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Author: Hutch Post Staff

Deardoff says city is in good financial shape

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff took time to give a rundown of 2017 for the city and provided some of the strong points for the community Wednesday morning.

It came as part of the sixth annual State of the City address sponsored by AMBUCS and the Chamber of Commerce. Deardoff took time to explain some of the budget issues the city is facing but stressed that the city is in good financial shape. He also talked about the sales tax revenue and the declining numbers and stressed that residents need to be true to their community and shop locally.

Deardoff says, while there has certainly been some bad news in the community in terms of the closing of Target and CHS, that many good things have happened — especially in the downtown area.

The city manager also talked about the need to keep the city’s infrastructure repaired and intact. He discussed the steps that have been taken in that department.

List of top Reno Co. property taxpayers for 2017

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two major utility companies and the nation’s two largest railroads were four  companies that paid more than $1 million in property taxes in Reno County last year.

In the annual list of highest property taxpayers and their value to the county, the usual entities are at the top, lead by Westar, who paid more than $6.2 million in property taxes on total valuation of nearly $39 million. Panhandle eastern was next on the list at $8.2 million in taxes on $1.2 million in valuation. Then came the two railroads with BNSF third on the list at $1.1 million in taxes on total valuation of $7.4 million and Union Pacific at just over $1 million in property taxes on total valuation of $6.2 million.

The four companies bring more than $9,667,000 of property taxes to the county and carry a value of nearly $61 million.

Top 50 property taxpayers in Reno Co. (Valuation / Property taxes):
WESTAR ENERGY (ELECTRIC DIVISION) 38,989,609 / 6,234,892.58
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPELINE COMPANY 8,229,253 / 1,237,255.86
BNSF 7,431,444 / 1,189,889.30
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY 6,279,586 / 1,005,543.36
MID AMERICA PIPELINE COMPANY LLC 6,211,804 / 917,136.38
MAIN LINE, INC 5,215,758 / 916,205.26
KANSAS GAS SERVICE A DIVISION OF ONE GAS 5,070,036 / 869,420.72
MAGELLAN PIPELINE COMPANY LLC 4,696,176 / 715,624.90
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING LLC 3,559,246 / 574,479.16
DILLON REAL ESTATE CO, INC 3,164,379 / 553,270.08
DILLON COMPANIES, INC 2,922,402 / 513,020.50
ONEOK NGL PIPELINE,LP 2,658,707 / 405,112.58
WAL-MART STORES #01-0794 REAL ESTATE BUSINESS TRUST 2,567,881 / 448,069.56
ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY 2,552,890 / 445,453.82
ARK VALLEY ELECTRIC COOP ASSN INC 2,475,503 / 379,744.86
SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL GAS PIPELINES 2,186,884 / 329,998.10
EATON CORPORATION 2,128,610 / 371,421.18
SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE L P 2,089,418 / 353,424.50
SANDS OF HUTCHINSON LLC 1,973,483 / 346,867.28
TYSON PREPARED FOODS, INC 1,929,413 / 312,462.40
CARGILL, INC 1,834,371 / 316,440.66
NUSTAR PIPELINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP 1,763,198 / 306,952.38
BLACK HILLS CORP, (KANSAS DIVISION) 1,694,180 / 263,910.14
KUHN KRAUSE, INC 1,693,373 / 295,476.72
LOWES HOME CENTERS, INC 1,686,398 / 296,408.06
HUTCHINSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER INC 1,461,232 / 256,832.00
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HUTCHINSON 1,438,882 / 252,789.14
ARCONIC, INC 1,382,074 / 242,918.86
STRAWN, JAMES L TRUST 1,375,420 / 238,389.70
CITY BEVERAGE COMPANY, INC 1,375,159 / 241,703.50
HD DEVELOPMENT OF MARYLAND, INC 1,368,250 / 238,745.94
CHS INC 1,291,031 / 225,272.00
ONEOK NORTH SYSTEM 1,286,135 / 188,739.56
ROCKSTEP HUTCHINSON, LLC 1,254,083 / 218,824.94
COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC 1,250,715 / 200,005.06
LOWEN CORPORATION 1,206,815 / 212,114.62
ONEOK HYDROCARBON LP 1,178,720 / 180,386.60
DAYTON HUDSON CORP T-946 & TPN0950 1,168,063 / 203,815.32
MAA SANTOSHI, INC 1,136,698 / 198,342.60
PRAIRIE DUNES, INC 1,131,898 / 176,774.32
TENAWA HAVEN PROCESSING LLC 1,126,166 / 169,155.76
HEARTLAND CREDIT UNION 1,081,457 / 189,654.32
CARGILL, INC SALT 1,049,097 / 183,056.94
MORTRTON SALT, INC 1,036,753 / 164,061.48
COLE KO HUTCHINSON KS LLC 1,020,958 / 178,146.96
CENTRAL BANK & TRUST CO 1,008,525 / 175,977.56

KANSAS GAS & ELEC-A WESTAR ENERGY CO 994,087 / 160,671.84
SONOCO HUTCHINSON LLC 962,533 / 167,952.40
HUTCHINSON 17TH LLC 961,200 / 167,719.80

Bisbee elected Chair of HCC BOT

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It was time for the start of the year restructuring of the Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees during their first meeting of  2018.

The board elected Terry Bisbee as Chair and Marla Eriksen as Vice Chair. Bisbee replaces outgoing Chair David Marshall.

Following the election of officers, new Trustees Rodney Calhoun and Todd Miller were installed as the newest members of the Board of Trustees.

