HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council gave approval to hire a new consulting firm to help with the city’s benefits package.

The council agreed to hire USI Consulting out of Wichita at a cost of $58,500. According to Human Resources Director Tom Sanders, the city sent out a request for proposals to numerous firms earlier this year and got seven replies. These several firms were then interviewed by the Health and Wellness Committee.

Sanders says USI has its own in-house legal staff that will eliminate the need for an outside attorney to handle benefit cases involving city employees.

Also today, the council approved the issuance of $1.36 million in general obligation bonds for various projects, including the next phase of the North Main Street project at $725,000. Preliminary work on that project is already underway. The project will renovate Main from 16th Avenue to 9th Avenue.

The council also took time to sign a proclamation for the Smallville Festival and recognized the graduates from the first Citizens Police Academy.