HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will consider issuing $2.54 million in industrial revenue bonds for APAC-Kansas, revisit proposed changes to the county's transient guest tax and review more than $100,000 in equipment purchases during its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave.
One of the major items on the agenda is a resolution authorizing $2.54 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds for APAC-Kansas, formerly known as Shears.
According to the agenda packet, the company has constructed a new office building at the corner of G Avenue and Airport Road, outside Hutchinson city limits. The proposed bonds would help finance the project, including equipment associated with the company's sand pit operations.
The resolution would also provide a 10-year property tax exemption on qualifying project property, excluding the school district's portion of property taxes.
County officials noted the bonds would not be general obligation bonds, meaning the county's general taxing authority and credit would not be pledged toward repayment.
Commissioners will also revisit a proposed charter resolution involving the county's transient guest tax, which was previously tabled in August.
The proposed resolution would establish a maximum tax rate of 10% on qualifying lodging accommodations, although it would not immediately set the rate. Instead, commissioners would determine the actual rate during a meeting in January.
According to county staff, the changes are necessary to comply with Kansas Department of Revenue requirements for collecting transient guest tax revenue.
County officials say failure to approve the resolution could require Reno County to collect the tax directly from lodging businesses, potentially requiring an additional employee to administer the process.
The commission will also consider several technology purchases.
Information Technology Director Tim McClatchey is recommending a $5,048 agreement with Pagefreezer Software Inc. to archive the county's social media accounts and website.
The proposal follows the commission's adoption of a social media policy Oct. 28 requiring the retention and archiving of social media records.
The system would help preserve records, including content that has been edited or deleted, and assist the county in responding to Kansas Open Records Act requests.
Commissioners will also consider spending $54,508.74 with Dell Technologies to replace 52 county computers and purchase 10 docking stations. The equipment includes 40 desktop computers, 10 laptops and two rugged laptops for Public Works employees.
The county currently maintains 514 computer endpoints, with several identified for replacement because of age or performance issues.
Another purchase under consideration is a $57,813 Ford F-550 chassis for Reno County Fire District No. 1.
The chassis would eventually replace a 1985 brush truck assigned to Station 70 in Turon. Fire Administrator Travis Vogt said the purchase would cover the chassis only, with a decision on the fire truck body expected at a later date.
Commissioners will also receive an update on the county's most recent delinquent property tax sale.
According to County Counselor John Settle, 41 properties were sold during the Oct. 29 auction, generating $712,450.
The process originally began with 185 properties that were five years delinquent on their property taxes.
During the process, $887,479.22 was paid toward delinquent taxes on 144 properties, while an additional $40,490 was collected toward costs associated with the case.
County officials are completing the remaining paperwork and will notify eligible parties about any excess proceeds after delinquent taxes and applicable expenses have been paid.
The commission's consent agenda includes several resolutions authorizing transfers between county operating funds and reserve accounts for future capital improvements, equipment purchases and other expenses.
Among those transfers is a proposal involving Reno County Area Transit. County officials say delays in obtaining new buses have prompted a recommendation to move funds into an equipment reserve account until the vehicles are ready for delivery.
Other consent agenda items include updates to Community Corrections policies, including provisions addressing the use of artificial intelligence for administrative efficiency, and a budget adjustment involving juvenile prevention services provided by Rise Up Reno.
Commissioners are also scheduled to designate a voting delegate and alternate for the Kansas Association of Counties annual conference and receive monthly departmental reports.
An executive session is scheduled to discuss attorney-client privileged matters involving pending court case RN-2026-CV-000450.
The meeting is open to the public, with an opportunity for residents to address commissioners on matters not listed on the agenda.