Hutchinson city officials outlined a series of efficiency measures and cost-saving steps they say are strengthening the city’s financial position while&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;essential services and advancing key projects.&nbsp;

City Manager Enrico Villegas and Mayor Scott Magers discussed the initiatives during a recent public appearance, emphasizing that budget adjustments have gone beyond delaying projects to include structural and operational changes across departments.&nbsp;

Among the measures highlighted was the relocation of the city’s information technology department. By&nbsp;consolidating&nbsp;IT staff from an external facility into City Hall, the city reduced facility-related expenses, generating an estimated $20,000 in annual savings.&nbsp;

Villegas said city officials also reevaluated the scope of a proposed neighborhood park project. Originally estimated at $750,000, the project was scaled back to approximately $100,000 while preserving its core functionality. Villegas said the adjustment significantly reduced upfront costs without eliminating the&nbsp;amenity.&nbsp;

Villegas noted that the City Council has engaged in ongoing discussions about major capital projects, including the future of Memorial Hall, describing those debates as a healthy part of fiscal oversight. He said council members routinely examine whether projects are appropriately timed and cost-effective.&nbsp;

In staffing, eight or nine city positions that became vacant due to retirements or attrition were left unfilled after review.&nbsp;Officials said efficiencies in workflow allowed departments to absorb the duties without replacing the roles.&nbsp;

The city also removed traffic signals at two intersections, producing an estimated $2,900 in annual savings from reduced electricity,&nbsp;maintenance&nbsp;and equipment costs.&nbsp;

Water system improvements yielded notable operational gains. In 2025, the city reported saving&nbsp;117 million gallons&nbsp;of water compared with 2024 by proactively addressing maintenance and hydraulic system issues. Officials said the number of water main breaks dropped to about 40 last year, down from an average closer to 90 in previous years. Crews now respond to main breaks within an hour of notification, compared with delays of weeks in prior years attributed to staffing and organizational challenges.&nbsp;

Through coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, the city achieved approximately $200,000 in annual savings related to work at a local Superfund site while continuing to meet environmental standards.&nbsp;

City leaders also cited reductions in required stormwater floodplain mapping. Proposed Federal Emergency Management Agency maps were scaled back by&nbsp;roughly 55%, lowering associated costs and long-term obligations while&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;regulatory compliance. Officials said the city could have opted to leave flood insurance matters entirely to property owners but chose to pursue a coordinated approach.&nbsp;

Additional&nbsp;savings were realized by bringing engineering services in-house and reducing reliance on outside consultants, with potential annual savings of up to $300,000 if full staffing levels are&nbsp;maintained.&nbsp;

Public safety improvements were also noted. With the police department fully staffed, overall crime decreased by&nbsp;nearly 13%, according to city data.&nbsp;

Beyond operational efficiencies, the city implemented several community-focused initiatives. During a recent SNAP funding crisis, Hutchinson suspended late fees on utility bills and created a utility billing&nbsp;assistance&nbsp;program for residents struggling to pay water and sewer charges.&nbsp;

The city also launched a façade improvement grant program to&nbsp;assist&nbsp;commercial property owners, reduced commercial building&nbsp;permit&nbsp;fees by 50% to encourage reinvestment, and waived water and sewer tap fees for residential construction to support housing affordability.&nbsp;

Officials pointed to adjustments in funding for improvements at the municipal golf course as another example of fiscal stewardship. Funds originally&nbsp;allocated&nbsp;years ago for a project at Orchard Park were redirected to the golf course, reducing the amount of general obligation bonds&nbsp;required. A private donation further offset costs.&nbsp;

Villegas said the golf course master plan has been included in the city’s capital improvement plan since 2008 and was approved years ago, pushing back on recent criticism that the project&nbsp;represents&nbsp;wasteful spending.&nbsp;

City leaders said the collective measures reflect a broader effort to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly while&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;services and advancing long-term priorities.&nbsp;

Villegas, Meggers discuss efficiency and cost-saving steps

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Doctors said Chase Kear would not survive his catastrophic head injury. Today, what doctor's called a miraculous recovery is part of the Catholic Church’s investigation into the canonization of a new saint.

