Reno County Passes Resolution 2026-12 Establishing Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District

Click Reno Co Resolution 2026-12 STAR District Creation (PDF) to view the entire resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-12

A RESOLUTION OF RENO COUNTY, KANSAS, ESTABLISHING A STAR BOND PROJECT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO K.S.A. 12‑17,160 ET SEQ. AND MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH (SALT LICK STAR BOND PROJECT DISTRICT).

WHEREAS, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-17,160 et seq. (the “Act”), the Board of County Commissioners (the “Governing Body”) of Reno County, Kansas (the “County”) is authorized to create a STAR bond project district within an eligible area of the County for certain purposes set forth in the Act; and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body has heretofore adopted Resolution No. 2026-09 (the “Resolution”) which provided that: (a) the County is considering establishment of a STAR bond project district to be known as the “Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District” to promote, stimulate and develop the general and economic welfare of the state of Kansas and the County as a major commercial entertainment and tourism area; (b) described the proposed boundaries of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District; (c) described the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District plan; (d) stated that a description and map of the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District is available for inspection at the Veteran’s Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas, during regular business hours; (e) called a public hearing on the establishment of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District to be held on May 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Veteran’s Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas; and (f) stated that the Governing Body will consider findings necessary for establishment of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District consists of approximately 605.09 +/- acres of land generally located west of N. Victory Road, north of E. 4th Avenue, east of Buhler Road, and south of E. 30th Avenue; and

WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was provided in accordance with the provisions of the Act, by: (a) providing a copy of the Resolution via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Board of Education, Unified School District No. 313, Reno County, Kansas (Buhler); (b) providing a copy of the Resolution via certified mail, return receipt requested, to each owner and occupant of land within the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District not more than 10 days following the date of adoption of the Resolution; (c) publishing a copy of the Resolution once in the official County newspaper not less than one week nor more than two weeks preceding the date fixed for the public hearing; and (d) posting a copy of the Resolution at a prominent location on the first page of the website of the County; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to such notice the public hearing was conducted by the Governing Body on May 13, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the County has received from the Secretary of Commerce of the State of Kansas (the “Secretary”) a determination that the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District is an “eligible area” as said term is defined in the Act; and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body desires to establish the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF RENO COUNTY, KANSAS, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. 

Findings. The Governing Body hereby finds that notice of the public hearing conducted May 13, 2026, was made in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Governing Body hereby further finds and determines that the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District described in the Resolution constitutes a “major commercial entertainment and tourism area,” an “eligible area” and therefore a “STAR bond project” as said terms are defined in the Act.

Section 2. 

Creation of STAR Bond Project District. A STAR bond project district is hereby created within the County in accordance with the provisions of the Act, which shall consist of the real estate legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference, and shall be known as the “Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District.” A map depicting the boundaries of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District is attached hereto as Exhibit B, which is incorporated herein by reference. The boundaries of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District do not contain any property not referenced in the Resolution, which provided notice of the public hearing on the creation of the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District.

Section 3. 

District Plan. Within the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District, it is anticipated that a unique asset in the County’s community will be developed, which will serve as a distinctive golf-focused destination for visitors to the County and for citizens within the community (collectively, the “Project”). In addition, the Project also includes lodging facilities, which will add substantial volume of new hospitality rooms into the County. The following preliminary plan for the proposed Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District (the “District Plan”), as presented to the Governing Body this date, is hereby approved:

The buildings and facilities to be constructed or improved in the STAR bond project district generally may include a mixed-use development consisting of some or all of the following uses: golf facilities, hunting facilities, lodging uses, restaurant uses, retail uses, general commercial development, and associated public and private infrastructure. The Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District may consist of multiple STAR bond project areas as delineated in one or more STAR bond project plans to be approved for property within the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District.

Section 4. 

Applicable Incentives. The following state, federal, and local tax incentives apply, or are anticipated to apply, within the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District, or a business located or to be located within the Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District:

STAR bond financing; community improvement district financing; general improvement

and assessment financing; tax increment financing; economic development revenue bond financing and related tax abatements and exemptions; and state and federal grants.

Section 5. 

Further Action. The Chairman, County Administrator, County Counselor, County Clerk and other officials and employees of the County, including Gilmore & Bell, P.C., Bond Counsel, are hereby further authorized and directed to take such other actions as may be appropriate or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Resolution.

Section 6. 

Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective upon its passage and execution by the Governing Body, and publication one time in the official County newspaper.

EXHIBIT B

MAP OF Salt Lick STAR Bond Project District