HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Although no final decision was made at Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting, commissioners appear to be on track to sunset the bonds that were used to build the Reno County Correctional Facility, improve the Reno County Jail Annex and improve security at the courthouse.

The county expects to save $879,400 in interest and maybe have as much as $1 million from the sales tax collected that won’t need to be spent on the project.

Former County Commissioner Dan Deming, who was very much involved in getting the jail bond issue approved, says he’s happy with the outcome:

 

The commission was told it could spend the $1 million in savings for items associated with the project voters approved. The commission is considering setting up a maintenance fund. That fund could be used if issues arise with the jail or some of the security equipment.

The plan is to pass a resolution on March 19 and provide notice to the Kansas Department of Revenue to sunset the tax on April 1. The tax would then sunset on July 1. On Aug. 1, the county could deposit funds to the treasurer’s office. On Sept. 1, the bonds would officially be paid off.

Deming, who was always a spending hawk while on the commission, says he’s happy with the savings to the county:

 

The commission will adopt the resolution to sunset the half-cent jail tax on March 19. It is expected to come off the books July 1.