HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will seek approval of a new policy for how it grants funds for economic development during Tuesday’s agenda session.

For the past few years, the City Council has provided cash incentives for economic development projects creating new jobs on a case-by-case basis. According to a memo from City Manager John Deardoff to the council, previous councils have been comfortable with this approach, citing more flexibility when looking at the various job creation projects that come before the council.

Other elected officials have cited the desire for a set policy like Reno County’s. For the past two or three years, the city has approved job incentive dollars equal to what Reno County provides based on its written policy that was originally adopted in 2010.

The proposed policy mirrors the county’s policy with a few exceptions. The county’s policy has a section stating that the applicant will not qualify for job incentives unless it satisfies the County Commission that a significant number of the new hires will be residents of Reno County — or persons likely to move to Reno County. The city has never made this a requirement with any past projects where job incentive money was allocated.

To qualify, a project must create a minimum of 10 new jobs with a minimum hourly wage of $15 per hour. The incentive package allows more funds if the jobs are higher paying and provide more positions.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Hutchinson City Council begins at 9 a.m. in the city offices.