HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will consider new social media guidelines for county employees, easements for power transmission lines and several Community Corrections policy updates during its regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave. in Hutchinson.
One of the primary business items is a proposed social media policy establishing guidelines for county employees when posting work-related information on personal accounts.
According to county documents, the policy would address the use of county information, photographs, videos and other materials on personal social media accounts, along with employee conduct when representing the county online.
County officials say the policy is intended to protect confidential information, maintain public trust and promote responsible communication while respecting employees' rights to personal expression.
Commissioners will also consider revisions to the county's existing electronic media and mobile device security policy. The changes would eliminate overlapping requirements between the existing policy, the proposed social media guidelines and internal information technology policies.
Both items will be presented by Human Resources Director Helen Foster.
Another item involves proposed easements for Evergy Kansas Central to construct and maintain electrical transmission lines associated with a new Evergy power plant. Public Works Director Logan McCurry is requesting authorization for the commission chair to execute the easements.
The commission will also receive the Community Corrections annual report from Director Randy Regehr.
The report includes fiscal year 2026 statistics showing 141 successful terminations from adult community corrections supervision, representing approximately 70% of the reported terminations.
The report also shows 39 participants in the county's drug court program, including eight successful graduates during the fiscal year.
Commissioners are expected to consider several Community Corrections policy revisions as part of the consent agenda. The updates are intended to bring county procedures into compliance with Kansas Department of Corrections standards, particularly changes involving juvenile out-of-home placements.
Other proposed revisions address juvenile supervision requirements, transportation procedures, independent living, criminal justice information security and the transition to electronic case records.
The consent agenda also includes a proposed amendment to an agreement with the South Central Kansas Economic Development District involving $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for housing rehabilitation.
The original agreement called for the acquisition, rehabilitation and sale of five homes by the end of 2026. However, county documents indicate the funding was used to support the purchase and rehabilitation of three homes, all of which have since been sold in Hutchinson.
The organization cited limited housing inventory, increased construction costs, contractor availability and competition from other buyers as reasons fewer homes were completed than originally planned.
Commissioners will consider amending the agreement to reflect the three completed homes and formally close out the program. County officials say the amendment would have no additional fiscal impact because the funding has already been allocated.
Additional consent agenda items include support for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant application from Disability Supports of the Great Plains.
The organization is seeking operating assistance for the 2028 state fiscal year to help cover transportation expenses, including driver wages, training, insurance, fuel and vehicle maintenance. Its anticipated application would request approximately $14,286 in operating expenses, with KDOT potentially covering 70% of eligible costs.
The commission will also consider documents supporting continued Reno County Area Transit operations through federal rural transportation funding.
Ahead of the business agenda, commissioners are expected to approve a proclamation recognizing Operation Green Light for Veterans, encouraging residents and businesses to display green lights from Nov. 4 through Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Commissioners will also recognize Harley Macklin for more than seven years of service on the Reno County Planning Commission. Macklin served from February 2019 through October 2026.
The meeting will include public comment, monthly department reports and a county financial update.
Commissioners are also scheduled to enter executive sessions to discuss attorney-client privileged matters related to a pending court case and non-elected personnel matters.