During his sophomore year at Hutchinson Community College, a pole vault attempt sent Chase soaring beyond the landing pit from about 14 feet in the air.

"My legs hit the back edge of the pit, and that whiplashed my head into the ground. I fractured my skull from ear to ear across the front," Chase said. "The next day, they removed portions of my skull to allow my brain to swell, parts that were already essentially dead."

Chase was born in Hays and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, now Holy Family Elementary, before his family relocated to Colwich for better opportunities. His father worked at the K-State Ag Research Center, and his mother taught at St. Mary Catholic School in Ellis.

Chase’s father, Paul Kear, competed in pole vault for a season at Fort Hays State University. When Chase began running track in seventh grade, he also chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and take up pole vaulting himself.

"I started when I was about 12 years old, and I actually took third at state in my senior year of high school," he said.

Chase graduated from Andale High School in 2007 and, after earning a scholarship, enrolled at Hutchinson Community College to study firefighting.

On Oct. 2, 2008, early into his second year of college at age 19, Chase’s life changed forever.

"I remember standing on the runway, bringing all my power and energy down the runway. I jumped off the ground, and the pole just slipped like butter," he said.

Chase described it as the pole overflexing, causing it to react oddly and propel him outward while he was more than a dozen feet in the air.

"I remember the thought going through my head, this could be really good or really bad. I saw the back edge of the pit coming, and I had a split second to determine how much space I had. 'Am I even going to land on the mat?'" he said. "I turned to land on my back, proper form, and then I hit my head. I saw a white flash."

In his final moments of consciousness before blacking out, Chase said he reached up to his head and felt his fractured skull shift.

A helicopter landed on the football field and airlifted him to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. The next day, surgeons removed a third of his skull and about 10% of his frontal lobe.

Chase’s family began praying immediately after the accident. By the next morning, after doctors told them he was not expected to survive, they specifically began praying for the intercession of Fr. Emil Kapaun.

"That was just something our parish did," Paula Kear, Chase's mother, said. "We prayed before Mass for the sick to Fr. Kapaun."

<a href="https://frkapaun.org/about/">Kapaun was a Roman Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain born April 20, 1916 — Holy Thursday — in Pilsen</a>.&nbsp;He risked his life during the Korean War to rescue wounded soldiers and administer the sacraments on the battlefield.

Kapaun died in 1951 after being taken prisoner, where his fellow prisoners of war later credited him with saving countless lives through his leadership and example.

Before long, Chase began improving, surprising medical professionals and leaving them speechless at how he was surviving such a life-threatening injury.

"Two non-Catholic doctors, my surgeon being one of them, used the word miraculous," Chase said. "When two of the doctors who cared for me said they can't explain it, it was a miracle. That's really all I need to know."

After 19 days in the hospital, Chase entered rehabilitation, weakened but determined to recover the abilities he had lost in the accident.

"I couldn't walk... all the things we take for granted, simple things like picking up a fork, putting a bite in your mouth, and how to swallow. I had to relearn everything," he said.

After having a plate placed in his skull in December 2008, he returned to classes online in January 2009, just three months after his near-death experience, before going back to Hutchinson Community College in person the following school year.

A year and a half after his injury, Chase said he felt he had unfinished business in pole vaulting. He returned to the same spot where his life had changed forever and attempted another vault, only this time successfully completing it.

"I had to get back on the horse to prove to myself that I wasn't less the man I was before the injury. I wasn't letting anything hold me back, especially fear," Chase said.

Chase changed his major and ultimately earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2014 before transferring to FHSU that same year. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis in public relations in May 2018.

Before the accident, Chase said faith was part of his life, but afterward it became central to who he is. He added that he attended the Comeau Catholic Campus Center while at FHSU.

"Call it a renewal of spirit. My faith life is very much stronger," he said.

Chase did not return to pole vaulting during the remainder of his school years, but he did coach the sport for one season at Thomas More Prep-Marian while he was a student.

