MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
We had the opportunity to visit with Hutchinson City Councilmember John Richardson addressing questions about property taxes, regional cooperation with Reno County and the city of South Hutchinson, major economic-development projects, and compensation for local elected officials as his own term comes to an end.
Richardson said recent social media posts he shared regarding property tax data sparked strong community interest. Many residents assume Hutchinson and Reno County have the highest tax rates in Kansas, but Richardson pointed to Kansas Department of Revenue maps showing that’s not the case when compared objectively.
The map he posted last week focused on property tax dollars collected per capita—a measurement that reflects the total taxes paid in a county divided by the population. He noted it’s useful for comparing counties but does not indicate what an individual taxpayer pays.
Richardson encouraged residents to examine their own property trends through the Reno County GIS system, where tax histories for individual parcels show gradual annual increases rather than dramatic jumps.
He added that mill levies adjust based on rising property values and inflation pressures. The City of Hutchinson’s levy has hovered between 40 and 44 mills over the past several years and currently sits at about 42 mills. Even when the city cuts spending, he said, the inflationary cost of operating municipal services still pushes budgets upward.
Richardson also discussed the joint work session between the City of Hutchinson, City of South Hutchinson, and Reno County, held at the Sand Hills Center. The primary outcome was a collaborative agreement to pause any annexation actions related to Evergy’s planned facility south of Hutchinson.
“There was confusion about communications and which city would be responsible for services,” Richardson said. Because state officials sometimes misunderstand that Hutchinson and South Hutchinson are two separate cities, he said territorial assumptions can happen unintentionally.
To avoid conflict, all three entities agreed to set annexation aside while Evergy begins construction. As infrastructure needs arise, the parties will jointly determine which jurisdiction is best equipped to provide resources.
“We’re going to work together as a team,” Richardson said. “We’ve all vocalized that we want this done cooperatively.”
A non-annexation agreement formalizing that commitment is scheduled for discussion at the Hutchinson City Council meeting Tuesday night.
LINK: Evergy to build 705 MW natural gas plant in Reno County
Richardson said the Evergy project has already spurred new interest from outside businesses considering the region. While details remain confidential, he said the three local governmental entities must coordinate resources and strategies so they can respond as a unified economic-development front.
And although much of the discussion centers on the industrial corridor north of town, Richardson emphasized the approach must be county-wide, aligning with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber’s recruitment efforts.
“Hutchinson isn’t an island,” he said. “The closer a project is to our city limits, the more service options we can provide—but economic development is a regional effort.”
Following the recent discussion by the Reno County Commission we asked Richardson about whether elected officials should receive improved compensation. While he cannot speak for the county, he noted Hutchinson City Council members receive no pay at all, despite the significant hours, travel, and time away from work that the role requires.
He recently raised the idea of discussing future compensation—not for the current council, but for future office holders—to ensure residents of all income levels can afford to serve.
“There’s a perception that only the well-to-do or the elites make decisions in Hutchinson,” he said. “If people can’t afford the time or the cost to be on the council, they simply won’t run. This is a challenge in every rural community.”
He said volunteer service is important, but added, “It shouldn’t cost you to be on a council or board.”
Richardson’s term ends in January, and he thanked the community for the opportunity to serve. He will continue to be active on other boards and in his professional work. Mayor Stacy Goss was recently elected to Richardson’s northwest district seat.