Reno County Commissioners tabled discussion of increasing commissioner pay for a month Wednesday to gather more information and constituent input. Among Kansas counties with county administrators or managers, Reno County has the lowest commissioner pay at $11,340 per year, Human Resources Director Helen Foster said. She added that commissioner pay is low enough that it prompts questions from employees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System about whether Reno County is reporting its full salary. Tabling it until December allows commissioners to track how many hours per week they spend on county business. Commissioner Ron Hirst said he has tracked the time he spends on county business since late September, and it has ranged from two to 20 hours in a week.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Over the past 15 years, the City of Hutchinson issued only about a dozen building permits per year for new single-family homes—and twice as many demolition permits. To meet current housing demand, however, and spur new economic and population growth, there needs to be 10 times that number—annually—for the next decade, according to findings of the Reno County Housing Needs Assessment completed in 2024. It’s no secret that the availability of affordable housing is a serious issue in Hutchinson and Reno County, which contributes to many other challenges, including a growing homeless population and difficulty in attracting new employers.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Iola’s newest sports program is already getting attention from dozens of students, who may soon begin practicing to become the first members of the Iola High School fishing team. With at least 15 students expressing interest in the sport, Iola High School is starting up a fishing club this month.
Read more: The Iola Register

Proponents argue a registry is needed to hold landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions, citing issues like infestations and mold. Opponents, primarily landlords, feel the measure unfairly punishes good property owners for the actions of a few.
Read more: CJonline

The decision came after a petition ordinance to overturn the current ban of pit bull breeds in the city was certified by Saline County as having received enough signatures to move forward.
Read more: Salina Journal