MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse with several economic development and tax-related items on the agenda, including a public hearing tied to a proposed STAR Bond district and consideration of a new transient guest tax policy.
Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the establishment of a STAR Bond Project District connected to the proposed Salt Lick development project.
Following the hearing, commissioners will consider adopting Resolution 2026-12, which would formally establish the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District pursuant to Kansas law. STAR Bonds, or Sales Tax and Revenue Bonds, are used to help finance tourism and entertainment developments by allowing future sales tax revenues generated within a district to help pay project costs.
Commissioners will also consider Charter Resolution 2026-XXIX concerning a transient guest tax for portions of Reno County outside the city limits of Hutchinson and South Hutchinson.
According to agenda materials, the proposed tax could be set at up to 10% on hotel and lodging stays in unincorporated areas of the county. Transient guest taxes are commonly used to support tourism promotion, convention and visitors bureau activities, and related economic development efforts.