MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County voters appear open to a modest countywide sales tax increase, but support drops sharply at higher levels, according to the results of a recently completed survey commissioned by the Reno County Commission.
The survey, conducted by the Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center, was mailed to a random sample of registered voters across Reno County. Just under 400 responses were returned, representing close to 10 percent of those contacted — a response rate county officials say provides statistically valid results.
Reno County Administrator Randy Partington said approximately 70 percent of respondents indicated they would support or might support a half-cent countywide sales tax. However, willingness declined significantly when respondents were asked about higher rates, such as three-quarters of a cent or a full cent.
“That really tells us that anything above a half-cent is unlikely to pass with voters,” Partington said during a recent interview on the BW Morning Show.
The survey also measured public trust in county government. Results showed 79 percent of respondents expressed moderate trust, a finding Partington said was higher than he expected and notable compared to other communities he has worked in. He noted that trust levels can vary depending on the specific service or issue being considered.
Among spending priorities, county roads ranked as one of the top areas of support, with roughly 90 percent of respondents identifying road maintenance as an important investment. However, Partington acknowledged that some respondents may not fully understand the distinction between county and township responsibilities.
Reno County is responsible for maintaining paved county roads that are not part of the state highway system. Dirt and gravel roads, often referred to as township roads, are maintained by individual townships, not the county.
“There’s a lot of confusion about who maintains which roads, and that’s not unique to Reno County,” Partington said.
The survey also revealed misconceptions about how countywide sales tax revenue is distributed. Under Kansas law, sales tax revenue is split using a formula based on population and tax levy. In Reno County, that means the county receives about 40 cents of every dollar collected, while the City of Hutchinson receives approximately 49 cents, with the remaining share divided among smaller cities.
County commissioners also discussed whether a sales tax increase could provide property tax relief. Partington said that comparison is difficult because property values vary widely and sales tax impacts depend on individual spending habits.
“Sales tax spreads the burden more broadly, including to visitors and people passing through the county,” he said. “Property tax only applies to property owners.”
In addition to the mailed survey, the county also hosted an online public survey open to anyone. That survey showed similar trends, though with slightly lower levels of support. Because participation was unrestricted, county officials view those results as supplemental rather than statistically representative.
With the survey now complete, county officials face a tight timeline. To pursue a countywide sales tax referendum, enabling legislation must be introduced during the current Kansas legislative session. The deadline to request a bill introduction is Jan. 26.
The Board of County Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse to consider a resolution to submit their request to the legislature. The meeting is open to the public.