As debates ensue within the commission surrounding solar power usage, Reno County has remained under a temporary moratorium for this renewable energy. With the moratorium set to expire at the end of the month, however, the commissioners were forced to make an update on the proceedings.
Director of Public Works Don Brittain announced that a Public Hearing will take place in late July and solidified regulations will appear shortly after, although Commissioner Daniel Friesen felt the pressure to make changes presently. While an extension to the moratorium would continue the current solar power prohibitions, Friesen altered the ban in a motion during Wednesday’s meeting. He suggested ending the moratorium with residential solar usage—both roof and ground mounted—for the current time while still operating under county codes, which passed in a 5-0 vote.
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“I think it would be better just to allow that to go through,” Friesen said. “I don’t think there’s anything egregious.”
Following the Public Hearing and updated regulations from Planning and Zoning, this lift may be adapted; structures placed now, however, would be protected under a grandfather clause, which Friesen referred to as a “pretty low risk.”
The commission also heard from the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) and Interfaith Housing, and United Way, who provided updates on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds usage. Following Covid, Reno County residents were asked their top priorities, of which housing and childcare development stood out. After over a year of putting ARPA funds to use in these developments, the organizations shared their progress and future plans.
Clint Nelson, the CEO of Interfaith Housing and Community Services, described their utilization of funds for housing improvements and stability in the county. Currently, 217 projects have been completed with $2.4 million of the $4 million in ARPA funding expensed.
“We’ve had some really tremendous results,” Nelson said.
Through this program, Interfaith has engaged in new partnerships to assist the community, in addition to over 10,000 hours of skilled volunteer labor put towards rehabilitating houses. Nelson described that the remaining funds will continue the housing work they have completed, impacting the lives of low-income and middle-class residents, and increasing the value of the county.
“We have grown our experience and capacity greatly over the last year and certainly will have far-reaching benefits for the county in the future,” he said.
Lacey Mills, the president and CEO of United Way, provided a similarly positive report to the commission regarding childcare development, with an emphasis on creating not just immediate change for childcare needs, but systemic, sustainable plans for the county.
“The ARPA dollars that we have been able to expend to this point have made a huge difference in our community,” Mills said.
United Way Consultant Abby Stockebrand shared that the funding has reached 62 different providers across the community and led to a 12% increase in home providers, as well as a projected increase in daycare slots by 372. Other goals have been to improve consistency in business practices and provide employee benefits, which is currently unavailable to many home providers.
“We’re making a huge impact, collectively, together,” Stockebrand said. “We would not be able to do it without having the partners around the table and having people step up and say ‘Yes, we want childcare, this makes a difference in our community.’”
Consultant Heather Faulkner also revealed plans for a childcare cooperative model, an increasingly popular solution for establishing high-quality childcare in communities. The plan is set to run in 2025 and provide systemic and streamlined improvements to childcare.
Kari Mailloux with Hutchinson Community Foundation noted that these changes were possible due to Reno County residents voicing their needs following COVID-19. A second survey, led by the Love Where You Live Initiative, is available online through July 1, where people can share what they would like to see in the county moving forward.
“We’re excited to see what the residents say, what we learn from this process, and what kind of action we inspire,” Mailloux said.
The next commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse.
