HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The County Commission approved a zoning case for building a 150 ft communications tower for the purpose of providing high speed internet service within a five mile radius of 82nd and Pennington which would include the Highlands.

The commission also approved temporary notes for roughly $750,000 dollars for two items, one being purchasing a bulldozer for the county refuse department and the other for purchasing voting machines for the County Clerks office.

The county has or will have $700,000 next year for the purchase of the bulldozer, but still need around $150,000. The estimated cost for the voting machines is $600,000. The county will combine the two items and finance the money needed which comes to $750,000.

They commission also approved the contract for County Administrator Gary Meagher for next year which will give him a base salary of $121,400 with a monthly deferred compensation of $1,805.00.