After graduating from FHSU in 2018, he worked at Spirit AeroSystems and later earned a degree in structural aircraft assembly from Wichita Area Technical College, now Wichita State University Tech.

"In summary, when it comes to schooling, I have three collegiate degrees, and I'm missing 10% of my brain. All three degrees were achieved post-injury," Chase said.

On Oct. 2, 2021, 13 years after his near-fatal accident, Chase began a new chapter when he married his wife. The couple later welcomed three sons and resides in Colwich.

However, that same week, after 70 years away, Kapaun finally returned home to Kansas.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ce615860-14d4-4772-b63d-54725b0cab5e">On March 4, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported that the remains of Emil Kapaun were positively identified.</a>

When the Korean War began in 1950, Kapaun was deployed to the battlefield, risking his life to help soldiers and bury the dead, all while under the threat of gunfire.

That same year, he chose to remain with wounded soldiers rather than retreat. Captured by Chinese forces, Kapaun was marched to a North Korean prison camp, where he became the spiritual and physical support for fellow prisoners.&nbsp;

In 1951, weakened by pneumonia and a blood clot, he was taken to the camp's "Death House," where he died at age 35. His fellow prisoners credited him with saving countless lives through his leadership and example.

Kapaun was named a “Servant of God,” the first step towards canonization, by the church in 1993. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/23ecf4b8-eb5e-46da-82d6-71fd76942bb2">His remains were returned to Kansas in September 2021 and were laid to rest inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita</a>, three days before Cahse's wedding.

"It was something I always hoped that I'd see, but I didn't know that I ever would. It seemed like such a long shot that he would ever come home," Chase said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c78f7b8d-078e-4ef3-82bf-d2e0a7eb5ca9">In February 2025, Pope Francis officially declared Emil Kapaun “Venerable,” marking the second step in the Catholic Church’s path toward sainthood.</a>

The next step is beatification, when he would be declared “Blessed,” which requires confirmation of a miracle attributed to his intercession. A second verified miracle would then be needed for canonization, after which the pope could formally declare him a saint.

"That'd be a great day," Chase said regarding Kaupan potentially being canonized. "It'd be amazing and indescribable. I don't know how to put it into words."

The Diocese of Wichita is currently providing information to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding two alleged miracles, one of which involves Chase.

While Chase was in rehab, Father John Hotze of Wichita learned of his unexplained recovery and began investigating the case before later submitting it to the dicastery.

Chase had little familiarity with Kapaun before his accident, but was first introduced to him when Kapaun’s brother, Eugene Kapaun, spoke to his eighth-grade religion class.

After the accident, Chase began looking deeper into the life of the man his parish and family were praying to for his intercession.

When surgeons removed portions of Chase’s brain, they also removed areas typically associated with the ability to draw. Below is a picture Chase completed in 57 minutes.

"It's kind of a visual representation of the miracle," Chase said.

Chase said his family has not received any recent updates on the investigation into his case. The official cause for the Sainthood of Kapaun can be followed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/fatherkapaun">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to its <a href="https://frkapaun.org/">website</a>, you can help with the canonization of Kapaun through prayer and spreading his story.

For anyone facing a life-altering challenge like his, Chase offered this advice: “Keep your faith and keep moving forward, even when you're falling 10 steps back, keep moving forward.”

A miracle: Former HutchCC pole vaulter's survival could be part of priest's sainthood

A Reno County nonprofit that began in a janitor’s closet in the 1970s is moving into a new shared facility designed to better serve residents in need.

First Call for Help is relocating to partner with the Food Bank of Reno County, creating what leaders describe as a one-stop community hub at the food bank’s site near Fourth and Severance in Hutchinson.

“We are so excited,” said Marilyn Graham, executive director of First Call for Help. “I think this would be the answer to Susie Christopher’s dream.”

Graham credited founder Susie Christopher, who started the organization at Memorial Hall with basic hygiene supplies for struggling families. Decades later, the nonprofit operates a wide range of programs assisting Reno County residents.

