Hutchinson local news summary

City issues $11 million in notes to finance water rights purchase

Council approves $1.82 million bond for bridge and traffic signal upgrades

Prairieland Partners gains annexation for major expansion, HCC partnership

Mayor pushes for stricter vetting of city contractors

Council addresses traffic safety concerns at hospital, middle school

Horizons reports rising demand for services

Horizons moves adult services team downtown

Concerns raised over potential battery storage facility

County clarifies process for proposed energy facility

Wifco Steel reports growth, adds jobs amid diversification

Local businesses earn state ‘To the Stars’ awards

City issues $11 million in notes to finance water rights purchase

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The City Council has authorized issuing nearly $11 million in temporary notes to finance the purchase of water rights for the city. The council approved the sale of $10,960,000 in general obligation temporary notes to Robert W. Baird & Co., which offered the lowest interest rate of 3.37 percent. Finance Director Angela Richard reported that the bids were highly competitive. The favorable rate allowed the city to reduce the total amount of the notes from the originally planned $11.4 million. The temporary notes will provide the short-term financing needed to secure the critical water resources for the city’s future.

Council approves $1.82 million bond for bridge and traffic signal upgrades

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The City Council on Tuesday approved the issuance of $1.82 million in general obligation bonds to fund repairs to the Avenue C bridge and for city-wide traffic signal improvements. The bond sale was awarded to UMB Bank, which offered the most competitive bid with a 3.85 percent interest rate. The favorable rate allowed the city to reduce the total amount of the note, according to Finance Director Angela Richard. The funds will be directed toward critical infrastructure maintenance and modernization projects.

Prairieland Partners gains annexation for major expansion, HCC partnership

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the annexation of nearly seven acres of land for Prairieland Partners, paving the way for a major expansion at its facility at K-61 and U.S. 50. A representative for the company said the project includes a 60,000-square-foot addition with 20 new service bays. In a significant local partnership, the expansion will house a dedicated training facility for Hutchinson Community College’s agricultural technician program. The college will have two classrooms, offices and four dedicated service bays within the new building, creating a pipeline for John Deere certified technicians. “There’s two ways to get technicians,” a company official told the council. “You either grow them or steal them, and we found that it’s easier to grow them.”

Mayor pushes for stricter vetting of city contractors

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Mayor Stacy Goss has directed city staff to draft new language for the city’s special assessment policy to ensure individuals and companies receiving city contracts are in good standing. The proposed change would require the city to verify that potential contractors are current on property taxes and have no outstanding code violations before being awarded bids or benefits like Industrial Revenue Bonds. “It's to make the city whole if you want further breaks,” City Manager Kendal Francis explained. The policy change aims to ensure that the city partners with responsible community members and businesses.

Council addresses traffic safety concerns at hospital, middle school

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Mayor Stacy Goss has requested the city’s engineering department review two areas of traffic safety concern. The first is the southernmost driveway of the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center on Waldron Street, where traffic does not have a stop sign. Goss noted that with increased traffic from new developments, the intersection could pose a risk to visitors. The second request is for an additional crosswalk signal at Hutchinson Middle School – 7, where pedestrians crossing Maple Street reportedly cannot see the traffic signal. Staff confirmed they are looking into both issues.

Horizons reports rising demand for services

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Horizons Mental Health Center is serving a growing number of residents, CEO Vikki Mader told commissioners Tuesday. Mader reported that the center finished its fiscal year with a $1.2 million positive operating margin. Mader also noted that demand for services continues to climb, with the center serving 300 more individuals in the last quarter compared to the same period last year. She added that Horizons’ crisis response team is among the busiest in Kansas.

Horizons moves adult services team downtown

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Horizons Mental Health Center has relocated its adult community services team to a downtown building in Hutchinson, CEO Vikki Mader said in her quarterly update. The move is intended to make services more accessible to the populations they serve in the downtown area and allow for quicker response times. The new location will serve as a hub for appointments and support for adults needing community-based mental health services.

Concerns raised over potential battery storage facility

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - A potential battery energy storage facility is already drawing concern from residents, commissioners said Tuesday. During his report, Commissioner Ron Vincent said he has received calls from constituents worried about the fire safety of such a facility, comparing it to hard-to-extinguish electric vehicle fires. Chairman Don Bogner echoed the need for caution, stating the commission would require significant education on the technology and safety regulations before considering any project. The discussion was the first public mention of the potential development at a commission meeting.

County clarifies process for proposed energy facility

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Following commissioners’ comments about a potential battery storage facility, County Counselor Patrick Hoffman clarified that no formal application has been submitted to the county. Hoffman stated that a company had a preliminary meeting with the county’s planning and zoning department simply to inquire about the process. He assured the commission and the public that if a formal application is ever filed, it would go through the standard public hearing and review process, which includes evaluations of fire safety and environmental impact. Hoffman emphasized the county is in the very early stages of information gathering.

Wifco Steel reports growth, adds jobs amid diversification

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Wifco Steel Products is diversifying its business beyond the oil and gas industry, leading to new investment and added jobs, a company representative reported Tuesday. The company has brought on roughly two dozen employees this year and is on track for additional hiring, fueled by new contracts in sectors such as automotive and construction. Wifco is investing heavily in new capital equipment, including an additional high-powered laser cutter. The update was provided during the consent agenda, which the commission approved 5-0.

Local businesses earn state ‘To the Stars’ awards

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Several Reno County businesses were recognized for excellence by the Kansas Department of Commerce, Commissioner Richard Winger announced Tuesday. Winger congratulated regional winners of the To the Stars business awards, including Kansas Ethanol and Wray & Sons Roofing. He noted that Wifco Steel Products and other local companies also received merit or category recognition.

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