MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson City Council on Tuesday will consider the approval of a memorandum of understanding with the City of South Hutchinson, Reno County and Evergy that outlines how the entities will handle any annexation of the proposed power plant site south of the cities.
Under the agreement, both the City of Hutchinson and City of South Hutchinson acknowledge the value of the planned development and agree not to pursue annexation of the property until the project is complete.
Hutchinson City Commissioner Jon Richardson told Hutch Post that this “There was confusion about communications, and which city would be responsible for services,” Richardson said. "Because state officials sometimes misunderstand that Hutchinson and South Hutchinson are two separate cities, he said territorial assumptions can happen unintentionally."
“We’re going to work together as a team,” Richardson said. “We’ve all vocalized that we want this done cooperatively.”
Hutchinson is the final governing body to act on the memorandum. The South Hutchinson city council and Reno County Board of County Commissioners approved the agreement during meetings last week.
The agreement follows recent tensions between the cities after South Hutchinson initiated the annexation process during a special council meeting on Nov. 17. That action prompted a joint meeting among Hutchinson, South Hutchinson and Reno County leaders on Nov. 20, where officials discussed how best to coordinate on the project and avoid conflict moving forward.
The council will also vote on an ordinance authorizing general obligation (GO) bonds for several capital projects, including sidewalk upgrades, improvements to the Hutchinson Zoo’s nature play area, new equipment at Fairgrounds Park, and repairs to the Memorial Hall roof.
According to agenda documents, the city expects to cover a portion of the costs upfront and bond the remainder once the ordinance is in place.
Proposed spending includes:
- $250,000 for sidewalk improvements
- $400,000 for the Hutchinson Zoo nature play area
- $150,000 for Fairgrounds Park equipment
- $100,000 for Memorial Hall roof repairs
The council will also consider updating the Planning & Zoning Division’s master fee schedule for the first time since 1991.
City code allows the division to collect application fees, which help offset—but do not fully cover—the cost of processing applications. Staff say expenses have risen significantly over the past three decades.
Under the proposed schedule:
- Conditional use permits would increase from $165 to $350
- Preliminary plats from $100 plus $15 per lot to $350 plus $15 per lot
- Vacations from $0 to $250
- Variances from $165 to $350
- Zoning amendments for commercial properties from $210 to $500, and residential properties from $210 to $400
A staff report notes that most proposed fees remain below the average charged by 12 comparable Kansas municipalities.
The city council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.