HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved its 2019 budget. The mill levy will stay at 41.675 mills with a total budget of $67,252,698.

One of the issues that came up during the meeting was whether Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder should be allowed to add another attorney for his office. Commissioner Dan Deming was opposed to spending the estimated $100,000 in salary and benefits it would cost for an additional attorney.

 

The other two commissioners disagreed. There was a special vote over the issue so Deming could vote against it, yet vote in favor of the overall budget.

Earlier, the commission had approved adding an additional person to the IT Department while denying the request for an additional bus driver for Rcat.

The budget also adds a 3 percent step increase for qualified employees.

Commissioners voted to publish the budget. There will be a couple of public meetings and the formal hearing on Aug. 7.

The commission also plans on having an evening meeting Aug. 6 at the Hutchinson Public Library. That meeting will give residents a chance to attend and ask questions if they are unable to attend the day meeting.

*Note: The formal meeting is actually on Aug. 7.  We apologize for the error.