HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners approved an agreement that establishes a local elected officials board to provide what they call “effective planning, coordination, and implementation” of the employment and training system with the Kansas Workforce investment area one.
Commissioners also approved a resolution reaffirming the establishment of a multi-year Capital Improvement Fund and amended certain portions of the resolution that established the fund. It’s not a new fund, it has been around since 2000. This basically cleans up the language.
Another resolution providing for a dedicated property tax levy for the Equipment Reserve Fund was approved. This just changes some wording. Neither will result in additional taxes. In fact, both fall under the tax lid imposed by the legislature.
An anti-workplace harassment policy is up for consideration. The work well incentive policy would promote movement breaks — or activities — during an employee workday.
For instance, an employee could get up and move around during a meeting that lasts longer than 30 minutes. Commissioner Dan Deming questioned the need for such a policy. “I think it’s fine, but it seems like an unnecessary bit of bureaucracy where common sense would say if you need to stand up, stand up,” Deming said.
In the end, commissioners approved the policy change.
There was also more discussion about the budget process for next year. A funds request was made for Reno County EMS and the Reno County Extension Office.
Reno County EMS is requesting that a budget for medical services be set at $1,306,795. However, the head of EMS indicated there could be some savings that would lower the budget. The cost to remount a truck at $210,000 is a little high, according to EMS Director Terry David. He now estimates that cost will be around $200,000.
Meanwhile, the Reno County Extension Office is making two requests. The first request is for $365,000, an increase of $35,000. They say this would allow the office to maintain at least four agents and two office professionals. The second is for $430,000 — an increase of $100,000 — which would allow the office to hire a fifth agent and be fully staffed.
For the past three years, the Reno County Extension Office has been able to pull from reserve funds to cover operational cost, but can no longer do that.
No final decisions were made on any of these issues.