MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse, with a full agenda ranging from workforce development to renewable energy and employee dental insurance rates.
The consent agenda includes approval of vouchers, juvenile policy updates, final minutes from May, an addendum to the Water District 101 (Yoder) engineering contract, a conditional use permit for a manufactured home at 4501 Scotty Lane, renewal of the Detention Center’s GAINS program grant, and youth detention contracts with 20 Kansas counties.
Among business items, commissioners will hear an overview from Kansas WorkforceONE following the merger of Local Workforce Areas I and II, approved by Gov. Laura Kelly in January. The merger is intended to improve services for job seekers and employers, increase efficiency, and strengthen economic development efforts across the region.
A proposed Landfill Methane Agreement with Meadowlark Renewables, LLC will also be discussed. The deal would allow the company to collect and process methane gas from the landfill and sell it into a nearby gas line. Reno County would receive 18.75% of revenues, with a guaranteed minimum of $37,500 per month. Meadowlark would cover construction costs and provide financial security for removal of facilities if the project is abandoned.
The board will also consider appointments to the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD). County Commission Vice-Chairman Ron Hirst has recommended Michelle Inskeep of Peoples Bank and Trust to eventually succeed him on the board, and Carissa Paxton of the City of Hutchinson to replace outgoing member Jackson Swearer.
Lastly, commissioners will review the 2025-2026 health and dental insurance premium schedule. The county is recommending a 4% increase in health plan premiums to cover rising fixed costs, bringing total funding to just over $4.78 million. Dental plan premiums will remain unchanged, with one IRS-required deductible increase for high-deductible health plans.
Open enrollment for county employees begins Aug. 18, making Wednesday’s vote on premium rates time-sensitive.
After the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners Meeting, they will adjourn into a budget work session.