By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County commissioners will seek approval of a resolution to use a portion of the more than $12 million they received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act during Tuesday's meeting.
On June 28, the commissioners took actions to allocate the funds to specific agencies. At the June meeting, commissioners discussed having a spreadsheet provided to them in a more formal manner for their approval. Three major allocations were approved in separate motions with the rest approved in one motion. The three major allocations included $4.5 million for the United Way K-Ready Childcare program, $4 million for Interfaith Housing and another $500,000 for the South Central Kansas Economic Development District for housing needs and, finally, $1.2 million for the Chamber of Commerce for an industrial development park.
Also Tuesday, the commission will look over fees for several rural water and sewer districts around Yoder. The fees will be used to offset costs associated with nitrate problems connected to the rural 101 water district. Fees will be going up in rural sewer district 201, 202 and in district 1.
Fees will also go up in rural water district 101.
Water rates in the 101 district will go up to $34 per month at $2.50 for every 1,000 gallons used. There will also be a $500 connection charge.
For the sewer district, rates will go up to $30 per month for each residential connection, $37 per month for a light commercial connection, and $138 per month for commercial and industrial connections. There will also be a $500 new connection charge.
Public Works also says the flat rate will increase by 2% each year unless action is taken by the county commission. The increases are necessary to keep the rural districts running. Most of the changes came to light after rural water district 101 became unusable because of high nitrate levels. The county is currently working with the City of Hutchinson to bring water to the area.
Tuesday’s meeting of the Reno County Commission is set for 9 a.m.
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