HUTCHINSON, Kan. — At the end of the Reno County Commission meeting Tuesday, all three commissioners went through their individual lists of things to consider.

Commissioner Dan Deming went first and brought up familiar themes. He wants the commission to consider expanding from three members to five, something he has pushed for years.

Deming noted that, if the other commissioners agree, he would let voters make the final decision in the fall election. However, that would mean coming up with five districts. It leaves uncertainty in how the county would be divided. Commission Chair Ron Hirst noted that he is not a proponent of this idea, while commissioner Bob Bush made no comment.

The commission, as part of the 2019 budget, will consider District Attorney Keith Schroeder’s request to hire two additional attorneys and add additional office space. Commissioner Deming also wants to look at options for reducing the District Attorney’s workload using programs such as adult diversion for certain non-violent offenses.

Commissioner Deming also suggested a 2-year pilot program to reward department heads and elected officials for reducing the amount of money left in their end-of-year budget, making them eligible for 5, 10 and 15 percent bonuses based on reductions from the previous year’s carryover fund. That would not include capital spending budgeted annually. This would have to be planned and worked out with County Administrator Gary Meagher.

Commissioner Bob Bush also wants to prove that some claims being made about illegal voting in the county are false. He maintains that checks and balances are in place.

Commissioner Hirst wants to see about adding an additional officer to the Reno County Drug Unit with the city of Hutchinson contributing some dollars for that addition.

All three want to schedule study sessions to look deeper into bigger county issues.