The move places First Call for Help alongside the Food Bank of Reno County, allowing clients to address multiple needs in one location.

“The food bank will address food needs, and we will pick up with medication, hygiene and other basic supports,” Graham said. “It will benefit the people who need it most.”

Graham said requests for help have increased significantly in recent years, particularly for prescription medications and hygiene products. The organization now refers to its personal hygiene packages as “dignity kits.”

“People are asking, ‘Do you have soap? Do you have shampoo? Do you have deodorant?’” she said. “The request for help has doubled in the last couple of years, which is frightening.”

First Call for Help is entirely donor-funded and assists with a variety of needs, including eviction prevention, utility shutoffs, out-of-town medical travel, back-to-school supplies and holiday programs such as Teen Christmas. The organization also provides bicycles when possible and connects clients to other local resources if it cannot directly meet a need.

“If we can’t help you, we’re going to listen to your story and find out who can,” Graham said. “Everybody has a story.”

Graham has led the nonprofit for 10 years, initially serving as interim director. Before that, she spent 40 years at Lincoln Elementary School and another decade with the Hutchinson Community Foundation.

“I truly love to help people,” she said. “There are so many problems in our world. Start at home.”

She acknowledged that some residents may not see the level of need in Reno County but said many families live paycheck to paycheck and are one emergency away from financial crisis.

“They’re within 50 cents of that cusp of being considered in poverty,” Graham said. “They’re trying so hard.”

She recalled a woman the organization helped years ago who later returned to donate 49 cents — all she could spare — after finding stable employment.

“I never deposited that,” Graham said. “It’s on my desk. Every morning, the first thing I see is that 49 cents.”

Donations may be mailed to First Call for Help at P.O. Box 2203, Hutchinson. Financial gifts can be designated for specific programs. Immediate needs include hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo and laundry detergent.

Graham encouraged residents to support local nonprofits and remain attentive to neighbors who may be struggling.

“Keep your eyes open to the need,” she said. “Find your passion and help where you can.”

First Call for Help making move to new location

Hutchinson Community College will host its 14th annual Pink Out basketball games Saturday, raising money for the Cancer Council of Reno County while honoring those impacted by cancer.

The Blue Dragons will face Pratt Community College, with the women’s game tipping off at 2 p.m. and the men’s game to follow. Proceeds from Pink Out T-shirt sales and donations will directly benefit the Cancer Council of Reno County.

HutchCC Athletic Director Josh Gooch said the event has become one of the department’s most meaningful traditions.

“It’s a big game for the Blue Dragons because it’s the next one on the schedule,” Gooch said. “But certainly this game is for far larger, greater things. We look forward to raising good funds and putting it to a good cause.”

Pink Out shirts are available for a suggested $10 donation at the HutchCC Sports Arena athletic office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday and during the games Saturday. Shirts are also available at Midwest Superstore. Organizers said many supporters collect a shirt each year, helping grow the fundraiser’s impact.

Funds raised go directly back into the community, according to Ashley Thompson, the Executive Director of the Cancer Council of Reno County.

“We take those funds and turn them around and directly impact our community members,” said Thompson. “Think of the things insurance does not cover — out-of-pocket expenses that are unexpected but still necessary as you’re going through treatment. We try to cover that gap.”

The event carries special significance this year for HutchCC, as longtime sports information director Steve Carpenter has been undergoing cancer treatment. Gooch said the college community has seen firsthand the importance of the council’s work.

“When it’s somebody that you work with, somebody who’s been so heavily involved in helping this event run, it hits a little closer to home,” Gooch said. “We really appreciate the Cancer Council of Reno County for what they’ve done for Steve during this time.”

Saturday’s games will also include tributes to those affected by cancer, including a video honoring former Blue Dragon Tiana Mangakahia, who later became a standout player at Syracuse University before her death from cancer.

Gooch said Pink Out games have become common across the country as teams wear pink accents, jerseys and whistles to raise awareness. At HutchCC, the tradition has grown into a major community partnership involving the college, the Cancer Council of Reno County and Midwest Superstore.

