Commissioners recognize Roederer, Advance Addiction Funding, Renew Insurance Coverage and Set KAC Delegates

The Reno County Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

A retirement recognition was held for Financial Specialist Leslie Roederer, honoring her 11 years of service to Reno County. Commissioners and staff thanked her for her role in maintaining strong county finances and supporting multiple departments.

No public comments were offered.

Commissioners added one business item related to the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) voting delegate form to the agenda. The consent agenda was then approved, including:

• Payment of vouchers

• Replacement appointments to the Reno County Health Department Advisory Board

• Declaring a 2016 Ford 3500 RCAT cutaway bus as surplus for auction and authorizing the County Administrator to sign the title

Business Items – Actions Taken

1. Reno County/City of Hutchinson Fights Addiction Fund – 2026 Funding
Commissioners approved a $55,000 allocation from opioid settlement funds to Reno Connections/United Way for 2026 to support “warm handoff” services for individuals impacted by opioid use disorder.
Discussion emphasized:

• These are settlement dollars from opioid manufacturers/retailers, not local tax revenue.

• Funds must be spent within specific statutory categories tied to prevention, treatment, and recovery.

• The program helps clients obtain IDs, housing, employment, transportation, and other supports.

• Outcome reporting and transparency are required; staff will return in early 2026 with results from the current funding cycle.

2. Department of Aging – 2026 Agency Funded Agreements
Commissioners approved 2026 agreements with:

• First Call for Help

• Hutchinson Meals on Wheels

• Hutchinson Community College – Volunteer Center (RSVP)

• Interfaith Housing & Community Services

These contracts use previously budgeted funds to support services for residents 60 and older, including home-delivered meals, minor home repairs and safety modifications, volunteer services, and limited emergency assistance. Agencies report back monthly and quarterly on services provided.

3. Reno County 2026 Insurance Coverage
Fee Insurance Group presented the county’s 2026 insurance renewal, covering property, liability, auto, umbrella, cyber, and crime.
Key points:

• Overall premiums will increase by about 12% (approximately $98,000), driven largely by national trends in liability and auto claims and increased property values.

• The County considered but declined an option to adopt a $10,000 per-vehicle auto deductible, due to the potential impact of hail and other widespread events on multiple vehicles.

• Commissioners approved the 2026 insurance package without the higher auto deductible and authorized the County Administrator to sign the agreement and related documents.

4. KAC Voting Delegate Form
Commissioners designated:

• Commissioner Ron Hirst – Primary voting delegate

• Chairman Don Bogner – First alternate

• Michael Plank – Second alternate
  for the upcoming Kansas Association of Counties conference.

County Administrator Report

County Administrator Randy Partington noted:

• The Quad County meeting will be held December 15 in Newton.

• The Kansas Natural Resource Coalition annual policy meeting is scheduled for December 8 in Wichita.

• The Turon Fire Station will host an open house (“decoupling”) on Saturday from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

County Counselor Patrick Hoffman also placed into the record that:

• The County received an annexation petition from the City of South Hutchinson, but under the recently approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hutchinson and South Hutchinson, no hearing will be set, consistent with that agreement. This is to clarify the record for any future questions.

Commissioner Comments

During commissioner comments, discussion included:

• Interest in working through KAC to seek a change in state statute that currently requires counties to sell certain herbicide/insecticide products at 25% below cost, shifting the burden to local taxpayers. Commissioners expressed support for exploring a recommendation that the law be amended to allow sales at cost instead.

Financial Specialist Leslie Roederer, spoke about her 11 years of public service to Reno County.

Financial Specialist Leslie Roederer, is recognized and honored for her 11 years of public service to Reno County.Phil Auxier talks about the applicants for the Reno County/City of Hutchinson Fights Addiction Fund Grant Program for 2026. 

Reo County Counselor Patrick Hoffman clarifies information about the Reno County/City of Hutchinson Fights Addiction Fund Grant Program.



Candace Davidson, Health Dept. Health Education Promotion Supervisor, explains that she will bring the recap for how the grant funds are spent by the applicants who received them for the Reno County/City of Hutchinson Fights Addiction Fund Grant Program. 

Reno County Commission Chairman Don Bogner clarifies that the money for the Reno County/City of Hutchinson Fights Addiction Fund Grant Program is not from local tax dollars.

Kandace Bonnesen, Dir. of Dept. of Aging and Transportation details the Department of Aging 2026 Agency Funded Agreements with First Call for Help, Hutchinson Meals on Wheels, Hutchinson Community College – Volunteer Center – RSVP and Interfaith Housing & Community Services.Reno County Co-chairman Ron Hirst thanks staff for all of their work during that afternoon's Holiday Dinner and Open House at the Dept. of Aging and Transportation Building. 



Bob Fee, Fee Insurance Group, reviews the county's insurance information with commissioners Wednesday. 

Reno County Commissioner Ron Vincent talks to Bob Fee with Fee Insurance. 




Reno County Commissioner Randy Parks Randy Parks explained that when he explored switching agents last year, they learned only a few companies offer this coverage and the alternative quote was higher than Fee Insurance’s.