The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to modify the county’s job incentive policy, offering up to 80 percent of the current policy for a company creating just a handful of new jobs.
The board didn’t formally vote on the proposal, but it will come back in a couple of weeks for action, once county staff again amends the plan.
The commission last October also indicated support for modifying the policy, though at a slightly lower level. The board, however, never took it up for a formal vote. A $500 incentive is paid per job for 10 or more jobs if they pay a minimum $15 per hour and include health insurance as a benefit. The positions must be maintained for at least four consecutive quarters to receive the funding.
Under the proposed policy, the county would pay $400 per job for the lower number of new employees.
The current policy pays $1,000 per job for jobs paying $18 per hour, and $1,500 for those paying $21 or more. So those would pay $800 or $1,200, respectively.
“We’re not a large city, so five jobs means a lot, especially when it’s based on the salary and insurance that go with it,” Commissioner Ron Hirst said. “It’s not a big deal, but it shows companies we’re interested in them moving here.”
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)