Highlights from the Oct. 8 Reno County Commission Meeting

Reno County Commission Declares Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Addresses WIC Funding, and Reviews 2030 Economic Development Plan

Commissioners are photographed with IT staff Andrew Hudson and Tim McClatchey with the proclamation.


IT Director Tim McClatchey said that the introduction of the proclamation was aimed to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity not only within county operations but also across the broader community.  

Chairman Don Bogner opened the meeting by presenting a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Reno County. Joined by Tim McClatchey, IT Director, the Board emphasized the importance of protecting county systems and raising awareness among residents about online security. 

Heather Peterson, WIC Coordinator at the Reno County Health Department

During the public comment period, Heather Peterson, WIC Coordinator, addressed the temporary lapse in federal funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. She asked commissioners if they could fund WIC staff until federal funds are reinstated. County Administrator Randy Partington told commissioners that money from the Health Department Fund 003 could be used to maintain WIC staff. The Fund 003 is grant funding and "will not be an additional burden on the taxpayers," said Partington. Commissioners unanimously approved the request, ensuring that services for local families continue without interruption.

County Administrator Randy Partington explained the requested addition to the consent agenda.

Public Works Director Don Brittain explained the reasoning for the JEO Enginering agreement for Mills and McNew Road.County Counselor Patrick Hoffman answered questions about the contract for the Health Department renovations.

County Administrator Randy Partington proposed adding an agreement with JEO Consulting Group for survey work on Mills and McNew Road, part of the Evergy/Industrial Park project. The addition to the Consent Agenda was approved, with Public Works Director Don Brittain providing additional context about the project’s scope and County Counselor Patrick Hoffman explaining details.

The Consent Agenda:

• Approval of vouchers and meeting minutes from July 2025.

• An amendment to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, adding the City of South Hutchinson.

• A JEO Engineering agreement for Wilson Road guardrail design.

• A contract with Landmark Architects for Health Department renovations.

• A KDHE property access request at 600 Scott Boulevard for environmental testing related to the former Hutchinson Air Base Industrial Tract.

• The added JEO survey agreement for Mills and McNew Road.
  
  

  The Board also heard two major presentations:

• Community Corrections Director Randy Regehr delivered the FY25 Annual Report, highlighting progress in reducing recidivism, strengthening behavioral health programs, and expanding felony drug diversion initiatives. Regehr also spoke about State Funding Enhancement Requests. 

  Director Randy Regehr gave the FY25 Annual Community Corrections Report.

  
  

• Debra Teufel, President of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber, and Amy Holloway of AHA Advisors presented the Reno County Economic Development Strategic Plan through 2030 called Elevate Reno County. The plan outlines key strategies for workforce development, economic diversification, and community image-building. Doug Kinsinger of Opportunity Funding discussed fundraising efforts to support plan implementation.

• Katy Fallon, Economic Development Project  Manager with Greater Hutch, hands out a copy of the Elevate Reno County plan.Hutchinson / Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO & President Debra Teufel gave details to the Elevate Reno County. Amy Holloway, AHA Advisors, gave the Reno County Economic Development Strategic Plan presentation. 

• Doug Kinsinger, Principal with Opportunity Funding, spoke to commissioners about future fundraising efforts. 
  
  Katy Fallon, Economic Development Project  Manager with Greater Hutch, gave updates to the Make My Move program.
  
  Lauren Storm, Business Retention and Workforce Program Manager with Greater Hutch, gave updates on the implementation of the grant funds.
  
  

Commissioners expressed strong support for the economic development plan and praised the collaborative work of community partners.

Reno County Commissioners Richard Winger, left, Ron Hirst, Don Bogner, Randy Parks and Ron Vincent.

The meeting concluded with departmental updates and a brief executive session.

To view a livestream of this meeting or previous meetings, go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams. Agendas and related documents can be found at www.renocountyks.gov/agendas