MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County is moving forward with plans to consolidate its eight rural fire districts into a single countywide fire district effective Jan. 1, 2026. The move is aimed at improving service equity, simplifying budgeting, and creating a more efficient emergency response network across the county.
“Every resident in Reno County currently falls under a fire district,” Emergency Manager Adam Weishaar said. “But the boundaries have been invisible barriers. With consolidation, we’ll be able to move equipment more easily and ensure equal service for everyone, regardless of where they live.”
All eight rural districts currently operate with volunteer firefighters and maintain their own mill levies, ranging from 7 to nearly 20 mills. Under the new plan, residents would be served by a unified “Consolidated Fire District 1” with a single, uniform tax rate.
County Administrator Randy Partington said the consolidation would also streamline the budgeting process, eliminating the need to manage eight separate budgets. “This allows us to look at the fire service as a whole and plan more strategically for equipment and personnel,” he said.
Residents will soon receive revenue neutral rate (RNR) notices in the mail, which will outline the proposed changes. Partington clarified that while the notices may show two mill levies—one for the old district and one for the new—residents will only be taxed under the new consolidated rate. The dual listing is required for legal and historical purposes.
There is still a small protest window for residents who may wish to opt out of the consolidated district. If a specific fire district formally withdraws, the county will maintain a separate 2026 budget for that area. However, officials believe full participation is likely.
Weishaar also updated listeners on two ongoing fire station construction projects in Turon and Nickerson. The Turon station is nearing completion, with doors installed and interior work underway. The Nickerson station is just a few weeks behind. Both buildings are identical and are being built by the same construction crew.
In a notable shift, the Weishaar said the county is also proposing the addition of a capital line item in the fire district budget—something it has never done before. He said this would allow the county to begin gradually replacing aging fire apparatus, some of which date back to the 1970s. “The national standard recommends replacing fire trucks every 25 years. We’re hoping this capital plan helps us meet those standards by 2050.”
A public hearing on the budget and revenue neutral rate is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting on Sept. 10th. At that meeting, the commission must formally adopt the mill levy and finalize the 2026 budget. Once adopted, the budget will be submitted to the state.
The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners is set for Aug. 13th.