HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Reno County Commission approved the cost sharing with the city of Hutchinson for an emergency alert system upgrade, which they say will do more things at less cost. The new system will cost the city and county a total of $9,950.

They also approved a bid from CACI Communications of Lenexa to install a fiber optic line to the new Reno County Correctional Facility and the R-Cat building at a cost of $255,127. They chose to use the line which will be underground, saying that the line would be less affected by weather.

County Administrator Gary Meagher’s contract was amended by the commission, which raises his annual base pay starting the first of the year to just over $117,000. His month deferred compensation would increase to $1,500. The commissioner’s agreed that his expertise in doing his job has been extremely valuable to the county.

They started the meeting by approving the consent agenda, which included appointing Jim Seitnater, Hutchinson Downtown Development Director, to the South Central Kansas Economic Development District board. That would be effective the first of next year.

They also discussed the purchase of a software upgrade for the Vertical Phone system from CTA of Wichita at a cost of $26,203, however that was only up for discussion and will be voted on at a later meeting.

One item that had been on the agenda was tabled for now and that is consideration over a secure entrance to the Law Enforcement Center and courthouse. A representative with Treanor Architects was unable to be at the meeting, so that discussion will come at a later time.