Here is a round up of the items on the Reno County Commission agenda from March 12, 2025. 

1. Reno County Health Department Director Karla Nichols introduced Kathy Winger, who after 37 years of public service, will be retiring from health department. Throughout her career, she has held various job titles and worked under four different directors, but she has consistently served the health department as an Administrative Associate V.  A retirement reception honoring Kathy will be held from 2-4 pm next on Wednesday, March 19th, in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Avenue.

2. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda:

Jeremy Bishop spoke to the Reno County Commission about a problem he is having with his township with his tree row. Commissioners and the Reno County Counselor Patrick Hoffman said that they do not have jurisdiction or authority with township questions. 

Speaking to the Reno County Commission, Karen Drake said that she would have liked to have received advance notice about changes near her property before final plans were officially announced. She noted that she had not been informed about the construction of the new Evergy natural gas plant that will be built near her property. She was also concerned about any future developments along the K-96 corridor.

3. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Reno County Board of Commissioners and Prairie Dunes was passed with 4 voting for and Ron Vincent voting against the motion. According to the MOU, Reno County will contribute an amount not to exceed $100,000 to Prairie Dunes for the purpose of hosting the USGA 2029 U.S. Senior Men's Open. 

4. Reno County Health Department Director Karla Nichols requested that the commission approve the presented grant applications for the Aid-to-Local (ATL) Grant Application for $975,950.27, and KDHE Healthy Families passthrough grant for $320,000. The commission approved the grant applications. 

5. Joe Hammeke, Director of Reno County Youth Services, gave the department's Annual Report to the commission Wednesday. 

6. Keith Nisly was appointed by the commission, with a 3-2 vote, to serve a three-year term on the Reno County Planning Commission. 

7. The commission moved to approve the Amended Planning Commission recommendation to create Article 26 of the Zoning Regulation and amend the Table of Contents as presented by staff. This created regulations for commercial solar projects in the zoned areas of Reno County. In addition, there is a commercial solar ban in the Ninnescah River Watershed.

8. County Administrator Randy Partington announced that the Housing Discussion will be held at 10 am, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the South Hutchinson Community Center. 

9. Commissioner Randy Parks announced that there will be two more opportunities for people to have Coffee With The Appraiser. The first event will be on from 9 - 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in the CosmoWorks room at The Clayworks, 1125 N. Main. This event is free to the public and everyone is invited to come and listen to Appraiser Michael Plank as he goes through the overall appraisal process and then stay for the general question and answer session. Specific questions dealing with people's personal property will have to be answered during business hours in the Appraiser's Office in the Reno County Annex, 125 W. First Avenue. 

A Town Hall event with the appraiser will be on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:30 pm in the Nickerson Community Center, 11 N Nickerson St, in Nickerson. This is a free, public event that anyone can attend. Just as the other event, Appraiser Michael Plank will go through the overall appraisal process and then stay for a general question and answer session. Specific questions dealing with people's personal property will have to be answered in the Appraiser's Office in the Reno County Annex, 125 W. First Avenue.

To see agendas and minutes from Reno County Commission meetings, go to BOCC Agendas and Minutes.

To watch a livestream video of meetings, go to Reno County YouTube live channel.

Commissioner Richard Winger and Kathy WingerRecognition of Kathy Winger's 37 years at the Reno County Health Department with Commissioners and Reno County staffCommissioner Richard Winger congratulates his wife Kathy WingerKathy Winger and Karla NicholsKarla Nichols presents Kathy Winger for her recognition.Jeremy Bishop talks during public comment.Karen Drake talks during public comment. Allen Fee talks to commissioners about the USGA 2029 U.S. Senior Men's OpenBrad Pryor talks to the commissioners about the USGA 2029 U.S. Senior Men's OpenJoe Hammeke hands out his Youth Services Annual Report.Joe Hammeke talks about the Youth Service Annual ReportReno County Counselor Patrick Hoffman talks to commissioners. Don Brittain talks to commissioners Wednesday. Mark Vonachen talks to commissioners Wednesday. Reno County Commissioners Richard Winger, left, Ron Hirst, Don Bogner, Randy Parks and Ron Vincent.