The committee formed by Hutchinson Mayor Ron Sellers and others to study who should handle the mill levy for the Hutchinson Recreation Commission made their decision Monday evening.

Eric Steinle, a local attorney says the committee that they want the city and the Hutchinson to decide how to move the funding from under the umbrella of the Hutchinson School District, but keep it as its own entity. He admits that there could be savings if the city were to take over, but doubts it would be run any more efficient. Others worry that if the city were to take it over, it would mean eventual cuts in services and programs.

The committee seemed to agree with the sentiments at the last meeting that the Rec Commission should stay independent. Stienle agree with that saying that not one single person mentioned any complaints on the way the Hutchinson Recreation Commission is run. Some of the committee says had the heard there was, they might consider other options, but thats not the case.

The committee was formed after the school district announced they wanted to shed the recs mill levy in the interest of fairness. They wanted those who live outside the district but inside the city of Hutchinson to pay their share of the funding for the Rec Commission. The change would not effect the districts mill levy at all since the Hutchinson Rec Commission is their own taxing unit, but is under the umbrella of the school district. Basically, the property taxes collected for Hutch Rec is collected and sent to the school district. The district then writes four checks per-year to Hutch Rec.

If the council and Hutchinson school officials go along with the recommendations and the Rec Commissions mill levy falls under the city umbrella, those who live in Hutchinson, but not within the Hutchinson School District would see an increase in their property taxes of around 14-dollars based on a 100-thousand dollar home. Those in the school district would see their property taxes drop slightly.

The committee plans to draft a report on their decision and present it to city leaders in the near future.