Commission reverses course, approves Superior Boiler job incentive

Dissenting commissioner cites low county wages in incentive debate

Commission orders review of county job incentive policy

Pending state bill could cost Reno County $1.2 million

Commissioners push back against state attempts to limit local control

Commission cautions against data center moratorium

Youth Services highlights educational and employment successes

Grant bridges healthcare gap for youth in detention

Nominations sought for special parks fund committee

Commission reverses course, approves Superior Boiler job incentive

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - The Reno County Commission voted 4-1 to approve a letter of intent for a job creation incentive for Superior Boiler, reversing a previous denial. Superior Boiler plans to hire up to 100 new employees, with the county's economic development policy providing $1,500 per job paying over $21 an hour. A condition was added to the approval ensuring the company cannot use two different incentive pools to fund a single position. A company executive noted Superior Boiler recently hired 39 local workers at an average wage of $24 an hour, complete with full family insurance benefits.

Dissenting commissioner cites low county wages in incentive debate

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - One commissioner cast the sole dissenting vote against the Superior Boiler job incentive, arguing the county should not subsidize private businesses that pay more than the county can afford to pay its own workforce. The commissioner noted that some Reno County employees are making below the poverty level, referencing a recent human resources report where county staff sought financial counseling just to get by. "It isn't to try to foster business. It's to take care of our own first and then look outside if we need to help others," the commissioner said, expressing concern over spending taxpayer money to incentivize corporate wages.

Commission orders review of county job incentive policy

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Following the contentious debate over the Superior Boiler funding, the Reno County Commission reached a consensus to overhaul its economic development job incentive program. Commissioners agreed the current policy, which they inherited from previous boards, needs modernization to ensure fairness and competitiveness with neighboring communities. County Administrator Randy Partington and staff will review the guidelines and present suggested updates at a future meeting to better align the incentives with current budget constraints and a changing local economy.

Pending state bill could cost Reno County $1.2 million

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - County Administrator Randy Partington warned the commission that a pending state bill, currently moving through the Kansas Legislature, could strip approximately $1.2 million from the county's budget. The bill would transfer those funds to the city, leaving the county to face a significant revenue shortfall. One commissioner noted that losing such a large sum would likely force the county to raise its mill levy, a move that contradicts state lawmakers' simultaneous demands for local governments to remain revenue-neutral and avoid tax hikes.

Commissioners push back against state attempts to limit local control

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Reno County commissioners voiced strong opposition to pending legislation (House Bills 2745 and 2728) in Topeka that would strip local governments of their zoning and planning authorities. One commissioner, who recently visited the Statehouse, warned that state lawmakers are attempting to dictate how counties manage controversial developments like battery storage and data centers. "They continue to take more and more power out of our hands to do anything here locally," the commissioner said, urging the board and local citizens to lobby their state representatives to preserve county-level decision-making.

Commission cautions against data center moratorium

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Despite a flood of emails from constituents, Reno County commissioners signaled they will not support a moratorium on data center and battery storage developments. One commissioner argued a moratorium would act as a "stop sign" to economic growth in the county. Instead, the board expressed a preference for utilizing conditional use permits (CUPs). Commissioners noted that a CUP process allows the county to strictly evaluate and regulate each project individually, offering better taxpayer and environmental protections than blanket regulations that might overlook specific issues.

Youth Services highlights educational and employment successes

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - The Reno County Youth Services department presented its annual report, highlighting significant positive milestones for youth living in the Bob Johnson Youth Shelter. According to Youth Services Director Joe Hammeke, 90 percent of shelter youth are currently attending public schools. The department celebrated several recent successes, including eighth-grade promotions, one high school graduation and several youths successfully securing local employment. Additionally, youth logged numerous community service hours over the summer, volunteering at local soup kitchens and Meals on Wheels programs.

Grant bridges healthcare gap for youth in detention

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - Reno County Youth Services announced it has secured a grant from the Kansas Department of Corrections to provide crucial mental health and substance abuse therapies to juveniles held in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center. Youth Services Director Joe Hammeke explained that youth lose their state medical coverage once they are detained past 30 days and turned over to the Kansas Department of Corrections, abruptly halting their access to care. Because some youth facing high-level felony charges wait in detention for up to two years as their cases move through the courts, the new grant funding ensures they receive court-ordered therapy without relying on private insurance.

Nominations sought for special parks fund committee

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - County Administrator Randy Partington requested the commission nominate community members to serve on a newly formed Special Parks and Recreation Fund committee. The citizen committee will be responsible for reviewing grant applications from three or four local cities seeking financial assistance for municipal park projects. The grant funds are generated entirely through local alcohol taxes rather than property taxes. The committee is expected to review the applications this month and present its funding recommendations to the commission in April.

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