By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department is located in a small building in the 200 block of West 2nd Avenue.
With the number of employees on hand, it makes for a crowded existence. Reno County Commissioners took time to discuss how to find more space for the Health Department during Tuesday’s meeting. Tentative plans are to use a small building across the street from the Health Department. The rent would be $1,000 per month, according to County Administrator Randy Partington. Commissioner Ron Hirst had a different idea.
“I would suggest that we look at the possibility of utilizing this first floor of the courthouse,” Hirst said. “Yes, we might have to buy some partitions and so forth for offices . . . we’ve been looking for the last three and a half years for something to utilize that space.”
Commissioner Ron Sellers was opposed to the idea, but did say that Hirst's suggestion should be explored.
“My feelings are the open area of the courthouse out in front of us is not very well situated for office areas,” Sellers said. “In my opinion, there’s some higher use for that space in the future.”
Still, Sellers asked that the option be explored before any contract is signed for the building across from the Health Department.
No action was taken by the board.