By Lucky Kidd
RENO COUNTY, Kan. — On Wednesday, the Reno County Commission approved the merger of eight of the nine rural fire districts in Reno County into a single fire district. This brings a conclusion to discussions on fire district issues that began in 2017 and were the subject of a consultant study presented in May 2021.
As proposed, the district would come into existence Jan. 1, 2026, to allow time to make the transition including budgetary items. Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar provided a detailed review of the study and discussions that have taken place over the past three years.
A plan backed unanimously by current district chiefs would have an operations level chief along with paid part-time staff for high fire danger days. This district would have a projected levy in the area of 8-9 mills, which would be higher than most districts currently levy.
The merged district will not include Fire District 2, which contracts with the Hutchinson Fire Department for protection services.
Commissioners also approved a proposal to commit funds to a “Make My Move” program to be coordinated by the Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce. This program is designed to provide incentives to attract new residents to Reno County.
The proposal was initially presented to the Commission in October, and additional information requested by them has been provided. Since that presentation, Commission Chair Randy Parks has met with some Reno County mayors and their representatives who indicated, at least on their individual part, they were supportive of the concept.
Commissioners desired some modifications to the contract between the Chamber and Make My Move related to definitions of a bonafide resident and related to termination. This will be funded through the county’s economic development fund.
Among routine items, the Commission approved multiple resolutions authorizing year-end transfer of funds from various county departments to their capital, reserve, and special equipment funds as applicable. A new reserve fund was also approved for economic development.
The Commission also approved a resolution adopting the Region G Hazard Mitigation Plan, which has to be updated every five years and covers an 11-county area of south central Kansas. Commissioner John Whitesel opposed adoption of the plan as presented based on one section dealing with planning equity. Adoption of this plan is a requirement to be eligible for federal aid in the event of a disaster.
Other approvals included a supplemental agreement for engineering services on the Victory Road bridge replacement near Buhler, cancellation of a maintenance agreement for lighting at K-96 and Wilson Road, purchase of a detective and administrative vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office and trade-in of two other vehicles, a three year agreement with SCS for solid waste consulting services, and a maintenance agreement with the city of Pretty Prairie for maintenance of the Reno/Kingman County Joint Fire District 1 Station.
The solar moratorium in Reno County was also extended to March 1. The existing moratorium on commercial scale solar projects is set to expire Saturday, and the extension will allow the Planning Commission to continue work on developing solar regulations. Public Works Director Don Brittain told Commissioners he did not expect completion of the regulations to take that long, and as in the past the moratorium can be lifted once regulations are in place.
