 to $11.22 per month. The measure passed 4-1.

Zoo master plan phase 1 design contract awarded

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council unanimously awarded an $84,000 contract to WDM Architects for design services related to Phase 1 of the zoo master plan. The project scope includes improvements to the train loop and the creation of new habitats for tortoises, kangaroos, Mexican wolves and peccaries. Zoo Director Nicole Mantz noted that the firm offered a cost-saving option by utilizing pre-engineered buildings for animal holding areas, and the project aims to be completed in time for the zoo's 40th anniversary.

Commission approves $55,000 in opioid settlement funds for recovery services

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission unanimously approved a request from the Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Oversight Committee to distribute $55,000 to the United Way of Reno County for Reno Connections. The funds, derived from a national settlement with pharmaceutical companies rather than local tax dollars, will support "warm handoff" services to assist individuals with opioid use disorder in navigating recovery resources. Commissioner Randy Parks requested that future reports include specific success rates and data on how the program serves rural areas outside of Hutchinson.

Volunteer Center praised for Medicare Part D assistance

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During a recent commission meeting, Commissioner Ron Hirst highlighted the work performed by the Volunteer Center, specifically noting their current efforts assisting seniors with Medicare Part D enrollment. Department of Aging and Public Transportation Director Kandace Bonnesen confirmed that volunteers are currently on-site assisting residents with the enrollment process during the open period. Hirst emphasized the value of the thousands of hours contributed by volunteers to county residents.

South Hutchinson annexation petition withdrawn following MOU

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — County Counselor Patrick Hoffman reported that a recent petition for annexation received from the City of South Hutchinson will not proceed to a public hearing. Hoffman explained that a memorandum of understanding signed last week by Reno County, Hutchinson and South Hutchinson regarding land development negates the need for the hearing. The petition has been effectively withdrawn.

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