Reno County Commission Sets Budget Maximum, Advances Meadowlark Renewable Natural Gas Project

The Reno County Board of County Commissioners began its July 8 regular meeting with an invitation from Reno County 4-H Ambassador Jacey Combs, who encouraged commissioners and the public to attend the upcoming Reno County Fair.

Jacey Combs, Reno County 4-H Ambassador

Reno County Commission Chair Ron Hirst, right, encourages people to attend the Reno County 4-H Fair.

Combs, a 10-year member of the Buhler 4-H Club and second-year Reno County Ambassador, said 4-H members are preparing to showcase a year’s worth of work.

“We are both excited and nervous to be able to present our exhibits during the Reno County Fair,” Combs said. “I would love to see all of you show up in support.”

The Reno County Fair begins with the dog show on Saturday, July 18, with additional fair events scheduled July 22-27. Commission Chair Ron Hirst encouraged residents to attend and support the youth exhibitors.

“Please everybody come out and see what these young folks have done with their projects and their full year’s life,” Hirst said.

Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers, the purchase of mobile radios for Reno County Fire District No. 1, a Community Corrections grant application, a school-based mentoring contract with Rise Up Reno, meeting minutes, a Sheriff’s Office cash drawer resolution related to Kansas Offender Registration Act fees, and the appointment of Jeremy Jensen as trustee to the Valley Township Board.

Kevin Cowan, Reno County Bond Counsel with Gilmore Bell. 

Casey Moye, Founder and CEO of Greenview Energy

Commission approves first step for Meadowlark project financing

Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-28, determining the advisability of issuing industrial revenue bonds for the Meadowlark project, a renewable natural gas facility planned in Reno County.

County Administrator Randy Partington explained the action was not final approval of the bonds, but a resolution of intent that allows the process to move forward while additional project details are finalized.

“This isn’t adopting the IRB,” Partington said. “This is kind of setting it in place with some conditions.”

Kevin Cowan, the county’s bond counsel, said the project may qualify for tax-exempt interest under federal law because of its connection to solid waste disposal. He said the resolution also helps preserve the ability for project costs already being incurred to later be reimbursed through tax-exempt bonds.

“This isn’t your final expression on the issuance of the bonds,” Cowan said. “There’s still some work to be done.”

The Meadowlark project would use biogas from the Reno County landfill, clean it and convert it into renewable natural gas. Casey Moye, Founder and CEO, Greenview Energy, said the gas would become a revenue source for the landfill.

“We will be taking the biogas from the landfill and cleaning it up and turning it into pure methane, which is renewable natural gas,” Moye said.

Commissioner Richard Winger said he sees the project as a positive use of landfill gas that would otherwise be flared.

“To me, it’s a win-win situation for the landfill,” Winger said. “We’re not building up unsafe amounts of gas there, and you guys are getting energy out of it, and we’re getting a little bit of money in return.”

Moye said the project has made “tremendous progress” in recent months, including securing a construction contractor and nearing completion on two easements needed to connect to a nearby pipeline. A fuller project update is expected at the July 22 Commission meeting.

County canvass set for August primary election

Commissioners set the county canvass for the August 4 gubernatorial primary election for 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at the Reno County Courthouse Annex conference room.

Partington said the canvass is typically held the week after an election. Because the canvass will begin at 9 a.m., the regular County Commission meeting that day is expected to start later, likely at 9:30 a.m.

Commissioner Don Bogner noted he will be unable to attend that day, and an alternate will be arranged.

County Administrator Randy Partington shows Commissioner Don Bogner the exact maximum budget number to announce for a motion. 

Commissioners set maximum budget authority, public hearing date

Commissioners also took action on the 2027 county and special district budgets, approving notices of intent related to the revenue neutral rate and setting maximum budget authority. Partington emphasized that the action does not adopt the final budget.

“This is not the budget that’s going to be adopted,” Partington said. “This is just setting that max so we can move to the next stage.”

The approved maximum for the county budget was set at 40.22 mills, or $32,874,265. Partington said additional budget discussions and possible cuts are expected before final adoption.

He said it would take approximately $1.9 million in reductions from the current proposed budget to keep the mill levy flat, and about $3.7 million in reductions to meet the revenue neutral rate.

Partington also reviewed historical budget trends, noting that Reno County’s tax levy and expenditures have generally tracked close to inflation over time. He said previous years’ reductions included deferred capital purchases, one-time cuts and use of cash balances.

Reno County Commission: Richard Winger, left, Don Bogner, Ron Hirst, Randy Parks and Richard Winger.

Commissioners discussed the importance of maintaining adequate cash reserves for emergencies and disasters.

“If there were a major disaster or something like that, we need to have those funds before we can get any help from other government agencies,” Hirst said. “We’ve got to have a decent reserve for the unknown.”

Commissioners approved a separate notice of revenue neutral rate intent for county special districts, including sewer and fire districts. Partington said those budgets are expected to remain at the revenue neutral rate, but the notice helps protect the dollar amount if final valuations change.

The Commission set the revenue neutral rate and budget hearing for Sept. 9, 2026, during the regularly scheduled 9 a.m. meeting in the Reno County Courthouse Veterans Room.

Commissioners reflect on Fourth of July, community events

During Commission comments, several commissioners reflected on the Fourth of July holiday and the importance of recognizing the country’s history and freedoms.

Commissioner Richard Winger shared a story about spending the holiday with family in Manhattan, where neighbors connected during a small celebration.

“I just wish more and more people would recognize the benefits and the joys that can come from living here,” Winger said.

Commissioner Don Bogner said he and Hirst recently attended a Quad County meeting, where other counties discussed data centers and related planning issues. Bogner said counties are trying to navigate new topics while learning from each other.

“The companies we’re dealing with, they’ve been at the party a long time,” Bogner said. “We’re the first dance.”

Commissioner Ron Vincent said public concern about data centers and battery energy storage systems has slowed, but he noted he is watching how other communities handle related discussions.

“I feel like this would be a good learning opportunity for us,” Vincent said.

Hirst also praised the Hutchinson Symphony and Reno County Choral Society for a recent 250th anniversary program at the Fox Theatre, calling it a “fantastic, outstanding program.” He also encouraged residents to attend the Reno County Fair and support 4-H youth.

“These are our leaders tomorrow,” Hirst said.

New property tax tool in development

After returning from executive session, Partington shared a preview of a property tax transparency tool being developed by Reno County Information Technology.

The online tool would allow residents to search for a property by address or map and view appraised value, assessed value, mill levy, special assessments and estimated annual taxes. It would also show how taxes are divided among taxing entities, including the county, city, schools, community college, library, townships, fire districts and other applicable districts.

Partington said the tool is not yet live, but the goal is to make it easier for residents to understand where their property tax dollars go.

“Trying to be as transparent as possible about where their tax dollars go, at least for the county,” Partington said.

Commissioners said the tool could help residents see that Reno County is only one portion of the total property tax bill.

The Commission entered executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. No decisions were made following the executive session.

The meeting was then adjourned.

The next Reno County Commission meeting will be held at 9 am on Wednesday, July 22nd, in the Reno County Veterans Room.

To view the agenda and related documents, go to https://www.renocountyks.gov/agendas

To view the meeting or previous meetings, go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams