MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission approved two key measures tied to the proposed Salt Lick development project during its meeting Tuesday, including establishing a STAR Bond district and advancing a new transient guest tax framework for unincorporated areas of the county.
Commissioners first held a public hearing on the establishment of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District. Attorney Bob Johnson, representing the applicant Salt Lick LLC, told commissioners the action taken Tuesday only establishes the geographic boundaries for the district and does not commit the county to financing approval.
Johnson explained the STAR Bond process still includes several additional steps, including a planning commission review, a future public hearing on project plans and later consideration of financing details. He said the district boundaries only include land owned by the developer and establish the base for future incremental sales tax revenues.
During the hearing, several local business representatives spoke in favor of the project, citing potential economic benefits and tourism opportunities for Reno County.
Brent England, an engineering consultant and local business owner, said destination golf developments similar to Salt Lick attract visitors from across the country while generating limited wear on county infrastructure. Paul Barlow of Paul’s Excavating also praised the project for using local contractors and bringing outside dollars into Reno County.
Following the hearing, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2026-12 establishing the STAR Bond Project District.
Commissioners also approved a charter resolution, which creates the framework for a future transient guest tax in areas outside the city limits of Hutchinson and South Hutchinson. County Administrator Randy Partington said the charter resolution allows the county to eventually levy up to a 10% lodging tax through a future resolution.
Partington said the tax would primarily apply to lodging stays and could be used to support tourism and economic development projects, including potentially helping finance developments tied to lodging properties.
Bond counsel Kevin Cowan told commissioners the charter resolution gives the county flexibility for future economic development agreements involving lodging properties elsewhere in the county.
Commissioners noted the charter resolution does not immediately impose a tax rate. A future resolution would still be required to establish an exact percentage and implementation details following a 60-day protest period.
The commission approved the charter resolution unanimously.