MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Reno County Courthouse, with commissioners expected to take action on several items related to the McNew Road and Mills Avenue improvement project, including bond financing and a resolution involving eminent domain.
Among the key agenda items is Resolution 2026-29, which authorizes the issuance, sale and delivery of $5.415 million in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026-A, along with approval of the bond purchase agreement and other documents necessary to complete the financing.
Commissioners are also expected to consider a separate resolution authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire any remaining property interests needed to complete the McNew Road and Mills Avenue project. County officials have said the action is intended to secure the right-of-way necessary for construction if negotiations with property owners cannot be completed voluntarily.
County officials said that several easements were necessary for the completion of the McNew Road/Mills Avenue construction project but have not been able to purchase from two landowners because the landowners have declined to accept the county's purchase offer.
According to agenda documents, the bond financing is required to complete construction of the McNew Road and Mills Avenue roadway project. The improvements are designed to support construction of the new Evergy power plant as well as continued development within the City of Hutchinson Industrial Park. County officials note that failure to approve the financing documents would have a significant fiscal impact on the project.
The bond purchase agreement calls for the county to issue $5.415 million in general obligation bonds. The bonds would be purchased at approximately $5.88 million, reflecting an original issue premium and underwriter's discount. Proceeds from the sale will provide permanent financing for the roadway improvements and cover certain costs associated with issuing the bonds.
If approved, the bonds would mature between 2032 and 2035, with semiannual interest payments beginning in March 2027.
The McNew Road and Mills Avenue project is considered a critical infrastructure improvement supporting industrial growth in Reno County, particularly transportation needs associated with Evergy's new natural gas-fired generating station and the expanding Hutchinson Industrial Park. Wednesday's agenda items represent significant steps toward completing both the financing and property acquisition needed to move the project