HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission made an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation Tuesday to develop a local road safety plan. They will utilize Kirkham Michael and Associates to provide professional engineering services at an estimated cost of $50,000. The federal government will pay $45,000 of that cost with the county paying the rest.

This would be done for all major collector and paved routes in the county. This is required in order to be considered for KDOT project funding.

The commission also agreed to a contract with Kirkham Michael and Associates to provide professional engineering services for the physical year 2021 high risk rural sign project grant. This will ensure all road signs in the county are up to code and in good shape.

A special use permit for Dale Lehman for a manufacturing facility and retail sales facility at the intersection of McNew Road and K-96 was also approved.

In 2006, he applied for a zoning permit to construct a house and shed, but there was no mention of the intent to begin manufacturing accessory structures on the property. He has been adding to the facility over the years. This past spring, Lehman approached county planners about adding a retail establishment on a parcel of land he recently purchased. The land is adjacent to the manufacturing facility.