“We couldn’t fulfill our mission without them,” Thompson said. “They allow us to do the work that we do.”

Organizers encourage fans to wear pink — or this year’s predominantly blue shirts with pink accents — and arrive early to support the cause.

“There won’t be a dry eye in the house,” Gooch said. “We want to rally together — to breathe fire on wiping out cancer and supporting those navigating their trial.”

14th Annual 'Pink Out' game to benefit Cancer Council of Reno County

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Jessica	Ann	Bainum		2/23/2026 9:26&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear,					DWS; 1st conviction

Mary	Elizabeth	Fisher		2/23/2026 9:43&nbsp;AM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Dillon	Dewayne	Lowe		2/23/2026 11:15&nbsp;AM	Viol protection order; Pre-trial order,					Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Jason	Dirrell	Johnson		2/23/2026 11:30&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

Tyler	Aaron	Humphries		2/23/2026 11:45&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest

					Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction),					Viol protection order; Pre-trial order,					Criminal Threat; with Intent to Terrorize or cause Evacuation,					Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner, Probation Violation

Garson	Allen	Stanley Boyles		2/23/2026 1:28&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					DWS; 3rd or subs conv

Autumn	Rain	Tipton		2/23/2026 3:58&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Michael	Patrick	Conway		2/23/2026 10:17&nbsp;PM	DUI; Misdemeanor

Justin	Ronzale	Hodge		2/24/2026 12:06&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Jose		Calvo	Jr	2/24/2026 2:24&nbsp;AM	Kidnapping; AGGRAVATED, Kidnapping; To Inflict Bodily Injury or to Terrorize the Victim or Another, Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction), Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant, Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000, Furnishing Alcohol to a minor, Endangering a Child, Theft; Possession of Stolen Firearm; less than $25,000, Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

Daily Bookings

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education approved the 2026-27 school calendar at Monday night's Board of Education meeting.&nbsp;

The committee, made up of Hutchinson NEA members, board-appointed representatives and three parents, met twice this year to develop the calendar. More than 1,200 parents, staff and community members responded to a district survey that helped guide decisions.

Among the key decisions, Fair Day on Monday, Sept. 14, will be a no-school day. Staff will return from winter break on Jan. 4 for a half day of professional development and half day of teacher work time, with students returning Jan. 5. Committee members said the schedule allows the district to finish the school year as early as possible in May while meeting the required 186 contract days.

The committee also discussed the possibility of taking the entire week off at Thanksgiving but opted not to make that change after limited survey support. The idea may be included in next year’s survey for further feedback.

Board members unanimously approved the calendar on a 6-0 vote.

Board of Education approves 2026-27 calendar

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

MARION COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Monday in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2026 GMC Sierra driven by Christopher G. Walker, 36,&nbsp;Bentonia, Mississippi, was northbound on U.S. 56 just north of 340th Street. The pickup crossed over the center line. The pickup and a 2025 International semi driven by Jonathan W&nbsp;Hartico, 49, Wichita, collided.

EMS transported Walker to Wesley Medical Center.&nbsp;Hartico was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after U.S. 56 pickup, semi crash 

Kansas’ U.S. senators and a member of the state’s congressional delegation are asking the federal government to step in with assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by recent wildfires.

In a letter sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, along with U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, urged immediate action to support those affected by fires that swept across several Kansas counties.

“We write today to request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture take immediate action to support those affected by the devastating wildfires that recently swept through Kansas,” the delegation wrote.

According to the letter, wildfires burned thousands of acres across Clark, Comanche, Finney, Rawlins, Seward and Stevens counties. The fires destroyed fencing and hay supplies and led to significant livestock losses.

The lawmakers said the damage has placed “extraordinary strain” on farmers, ranchers and rural communities that were already facing economic challenges.

Kansas producers often rely on fencing to manage grazing operations and protect herds, and the loss of hay supplies can create immediate feed shortages. Lawmakers noted that livestock losses and forced sales at reduced prices can have long-term financial consequences for producers.

