MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County Commissioners Weigh Pay Structure, Sales Tax Options Amid Broader Budget Pressures
Reno County officials are revisiting county commissioner compensation and exploring the possibility of a future countywide sales tax as part of broader discussions about governance, budgeting, and public service sustainability.
During a recent appearance on the BW Morning Show, Reno County Commissioner Randy Parks and County Administrator Randy Partington discussed how the issue of commissioner pay resurfaced and why it is now part of the county commission’s ongoing agenda.
According to Parks, the conversation began several years ago when former commissioners faced challenges balancing outside employment with the demands of county service. In some cases, commissioners exhausted vacation time or lost employer-provided benefits in order to fulfill their public duties.
“It’s hard for someone to serve in this office if they’re not independently employed or retired,” Parks said. “We’ve seen that for years, and it limits the pool of people who are able to serve.”
When Reno County voters approved expanding the commission from three members to five, commissioner salaries were divided among more people, effectively reducing individual pay. Currently, Reno County commissioners earn about $11,000 annually, placing them at the low end compared to similar Kansas counties.
Partington said a survey of counties with a county administrator form of government found most commissioners earn between $25,000 and $26,000 per year, excluding Sedgwick County, where commissioners serve full time and earn significantly more.
The commission will consider several options at an upcoming meeting, including maintaining the current pay level, restoring compensation to what commissioners earned under the three-member board—approximately $17,000 to $18,000—or adjusting pay to reflect cost-of-living increases since that time. Another option under discussion would move compensation closer to the regional average, around $25,000 annually.
Parks emphasized that the discussion is not about making the role lucrative, but about ensuring the position is accessible.
“This is about not limiting who can serve,” he said. “It’s a civic duty, but it still requires a significant time commitment.”
County officials estimate commissioners spend an average of 20 to 25 hours per week on county business, including meetings, document review, and constituent engagement. From a human resources perspective, the current pay level has also raised concerns with state reporting requirements related to compensation classifications.
In addition to commissioner pay, the conversation touched on longer-term county funding challenges, including the potential for a future countywide sales tax. Reno County currently has a one-cent sales tax that generates about $6 million annually for the general fund and helps offset property taxes.
Partington said the commission is conducting a public survey to gauge voter interest in an additional sales tax that could support infrastructure, public safety, economic development, quality-of-life projects, or property tax relief.
“With rising costs and state mandates, there are limited places to cut without reducing staff,” Partington said. “A sales tax is paid by everyone who purchases goods in Reno County, not just property owners.”
Officials noted that while visitors to events like the Kansas State Fair contribute to local sales tax when shopping or dining elsewhere in the county, purchases made on the fairgrounds itself generate only state sales tax revenue.
No final decisions have been made on commissioner pay or a potential sales tax proposal. County leaders say both topics will continue to be discussed publicly as part of the county’s budget and governance process.
The Reno County Commission meets this morning at 9 a.m. in the Veteran's Room of the Reno County Commission.