MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County 4-H Ambassadors Tagan Metzger and Kora Zongker stopped by the Reno County Commission meeting this week to invite both the board and the community to the upcoming Reno County Fair, which runs July 23–28 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
The ambassadors extended a special invitation to commissioners for the fair’s awards luncheon on July 28 at noon. Fair Board President Clint Lanning also provided commissioners with tickets for the Blue Ribbon BBQ, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, and shared a schedule of events.
In other business, Bryan Schulz, General Manager of the Kansas State Fair, requested the Commission consider helping fund a proposed $4.2 million Emergency Command Center. The facility would be built on the site of the former fire station at Main and 20th Street and would serve as a year-round hub for law enforcement, emergency responders and event security. Schulz said the project is critical to protect the more than 330,000 visitors who attend the fair each year.
However, some commissioners expressed hesitation about committing county tax dollars to a state-owned facility. Commissioner Bogner called the request “pretty darn steep,” and others questioned why the original fire station was demolished instead of being renovated. Some members showed interest but indicated that any contribution would likely require a formal agreement ensuring shared access during emergencies.
Also during the meeting, the board approved updated design plans for the $600,000 remodel of EMS Station 2. Facilities Director Kyle Stewart noted that $63,000 of that cost is due to a new fire suppression system now required by the City of Hutchinson. Commissioners acknowledged frustration with rising costs but agreed the project should move forward and voted unanimously to put it out for bids.
Finally, the board approved an interlocal agreement with Kingman County, allowing property owners in the Kingman portion of a shared fire district to receive tax rebates through Kingman County’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Reno County will have no financial obligation but needed to sign off on the arrangement to make it official.
The Reno County Board of County Commissioners will meet next Wednesday at 9 a.m. for a budget meeting. At the meeting commissioners will set a maximum mill levy for the next fiscal year.