The delegation pointed to changes made following the 2017 wildfires in Kansas, when Moran worked to secure adjustments to USDA disaster programs. Those changes included removing payment limits for livestock losses and allowing compensation for animals sold at reduced prices due to disaster conditions.

The lawmakers are asking USDA to use existing disaster assistance authorities to provide relief and to ensure programs are implemented in a way that meets the needs of impacted producers.

No timeline for potential federal assistance has been announced.

Kansas congressional delegation seeks federal aid for wildfire-stricken producers

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mayor Scott Meggers and City Manager Enrico Villegas say a proposed city sales tax increase is the result of more than two years of financial planning and public discussion — not a rushed attempt to raise revenue.

During a recent radio appearance on KWBW, the mayor and city manager addressed concerns raised at community “meet and greet” sessions about the proposal, which would replace Hutchinson’s existing stormwater runoff fee and provide dedicated funding for stormwater, street and parks projects.

Meggers said one of the most common misconceptions is that the city is adding a new tax without eliminating anything in return.

Currently, residents who receive a water bill pay a stormwater runoff fee. A typical residential customer pays $5.49 per month, which totals about $60 annually.

If the sales tax proposal is approved, that stormwater fee would be eliminated.

“We are wanting to raise the sales tax, but it is to replace the stormwater runoff fee,” Meggers said.

Because the sales tax would be spread across residents and visitors who shop in Hutchinson, Meggers said it would broaden the base of who contributes to infrastructure costs.

City leaders have identified three primary funding priorities: stormwater improvements, streets, and parks and facilities.

Stormwater remains a significant focus due to ongoing infrastructure needs and FEMA floodplain map requirements. While Hutchinson has made substantial progress in reducing flood risk, Villegas said additional work remains to address a backlog of projects.

Street maintenance is another major concern. Historically, street funding has been reduced in order to balance the city’s budget. Officials say that has delayed preventative maintenance and increased long-term costs.

“Whether it’s preventative maintenance or even brick streets, those are expensive to deal with,” Villegas said.

Parks and facilities funding would focus on quality-of-life improvements and maintaining city-owned amenities.

City officials have shared financial projections indicating the proposed sales tax would align closely with projected expenditures, covering identified needs without generating surplus revenue.

If voters reject the measure, city leaders say budget reductions would be necessary.

Villegas emphasized that a recent council presentation outlining potential cuts was intended to educate residents about the city’s financial position — not to suggest that specific facilities or departments would automatically be eliminated.

“We’ve historically cut our budgets to the point where in certain departments, the only thing left to give is people,” Villegas said.

He said the city would first look at reducing equipment purchases, cutting material expenses, eliminating or scaling back software contracts and postponing projects. Officials would also consider attrition — freezing or eliminating positions as employees retire.

Layoffs, he said, would be a last resort but could not be entirely ruled out.

Villegas said the city’s budget challenges have been building for years.

When he arrived during a prior budget cycle, the proposed budget reflected a negative $5 million fund balance. Through a combination of cuts, project delays and cost-control measures, the city rebuilt its reserves to approximately $5 million.

However, Hutchinson’s target fund balance is about $7 million.

A fund balance functions as the city’s savings account and plays a critical role in maintaining a strong bond rating. Bond investors evaluate reserve levels to determine whether a city is financially stable and capable of repaying debt, said Villegas.

If the city’s bond rating declines, future borrowing costs could increase — raising interest rates on bonds used to finance infrastructure projects.

“That impacts our credit score,” Villegas said. “If the city’s credit score goes down, the interest rate on all those bonds goes up. That ultimately makes projects more expensive for taxpayers.”

City officials say the proposal is tied directly to the upcoming budget cycle. Because the budget process is already underway, they need to know whether additional revenue from a sales tax would be available later this year.

Meggers rejected claims that the city is “ramming” the proposal forward, saying discussions about budget constraints and infrastructure funding have been ongoing in council meetings for more than two years.

