Highlights from 11-26-25 Reno County Commission meeting, note December meeting schedule changes

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

Reno County Commission Meeting Summary

At the Nov. 26, 2025 meeting, the Reno County Commission handled a full agenda that included year-end financial housekeeping, annual reports from key county offices, and approval of a multi-jurisdictional agreement connected to a major upcoming development. In attendance were Chairman Don Bogner, Co-chairman Ron Hirst and Commissioner Richard Winger. Commissioners Randy Parks and Ron Vincent were not at the meeting.

Please note that the commission meetings held in December will be on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, on Dec. 3rd and 17th. This is a change in schedule from the usual second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays in a month. 

To view the meeting and past meetings, go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams. 
To view agendas and supporting documents, go to www.renocountyks.gov/agendas 

Consent Agenda Approved

Commissioners approved a lengthy year-end consent agenda, which primarily consisted of routine fund-transfer resolutions used to close out the fiscal year. Reno County Counselor Patrick Hoffman explained these transfers provide the documentation auditors require and are traditionally handled before December. The agenda also included appointments to the Planning Commission and the Public Building Commission.

Reno County Clerk Jenna Fager presented her department's annual report.

Reno County Clerk Presents Annual Report

Reno County Clerk Jenna Fager, completing her first year in the role, delivered her annual report. With half of her office being newly hired, she highlighted a year of transition and training.

Key points from the Clerk’s report:

• Prepared and mailed the annual tax roll on Nov. 20, 2025.

• Managed budgeting and financial administration tasks, including claims review and upcoming 1099 processing.

• Worked closely with the Treasurer’s Office on property-tax administration and certification of mill levies.

• Successfully trained 175 election workers and administered the 2025 city/school election, which saw just over 18% turnout and 7,983 votes counted.

• Continued statutory duties including KORA requests, fixed-asset management, and maintaining legal publications.

Commissioners praised the Clerk’s office for its smooth election processes and strong customer service.

Treasurer Richele Calvert presented her department's annual report,

Treasurer Reports on Financial Operations

Treasurer Richele Calvert also presented her annual report, emphasizing a busy year marked by strengthened financial security and major tax-distribution work.

Highlights include:

• Increased investment earnings by competitively bidding large CDs to local banks.

• Implemented stronger fraud-prevention measures, including high-security checks and “positive pay” bank verification.

• Purchased an automated currency counter to improve efficiency and detect counterfeit bills.

• Completed five of six major tax distributions, totaling $128.7 million sent to local taxing entities so far.

• Maintained one of the highest-rated tag departments in Kansas following a state audit.

• Managed the statewide reissue of personalized license plates, a process that occurs once every five years.

• Mailed 2025 tax statements ahead of schedule and is preparing for challenges posed by the national penny shortage.

Commissioners shared positive personal experiences with the Treasurer’s Office, noting smooth tag renewals and strong customer service.

Commissioner Richard Winger talked about he and his wife's experience as they paid their tags and taxeds recently.Commissioner Don Bogner commented how the Treasurer's staff "put up" with him and his brothers when they came in recently.

Reno County Counselor Patrick Hoffman spoke to commissioners about the collaboration between the City of Hutchinson, City of South Hutchinson and Reno County in preparing a Memorandum of Understanding between the three entities. 

Commission Approves Annexation Moratorium MOU

Commissioners unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Reno County, the City of Hutchinson, and the City of South Hutchinson.
The agreement ensures no city will pursue annexation of the Evergy project site until construction is complete, allowing the large-scale development to move forward without jurisdictional conflict.

Officials emphasized close collaboration among all parties and the importance of keeping the project on schedule.

Reno County Administrator Randy Partington talks about recent sales-tax receipts are outpacing last year and that the economy in Reno County is good right now.


Katy Fallon, Economic Development Project Manager of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, reminded residents that "Small Business Saturday" is this weekend and emphasized that roughly 65–67 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community.

Financial Update and Sales-Tax Trends

Reno County Administrator Randy Partington reported that:

• Financial reports through October show revenues largely collected for the year, with significant expenditures still to come.

• Recent sales-tax receipts continue to outpace last year, with Reno County already exceeding its 2024 total.

• If December receipts arrive before year-end, the county expects to surpass $6 million in sales-tax revenue.

Partington also noted the county’s sales-tax survey will open to the broader public next week via QR code.

Katy Fallon, Economic Development Project Manager of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, reminded residents that "Small Business Saturday" is this weekend and emphasized that roughly 65–67 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioners discussed recent public feedback about property taxes, upcoming regional meetings, and recent economic-development activities. They encouraged residents to learn about county operations through the Reno County website, and expressed appreciation for staff across departments.

Commissioners Ron Hirst and Randy Parks also highlighted strong economic-development discussions during recent joint meetings with local cities and the Chamber.

EMS Facilities and Call Volume Growing

Commissioners reported updates from a recent EMS transparency meeting:

• Two new ambulance-housing facilities are near completion and under budget.

• Staff tested turning radiuses before driveway installation to avoid costly design mistakes.

• Countywide EMS call volume continues to rise significantly.

• Some new equipment ordered up to three years ago is still delayed due to supply-chain issues.

• Transfer services remain a valuable revenue offset for EMS operations.

• Response times remain strong despite temporary routing issues caused by road construction.

Upcoming Community Events

• Turon Fire Station Open House: Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4–6 p.m.
• December 11th is our December meeting of the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD). 
• December 12th, is the K 96 corridor meeting. 
• December 15th, is the 4th Quarter Central Plains Quad-County Planning Forum on Monday December 15th at 11:45 a.m. at the NMC Health hospital, 600 Medical Center Drive, in Newton.