Reno County commissioners will meet on Wednesday morning for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting will be in the Veterans’ Room of the Reno County Courthouse at 9 a.m.
On the agenda is an item to approve a $26,740 professional survey that could shape the future of a proposed countywide sales tax increase, as local leaders explore options to fund infrastructure and public services while easing pressure on property taxes.
The proposal stems from a Feb. 4 joint meeting between the Reno County Commission and Hutchinson City Council, during which both governing bodies expressed support for a sales tax measure to benefit cities throughout the county. The long-term aim is to place a finalized sales tax proposal on the 2026 ballot.
If approved, the survey would be conducted by Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center. It would measure voter support for a potential half-cent or full-cent sales tax increase and identify which types of projects or services—such as roads, public safety, or economic development—might earn the most community backing.
County Administrator Randy Partington endorsed the plan in a memo to commissioners, calling it a “small investment” that could help develop ballot language likely to pass.
“The survey gives us solid data to shape a sales tax proposal that voters may be more likely to support,” he wrote.
Revenue projections suggest a half-cent increase could bring in roughly $3 million annually for the county’s share alone, while a full cent could generate about $6 million. The current 1-cent countywide sales tax, in place since the early 2000s, has provided consistent revenue for municipalities over the last five years.
Commissioners will consider whether to approve the WSU agreement, reject the proposal, or table it for further discussion. The funds would come from the county’s general fund under a designated line item for professional services.
Arlington EMS Station
In other business, the commission will consider the approval of a $763,500 construction bid for a new emergency medical services station in Arlington. The low bid, submitted by Ward Davis Builders, came in just over the county’s original $750,000 budget.
Officials say the overage is due to rising material costs and unplanned geotechnical requirements for the site. The project will be paid for with a mix of federal allocations and the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) reserve funds.
Construction could begin as early as July. Once completed, the station—EMS Station 3—will bolster emergency response capabilities in the Arlington area.
Emergency Management Storage Facility
Commissioners will also consider a $357,798 bid from Richardson Brothers Construction to build a new Emergency Management storage facility.
The project, identified in the county’s 2025 CIP, aims to consolidate equipment, vehicles, and trailers that are currently scattered across various locations, including fire stations and the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Richardson Brothers was the sole bidder when sealed bids were opened May 30. After value engineering, the bid was trimmed by nearly $30,000 from its original estimate of $387,000.
The final project cost of $379,648 includes $7,000 in permitting and surveying fees and $14,850 to meet new zoning requirements after the site was rezoned. Those requirements include installing privacy slats in perimeter fencing.
Although the project exceeds the original $300,000 budget, county staff recommends approval, with the additional costs covered by CIP and reserve funds. Staff will continue to look for ways to reduce zoning-related expenses.