By Lucky Kidd
RENO COUNTY, Kan. — Reno county Commissioners Wednesday approved replacement of the HVAC control systems for the Courthouse and the adjoining Law Enforcement Center and Health Department whose systems are interconnected. The existing system was installed in 2008 as part of an energy efficiency project and the controller for it has failed. The proposal submitted by Sandifer Engineering is compatible with much of the existing system which helps with the cost that comes to just over $55,000
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Ron Hirst brought up a concern about temperatures in offices he says is costing the county Monday. He noticed that thermostats in those offices are generally set between 69 and 72 degrees, about three degrees or so less than what he said would be the most energy efficient. Hirst indicated it would not take a major change to address this issue.
Phil Nightengale from Mel Hambleton Ford’s Salt City Racing gave Commissioners an update on their inaugural race season on the Kansas State Fairgrounds’ historic half mile track, which he called a success save for a rainout of Friday night’s final regular race that was to be their season championships. There will be one final “open” race on Oct. 5.
The biggest race of the season was a 100 lap USAC sanctioned race that was just the 14th race in track history to go that many. How successful it was is indicated by the fact there were no available hotel rooms in either Hutchinson or McPherson. A representative from another sanctioning group who came to watch the races ended up having to stay in Salina.
Heather Faulkner from the Reno County Childcare Task Force provided an update on their work to the Commission, informing them the accelerator grants it received to go with county-provided ARPA funds are making an impact now. Of the 11 childcare projects being funded, seven are now in operation, two more will open before year’s end and two will open after the first of the year. When fully operational they will have 417 daycare slots.
The first of those to open, Haven USD 312’s childcare program, started out with 38 slots, and this year through a partnership with the Early Education Center they now have 125 slots in two locations. Faulkner said there has also been growth in the number of home care providers, which has increased by 20 percent.
An umbrella organization for child care providers continues to be in the works, and to make sure everything is set up the way it needs to be, the launch date for it has been delayed from Jan. 1 to June 1.
Commissioners approved updates to juvenile program policies for Community Corrections. These updates were recommended by the Kansas Department of Corrections, and cover policies on independent living, Medicaid and child support enforcement eligibility, and webcam usage.
County Appraiser Michael Blank gave Commissioners his annual report, and in that he reported the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Property Valuation Division has found the Appraiser’s Office was found to be in “substantial compliance” with their guidelines, which is the highest designation it gives.
The Commission approved an agreement for construction engineering inspection services with Kirkham Michaels connected with a project to upgrade all signage on all county roads west of K-14, The $211,000 contract is part of a KDOT grant that is covering the entire cost of the project. Disposal of various surplus property from four departments was also approved.
