HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission has chosen a search firm to find a new administrator. It is the same firm the county used 10 years ago when it selected Gary Meagher to be the Reno County administrator.

Meagher plans to retire at the end of his contract, which comes toward the end of this year. The commission wants someone hired to take his place.

Commissioners chose the Austin Peters Group over Baker Tilly. The group was chosen, in part, because of past experience with the commission. The group also has Kansas connections.

The Austin Peters Group was the cheaper option with a price of $15,750. However, there could be some additional cost with background checks. Those checks are $300 per candidate. Human Resources Director Renee Harris believes the total cost would be around $17,500. That is still cheaper than the other firm, Baker Tilly, who wanted $24,500.

Commissioners also want the firm to speed up the timeline, especially at the beginning. Harris believes that can be arranged. The commission wants to hire someone to start on Jan. 1.