“This is not a knee-jerk reaction,” he said. “It’s about being transparent about where we are financially and what options we have.”

Voters will ultimately decide whether the sales tax proposal moves forward — a decision city leaders say will shape Hutchinson’s financial outlook and infrastructure planning for years to come.

Hutch leaders defend sales tax increase, city infrastructure needs and budget pressures

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home invasion burglary and have made an arrest.

Just after 1a.m. February 20, sheriff's deputies responded to a reported assault and robbery at a residence in the 2600 block of NE Calhoun Bluff Road in rural Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Chrisstian.

Initial investigation indicates that the suspect, Mason P. Schnegelsiepen, 35, of Topeka, allegedly forced entry into the 69-year-old victim’s residence. 

Schnegelsiepen is accused of battering the victim into unconsciousness, stealing cash, and fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained significant facial trauma and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The suspect was gone prior to the deputies’ arrival.

Deputies tracked Schnegelsiepen to a residence in the 2900 block of SW Lane Street. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center for further questioning. Schnegelsiepen was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges: of Aggravated Battery. He is no longer in custody.

Sheriff: Kan. man hospitalized after home invasion burglary

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-state-union-speech-economy-midterms-affordability-d31fc47a200d159a2d24833bd378ec56">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;used his State of the Union address to champion his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-arrests-warrants-minneapolis-trump-00d0ab0338e82341fd91b160758aeb2d">immigration crackdowns</a>, his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-donald-trump-57e05951a01ff9e63b3aabc23dfc2ebb">slashing of the federal government</a>, his push to preserve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economy-liberation-day-d3458da225c1fdfade97ed494b23e868">widespread tariffs</a>&nbsp;that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9">Supreme Court just struck down</a>&nbsp;and his ability to direct quick-hit military actions around the world, including in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-israel-war-updates-6-24-2025">Iran</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fort-bragg-venezuela-special-forces-economy-e0f3ef918509c5137c434110dc090ffe">Venezuela</a>.

Trump plans to announce that tech companies involved in artificial intelligence are agreeing to pay higher electricity rates in areas where their data centers are located. The president also could use the address to proclaim the economy is booming while endorsing increased military spending and tighter voter ID rules leading up to November elections that will determine political control of Congress.

🎥 President Trump's State of the Union address

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge on Tuesday declined to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-hearing-187d3d4f1b2166232f9d2362001074d5">disqualify the local county attorney’s office</a>&nbsp;from prosecuting the accused shooter in Charlie Kirk's killing after the defense argued there was a conflict of interest because a prosecutor's daughter was present when Kirk was shot.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">Sept. 10 shooting</a>&nbsp;of the conservative activist on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-police-charlie-kirk-d7d464c949ec9d4abad0eb3910d6a96b">Utah Valley University</a>&nbsp;campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Robinson’s attorneys urged the judge to remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office because they allowed a deputy county attorney to work on the case despite knowing that his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

The defense also argued in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they said was evidence of “strong emotional reactions” that merited disqualifying the entire team.

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is “not a significant risk” that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander's loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson's rights.

“Prosecutors need not be immune to the emotional response of others to prosecute a case,” Graf said.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">helped mobilize young people</a>&nbsp;to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">told the court</a>&nbsp;earlier this month.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf found that the daughter's presence did not factor into Gray's decision.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for attorneys with the defense and prosecution.

The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said Graf’s ruling was appropriate given the circumstances.

“Chad Grunander’s daughter is not going to be a witness. She didn’t actually see Mr. Kirk killed. She was facing away,” Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said.

The judge has been weighing other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-biased-jurors-robinson-video-40d48c3427590c45c8b5e67517a117ef">issues of fairness</a>&nbsp;for Robinson, should he go to trial.

Full video recordings of Kirk’s shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that “highly biased” news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirk’s widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.

The defense request to exclude cameras was classified by the court as private and has not been released.

On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case. Graf said without access to those motions, media attorneys could not meaningfully argue against closing parts of the case from public view.

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