From left: Reno County Commissioners John Whitesel, Ron Hirst, Randy Parks, Don Bogner and Daniel Friesen CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY
By Ainsley Trunkhill
From relocation incentives to national television, the commissioners have been investigating avenues to promote the benefits of small town America in Reno County. During Wednesday’s meeting, the commissioners voted to enter an agreement with the Reno County Chamber of Commerce to commit up to $90,000 in a partnership with marketing agency MakeMyMove. MakeMyMove, which first appeared before the board in October, is an organization that markets cities on a national platform for those looking to relocate. It works alongside communities to curate information for prospective movers and provide unique incentives for relocation. With the support of mayors across the county and staff recommendation, the partnership with MakeMyMove will ultimately result in a contract that guarantees ten new movers will make Reno County their home.
While the vote passed, it was not without dissent. Commissioner John Whitesel voted against the agreement after expressing several concerns about the residential requirements, the nature of city incentive packages, and the decline in remote work, which would prompt people to relocate.
“I think we’re jumping the gun on this a little bit with just a blank approval here,” Whitesel said.
President and CEO of the Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Debra Teufel, assured the commissioners that they would have these questions answered as they progressed in the process.
“This is the first step,” Teufel said.
She noted that the mayors were willing to generate creative incentives packages once they knew that there was support from the commission for the partnership, and that individual contracts with relocators would include specifics regarding residency requirements. Speaking directly to Commissioner Whitesel, she also stated that the MakeMyMove website was not exclusive to remote workers and commented on the position of remote work both locally and nationally.
“There is still a place for remote work in our country,” Teufel said. “Companies even right here in Reno County offer that as a perk of making their county more attractive.”
Commissioner Daniel Friesen, who ultimately voted in favor of the agreement, still shared his initial concerns with committing the money. Friesen expressed uncertainty with the validity of the company’s guarantees and with paying the dollar amount upfront. Teufel reminded the commission that Wednesday’s agreement was for the company’s marketing rather than their performance, which would come later in individual contracts.
“You’re going to spend money to attract people to your community one way or another,” Teufel said.
The commissioners also voted to merge eight fire districts across the county into a single district to promote the quality of services. Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar proposed the plan to the board, noting that it had taken seven years to generate the work.
“This plan we have before you today is to improve service across the county,” Weishaar said.
Weishaar emphasized that each of the fire chiefs supported the project and that maintaining community pride would still be a priority. The merger passed in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Whitesel voting against it, and will be initiated by Jan. 1, 2026.
Whitsel also voted against several technical resolutions pulled from the consent agenda due to their language surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“I think my stance on this has been pretty clear since the beginning, but I am in the minority in the commission so I just wanted the chance to vote no on these items,” Whitesel said.
The specific language Whitesel referenced was the “equitable distribution of resources, opportunities and benefits. …, particularly with those who have been historically marginalized or disadvantaged.” Despite his dissenting vote, each of the resolutions regarding the economic development reserve fund and hazard mitigation plan passed.
The commission also voted to appoint Harley Macklin to serve a third, three-year term on the Planning Commission and to extend the solar moratorium to March 1, 2024.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse.
