NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Administrator Randy Partington explained that the CIP process is something that the commission looks at every year, because keeping up the county's infrastructure helps save taxpayers money.
"There's things, usually around $20,000 to $25,000 or more, or that have a life span of about five years," Partington said. "That's kind of a generic explanation or definition. There are, on a case by case situation, things that cost less or have a shorter life span. Vehicles, roof repairs, maintenance of buildings, buses for RCAT, software equipment, large equipment for IT. There are lots of things that go into the Capital Improvement Projects list."
CIP projects are for those things that you want to take care of before maintenance costs get too high.
"If we don't take care of it, or if we don't buy equipment that is needed, it's going to cost us more in the long run," Partington said. "If we don't fix things, whether it's buildings or replace vehicles when our automotive department recommends it, then we're going to have higher costs in the long run. When we do buy a new piece of equipment, it's going to cost more."
Regular equipment replacement when parts-related supply chain issues are present make it important to plan ahead for those events.
"We can order now, we can encumber it today, but it probably won't be here until the end of 2024 on different pieces of equipment," Partington said. "Vehicles are a good example. If we buy a new vehicle or fire apparatus, they may start production now, but it will be over a year before we actually receive that piece of equipment."
The Board of County Commissioners looked at the CIP requests on Tuesday.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.