By Emmie Boese
The Hutchinson Tribune created a list of questions for local state senate, representatives and reno county commissioner candidates. The questions act as a voter guide for the 2024 election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The story will be updated as responses come in.
The responses posted are unedited and come directly from the candidate.
County Commissioner District 2
Ron Hirst, Commissioner District 2, Republican
Waiting on a reply from this candidate.
County Commissioner District 3
Garth Strand, Commissioner District 3, Democratic
What are some policies you support that would directly impact the rural areas of the county?
I believe that too often, rural communities are not given equitable attention on all matters…services and economic development to name two. I would support Commissioners being required to attend City Council meetings of the communities in their districts at least once a year. I would also support a formal working, strategic planning day with an outside facilitator that includes all County Commissioners and elected representatives from each community in the County.
How can the county commission continue to support economic expansion?
Thinking of prospective citizens and businesses who are constantly exploring life in Reno County, I believe first and foremost, the Commission must accept that this is actually happening and strive to create a positive, forward-thinking culture. More so, especially from the perspective of younger generations. The Commission needs to stay educated on trends that various demographics look for when it comes to quality of life issues and be willing to embrace change, even when it conflicts with their own personal preferences. Change needs to happen soon. With our population trending down since around 2010, it is clear we don’t have the right formula.
How well do you think the Reno County Community Corrections Program is doing in regards to helping youth in the county?
We are behind the curve but on the right track. A number of initiatives seem to be producing positive results…Rise up Reno and Drug Court to name two. This is a challenge with deep roots going clear down to things like lack of affordable health care, lack of child care, families living in poverty, availability of mental health care and others. I believe the Reno County Commission needs to demonstrate their commitment to help with the way forward. This goes back to positive, forward thinking leadership being willing not to just cut budgets, but to invest wisely in our collective future.
How would you try to minimize property taxes while improving the community?
First, everyone must realize that only about 25% of property taxes are actually controlled by the Reno County Commission. The tax statements arrive and say ‘Reno County’ at the top so it is my opinion that many taxpayers are critical of what is just the messenger. Other taxing entities, which the County Commission has no control of, are also part of the mix: State of Kansas, City of Hutchinson, Public Library, Community College, School Districts, Fire Districts, Watersheds, Cemeteries and Townships to name a few. According to Commissioner Hirst, Reno County is the 15th lowest tax rate county in the state…meaning 90 counties have higher rates. With that, I believe the Reno County Commission has done well minimizing property taxes. If I have a beef, it is perhaps they have done too well and not as good in the area of targeted investments to improve economic development and quality of life.
It is also my opinion that concern about rising property taxes should be directed, at least in part, towards Topeka. With the continued pressure to move income tax as close to zero as possible and now, with a newly disclosed agenda to get corporate taxes to zero, the money for basic services has to come from somewhere and it filters down to the local level and our property taxes. Basically, actions in Topeka have shortened the Income Tax leg of the traditional, stable, three-legged tax stool: income, sales and property tax. Actions in Topeka that have directly impacted the counties include the elimination of the machinery and equipment tax and the mortgage registration tax.
Lastly, one easy thing that Topeka could do to help with local property taxes would be to enhance and update the Homestead Refund tax credit. I’m a certified tax preparer for the local VITA program and we do lots of Homestead returns. It’s a fantastic program that helps those who need it most, to stay in their homes. It’s past time for Topeka to update the program.
What are some other issues that you support that don’t typically make headlines?
I would like to see the County Commission have a long-term, strategic plan to improve wildfire risk in Reno County. The Fire Chief told me the Kansas Forest Service has parts of Reno County identified as the number one fire risk in the State. Not acceptable!
I would also like to see us address water resources BEFORE we have a problem. The State of Kansas let this issue linger for way too long and still, don’t have it as a high enough priority for me.
What are some other issues that you are passionate about?
The long-term trend of population decline is simply not tolerable. We can easily see what has happened to so many communities further west. I care too much about Reno County to let this happen here without our best efforts to turn it around.
“County before Party” is my campaign theme. It is my opinion this has not been the case in recent years. At this very grassroots level of government, I believe politics are best left at the door and those elected should bring honest, factual, positive, forward-thinking leadership to the table.
Ron Vincent, Commissioner District 3, Republican
Still waiting on a reply from this candidate.
County Commissioner District 4 (Unexpired Term)
Lindsey Hatfield, Commissioner District 4, Democratic
What are some policies you support that would directly impact the rural areas of the county?
Even though my district is centrally located in Hutchinson, it’s still very important to me that we support our rural Reno County residents. Wildfire prevention is something we should be focusing on since Reno county faces significant wildfire risk according to the KS Forest Service. I support landowner rights and also would like to see farmers be able to install solar on their property if they choose to. I also think it’s important for us to ensure there are adequate emergency services for the rural areas of the county.
How can the county commission continue to support economic expansion?
The county plays an important role in helping to create growth and new business opportunities. I think we should continue to support the Chamber of Commerce, and support entrepreneurship programs and incentive programs to get new businesses to our community. We should be making it easier for companies to bring their businesses and employees to Reno County.
How well do you think the Reno County Community Corrections Program is doing in regards to helping youth in the county?
I think they are doing a great job, they have staff who use evidence based practices, and they have been effective at reducing recidivism. But I also think there are certain limitations the county has, which have been put in place with recent house and senate bills and those issues should be addressed at the state level.
How would you try to minimize property taxes while improving the community?
The only real way for us to minimize or lower property taxes is to grow our tax base. Growing the tax base and improving the community go hand in hand. People want to live and work in a thriving and vibrant community, and will often move out of a community if they feel like it’s regressive or stagnant. I will work to minimize property taxes by growing our tax base and supporting economic development, housing and childcare. All of these issues are intertwined and we need to focus on the future of Reno County more than we have been. For too long it seems like we’ve been trying to cut our way to prosperity but we need to make smart, thoughtful decisions for our future.
What are some other issues that you support that don’t typically make headlines?
Supporting our community and culture. We have a vibrant community that is full of many different families and people, and I want to continue fostering great relationships between all communities in Reno County. I’m encouraged by the work that non-profits like Hutch in Harmony and our local NAACP chapter are doing and I would fully support their efforts.
What are some other issues that you are passionate about?
I’m passionate about supporting families. Families are the backbone of our community and we want all families to feel supported. As a mom with two young children, it’s been on my mind more in recent years, but it still feels like people don’t give it the weight it deserves. Affordable child care enables families to maximize their income and helps employers have a bigger labor pool. It’s also an economic development too. If we have innovative solutions for childcare in our community, that will bring people and employers here, which will help to grow our tax base.
Richard Winger, Commissioner District 4, Republican
Waiting on a reply from this candidate
