Reno County Commission Reviews House Bills 2745 and 2728; Receives Emergency Management Annual Report

Reno County Commission Meeting Summary — February 11, 2026

Reno County Commission Chair Ron Hirst, in second from right.

Opening

• Commission Chair Ron Hirst called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer by Gary Getting (Elliott Mortuary).

  Commission Chair Ron Hirst made early remarks on two Kansas House bills:

  • HB 2745 (taxation/property tax cap timing concerns): Concern that the bill’s timing and election requirements make it impractical for counties/cities to use, and that state lawmakers did not coordinate with local governments on workable timelines.

  • HB 2728 (energy siting/local control): Concern it reduces local citizen input on energy projects (including battery storage/alternative systems) by shifting siting authority to the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), limiting local decision-making.

Public Comment

• No public comments were made on items not on the agenda.

Consent Agenda (Approved unanimously)

The Commission approved the consent agenda, including:

• Payment vouchers.

• Purchase of up to two used Sheriff’s Office vehicles (not to exceed $39,000 plus trade-in value).

• Zoning regulation text amendments (Planning Case #2025-10; Resolution 2026-02).

• Rezoning ~180 acres from R-2 to AG near N. Buhler Rd & E. 4th Ave to eliminate high-density subdivision potential (Planning Case #2025-11; Resolution 2026-03).

• Conditional Use Permit for a golf course resort on AG-zoned parcels at the same location (Planning Case #2025-12; Resolution 2026-04).

• Public Works purchases and surplus actions:

  • Purchase of two tandem axle dump truck chassis (Truck Center Companies, Wichita) totaling $519,239.

  • Declare two 2012 Freightliner units as surplus and authorize the County Administrator to sign titles.

    Mark Vonachen, Reno County Planner II

• Clarification provided to the public: County Planner II Mark Vonachen explained the golf course-related rezoning back to AG was recommended because the previous R-2 zoning was tied to earlier residential-intent planning; the current proposal is not intended to create individually sold residential lots (lodging is anticipated for golfers, but not private residential subdivisions).

Tabled Item from Jan. 28

• The agenda listed a tax abatement request for property owned by Mark Coberly (4003 E. 23rd Ave, Hutchinson) related to June 17, 2025 storm damage. 

Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar

Business Item: Emergency Management Annual Report

Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar presented highlights from the report:

• Disaster declaration process: Used to quickly access state/federal resources during longer events (firefighting task forces, aircraft, helicopters, etc.). Often initiated via a verbal declaration to mobilize resources, then formalized at a regular meeting.

• Reimbursement overview:

  • County typically covers roughly the first $290,000 before state assistance thresholds apply toward a potential federal declaration.

  • If thresholds are met, reimbursements can cover up to 75% of eligible costs (county remains responsible for 25%).

  • Reimbursements are staff-intensive and can take about two years to return to local applicants.

• FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant): Designed for rapid support for large, uncontrolled fires threatening populated areas; thresholds were discussed (county and statewide).

• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation levels:

  • Watch / Partial / Full activation.

  • Full activations may operate from the Fire Training Center (space/technology limits at the county building).

  • Last full activation referenced: wildfires north of Hutchinson in December.

    
    

    Emergency Management Director Adam Wesihaar hands out hats to commissioners with the new Fire District #1 logo.

    
    

• CERT program: Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team supports logistics (donations, feeding responders, sheltering, etc.), with monthly training and ~30 active volunteers depending on the year.

• Fire District consolidation update:

  • Eight rural districts merged into Reno County Fire District #1 effective January 1.

  • New logo adopted (commissioners were provided hats with the new logo).

  • Operational challenges include finalizing CAD/response plans while waiting on a state “nearest number,” but benefits include improved ability to dispatch appropriate resources without prior “automatic aid” limitations.

  • Funding concerns were discussed: some firefighters see a larger combined budget and expect rapid purchases; Adam emphasized prioritizing needs vs. wants while protecting safety/PPE needs.

• Public-facing information:

  • Burn questions: Emergency Management office number 620-694-2793 (admin assistant, 9–6 M–F).

  • Burn permissions are handled through 911’s non-emergency process based on National Weather Service wind criteria; a single commissioner cannot override it—only the Board could change the resolution.
    
    

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Richard Winger, left.
Richard Winger

• Clarified a prior statement regarding the county museum, noting it was established by local vote rather than state mandate.

• Emphasized balancing essential services with broader community services during the budgeting process.

• Shared positive observations about local economic activity based on recent event attendance and vendor feedback.

  
  

  Commissioner Don Bogner, center
  
  Don Bogner

• Highlighted recent editorials encouraging civility and respectful discussion of differing viewpoints.

• Thanked county, city, and township crews for effective snow removal efforts.

• Expressed concern about proposed state legislation that could reduce local control over taxation and water policy.

• Warned that limiting local revenue authority without replacement funding could impact essential services.

  
  

  Commissioner Ron Vincent, right.

  
  Ron Vincent

• Reached out to state legislators regarding property tax proposals but did not receive a response.

• Clarified that Reno County is not involved in the upcoming City of Hutchinson sales tax vote.

• Addressed ongoing public confusion stemming from earlier joint city-county sales tax discussions.

  
  

  Commissioner Randy Parks, in second from right.

  
  Randy Parks

• Discussed conversations with state representatives about proposed property tax and local control legislation.

• Voiced concern about limiting local revenue flexibility without dependable replacement funding.

• Encouraged residents to contact legislators and stay engaged in the legislative process.

• Supported submitting written testimony on HB 2745 on behalf of the Commission.
  
  
  Commission Chair Ron Hirst
  Ron Hirst
  
  

• Supported calls for civil and respectful public dialogue.

• Raised concerns about proposed state legislation affecting local control.

• Emphasized that capping revenue sources without structural funding changes could make meeting state-mandated obligations difficult.

• Encouraged public participation in upcoming legislative forums.

   

  County Administrator Randy Partington

County Administrator Report (Randy Partington)

• Noted the packet included monthly department reports (Aging/Transit, Appraiser, Automotive, Clerk, Communications, Community Corrections, District Attorney, Emergency Management, etc.).

• Announced a County Commission retreat:

  • Friday, February 20, starting 8:30 AM, expected to run until ~12:30–1:00 PM

  • Location: new Reno County Training Center

  • Open to the public; department heads/directors invited

• Discussed potential written testimony on HB 2745, due that day (mid-afternoon). The group agreed to submitting something on behalf of the Commission (with Chair’s signature), given short timelines.

Executive Session & Adjournment

• The Commission entered executive session until 10:10 AM to discuss non-elected personnel (position of County Counselor), citing personnel matters as justification.

• After returning, they reported no decisions were made in executive session and then adjourned.

Upcoming Dates

• Weather Identification and Safety Presentation: February 23 at 6:30 PM at the Hutchinson Fire Department Command Training Center at 3201 E. 4th Avenue.

• Nickerson Fire Station Open House: February 28, 4–7 PM at 206 South Burr, NIckerson. Enjoy potato soup, garlic bread and dessert!

• County Commission Retreat: February 20 at 8:30 AM at new Reno County Training Center – open to the public.

• Legislative Forum: February 14 at 9:00 AM  at Stringer Fine Arts Center, Hutchinson Community College.
  
  

To watch the livestream of the meeting, go to https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams

To look at current and past BOCC agendas and related documents, go to https://www.renocountyks.gov/agendas

To obtain burn permits, go to https://www.renocountyks.gov/Controlled-Burn-Guidelines