Continuing its tradition of engaging with students, the board was also introduced to members of the College’s baseball team. Led by head coach Ryan Schmidt, the Blue Dragons have begun practice and will open the season February 10-11 at Coffeyville.

The board also conducted several items of routine business, including the approval of college bills along with an update on the College’s ongoing Higher Learning Commission accreditation process.

The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater. The public is invited to attend.

 

Chamber meeting set to discuss public policy for this year’s legislative session

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson/ Reno Co Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee will be hosting a meeting Monday to give Chamber members some insight into the just started legislative session.  Their are two upcoming meetings where the Chamber membership is invited to attend and give their input.

The meeting will feature Bernie Koch with the Kansas Economic Progress Council has been invited to speak and provide insight into the upcoming legislative session. This information will help shape the Chamber’s 2018 Public Policy Agenda. The meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Chelsey Dawson in the Chamber office at (620) 662-3391 or chelseyd@hutchchamber.com.

UPDATE: USD 308 teachers approve new collective bargaining agreement

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After numerous negotiation sessions between the KNEA and Hutchinson USD 308, the two sides came to a tentative agreement on a new contract. On Wednesday, the teachers approved that contract during a special meeting.

The agreement comes after both sides wrestled with proposals that were very far apart when it came to salary and benefits. After much work, the two sides were able to close that gap. USD 308 Human Resources Director Rick Kruase says the new contract, among other things, will raise the starting salary for teachers by $1,250 to $37,501. Approval came after a meeting with teachers and KNEA Wednesday afternoon.

Under the new contract, the base will increase by 3.45 percent and add an additional step to each column ($1,250 each) that allows members with at least 1 year of experience to move vertically. It also provides horizontal movement for those who qualify. Starting teachers will now have a base salary of $37,501.

The new contract also allows 12 weeks of pregnancy or adoption leave and provides an option for early retirement due to unforeseen circumstances, such as health issues, and adds language to clarify non-teaching personnel, such as counselors, nurses, school psychologists, social workers, physical therapists and occupational therapists, who will be awarded steps according to professional experience outside the field of education in addition to experience within education. The new contract also removes language that paid members for unused sick leave days while remaining an employee. The contract is retroactive to the beginning of the district’s fiscal year.

With approval of the new contract by teachers, the School Board will approve it during the regular meeting on Jan. 22.

Signs go up for Motel 6 in South Hutchinson

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SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Although ownership of the Quality Inn in South Hutchinson isn’t changing, the affiliation will. Owner Sam Patel announced recently that the facility will now fall under the Motel 6 banner. The change was announced just before Christmas and the signs were going up at the hotel last week.

The property was originally called the Best Western Sun Dome, but has been under the Quality Inn banner since 2009. A check of the website showed the hotel is now on the chain’s national online registration, found at motel6.com.

 

The Motel 6 franchise does not allow restaurants within its chains, so that space will remain vacant.

No other changes are anticipated.

State of the City forum Jan. 17

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Once again this year, the Hutchinson AMBUCS and the Chamber of Commerce will host a State of the City address. This year’s event will be held Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7 a.m. at the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center.

This will give residents the opportunity to hear from City Manager John Deardoff on the milestones of 2017 and what the business community can look forward to in 2018.

Tickets to the event are $12 for Chamber members and $17 for non-members. Flash passes can be used.  For more information, contact Belinda McClanahan at 620.662.3391 to attend, or register online.

LPC in South Hutchinson to give employee bonuses spurred by new tax law

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SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  The new tax plan put in place under the Trump administration is benefiting a group of employees in South Hutchinson.

The Lawrence Paper Company (LPC) announced today it will pay a special bonus to each of its 300 employees and invest in new equipment due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was recently signed into law.

The company will pay a bonus of $500 and invest over $5 million in new equipment. During staff meetings this week in South Hutchinson, and Lawrence, Kansas, along with the plant in Fremont, Nebraska, LPC President Justin Hill Jr. told employees of the company’s plans.

Hill says the most significant long-term benefit will come from the lowering of the tax rates on businesses. He believes it could free up income, which can then be reinvested in businesses or even paid to employees in the form of higher wages.

LPC will invest more than $5 million in new machinery for the Fremont plant. If the Lawrence and South Hutchinson plants near their capacity, Hill says LPC will evaluate whether to expand those plants as well.

Siemens/Gamesa gets onshore project in Texas

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Siemens/Gamesa landed an onshore project in Texas. Sammons Renewable Energy (SRE) today announced the acquisition of Midway Wind, LLC, from Apex Clean Energy.

The project, called Midway Wind, is a development project with plans including construction of 47 Siemens/Gamesa G132 turbines for a total project capacity of 162.9MW. The project has an anticipated commercial operation date of December 2018.

The transaction closed on Dec. 27. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld provided legal advice and Leidos Engineering, LLC, provided engineering advice. Franklin Park Investments will manage this project on behalf of SRE. Details of the deal were not disclosed, according to a news release from Sammons Renewable.

KDOT approves two bids for Reno Co. road work

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — KDOT approved two bids for road work in Reno County.

The first is for seven miles of overlay work on U.S. 50 between Sego and Herren Roads west of Hutchinson. Cornejo and Sons of Wichita will do the work at a cost of $945,000.

The second project involves the mill and overlay of 4 miles of K-14 from Nickerson, south. The total cost of the project is $792,000 with APAC Shears of Hutchinson doing the work.

APAC Shears will also do a complete mill and overlay of a 20-mile stretch of  K4 from Lindsborg to the Ellsworth/Rice Co. Line at a cost of $1,792,000.

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