MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission will consider possibly dividing the McNew and Mills road improvement project into two separate projects when it meets Wednesday.
Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Sept. 23 in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave. in Hutchinson.
According to agenda documents, county officials have been discussing the three-mile project with engineering firm JEO Consulting Group and Evergy. Those discussions indicate it may be necessary to divide the work into two projects.
The first project would cover one mile of McNew Road from U.S. 50 north to Morgan Avenue. The second would cover McNew Road from Morgan Avenue north to Mills Road and then Mills Road west for one mile to K-96.
County Administrator Randy Partington is expected to provide additional information and cost estimates during the meeting. Commissioners could be asked to take action after receiving that information.
Separating the work could increase the project’s design costs. However, county officials said the additional expense is not expected to negatively affect the funding already in place for the entire project.
The commission previously voted 4-1 to authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire easements needed for road improvements in the McNew and Mills area.
Under the consent agenda, the commission will consider declaring two Reno County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles as surplus property and authorizing Partington to sign the titles. The 2020 Ford Interceptor hybrid SUVs have approximately 128,700 and 141,500 miles and would be sold at auction.
The commission is also scheduled to enter an executive session for confidential attorney-client consultation with the county counselor regarding current litigation associated with U.S. District Court case No. 25-1293-EFM-BGS. The agenda does not indicate whether commissioners expect to take action after the closed session.