HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission Tuesday with little further discussion approved the master plan at the Reno County Landfill which includes increasing the solid waste user fees starting next year, bringing the total to $80 for county residents. The fee will then increase every year and, by 2021, will total $100. Landfill officials noted that they don’t charge what’s called “tipping fees” when residents come to the landfill to get rid of trash and other items.
They also granted a request by Emergency Management to spend up to $26,000 for the purchase of a used three-quarter ton pickup truck. That would replace other vehicles including an old ambulance and an old RCAT bus. Commission Chair Dan Deming was opposed to spending the money, saying he could share vehicles with other departments. But, Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar noted that there are times when he and Todd Strain are doing things in different areas and during an emergency, they couldn’t use other vehicles to pull trailers they may need in those situations.
He says they plan to sell the old ambulance and RCAT bus on Purple Wave, while a truck would be used as a trade.
He also told the commission that they still have $41,000 in Home Security money, which can’t be used for vehicles, but could be used to pay part of the salaries for his department.
Apparently they will also purchase a couple of trailers as well with a cost of $5,000 for one and $2,000 for the other.
Deming voted against the plan, while Commissioners James Schlickau and Brad Dillon voted in favor. Dillon noted that Weishaar knows more of what he needs for his department than they do.
Also approved by the commission was the new RCAT south route, which will add a stop at the Reno County Correctional Facility.
They also approved the destruction of election materials from past elections. That would include various election materials including the 2013 city/school voted and unvoted ballots, advance voter envelopes and ballots, tally sheets, a 2012 poll book and tally sheet.
The items will be destroyed this Thursday at Sonoco in Hutchinson. Francis Mills and Alisha Johnson will be the electors present to witness this being done.