CAPTION: Debra Teufel speaks by phone with economic development prospect this week at the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce office. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank The year was 1984 and a teenage Debra Teufel boarded a chartered bus of 4-H members in Arkansas City for her
By Gina Long
The City of Hutchinson has scheduled a public hearing on Sept. 17 regarding issuing STAR bonds to assist the financing of three high-profile projects for remodeling and upgrades for the Landmark Building, Memorial Hall and the Cosmosphere.
The Kansas Department of Commerce reviews and vets the bonding process. From the department website:
“Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.
“The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.”
Hutchinson successfully used STAR Bonds before becoming the first city to use the economic development mechanism in 2006 to upgrade Strataca, then known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. The bonds were fully paid off in 2013, a remarkable feat considering the massive recession that began in 2008.
The Landmark Building is the lone private project in the proposal. STAR Bonds will help the developer pay to upgrade and remodel the historic building, creating much-needed downtown apartments and ground-floor retail space. The revitalized downtown corridor has created a demand for apartments within walking distance of restaurants, retail shopping and entertainment.
Memorial Hall is long overdue for an upgrade. It is a beautiful historic building whose cornerstone was laid by President Howard Taft in 1911. The building was built on a bridge and pier system and straddles Cow Creek. The city-owned building is a perfect mid-size venue for concerts, theatrical productions and conventions and has recently hosted high-profile boxing tournaments. The building desperately needs air conditioning to allow for year-round use, which will increase event sales tax revenue. The bathrooms badly need updating.
The Cosmophere wants to remodel the lobby, the Justice Planetarium and the Carey Dome Theater and expand the educational space. I frequently visit the Cosmophere Cafe and park in the south lot. On my walk to the front door, I look at license plates. The number of out-of-county and out-of-state license plates is astonishing. I believe that the renewed interest in space travel is increasing interest in history and STEM education and will continue bringing people worldwide to Hutchinson.
STAR Bonds do not increase taxes, despite what many believe. Learn more about the project, and please attend the public hearing on Sept. 17.
By Gina Long The City of Hutchinson has scheduled a public hearing on Sept. 17 regarding issuing STAR bonds to assist the financing of three high-profile projects for remodeling and upgrades for the Landmark Building, Memorial Hall and the Cosmosphere. The Kansas Department of Commerce reviews and
CAPTION: Potato chip krispies treats trades out the traditional rice cereal to create a sweet and salty no-bake treat that is absolutely delicious. By Lindsey Young A few weeks ago, when the county fair carnival was in town, Joey and I decided to host our 6-year-old niece
By Michael Glenn
As school has started back up for a couple of weeks, I have really enjoyed my American Government class for my senior year.
To almost no one’s surprise, I’m a government nerd. In fact, when my teacher asked how many of us wanted to leisurely read our textbook, everyone in the class looked at me, who raised my hand.
This Friday, my teacher and I had a good discussion on taxes and how we wouldn’t mind paying taxes as much if we could physically see the benefits from them.
This conversation was mostly centered around federal issues such as Medicare and Social Security, government-subsidized college education and other ways our federal government spends its trillions of dollars.
Although we have differentiating views on many issues, it was good to have a civil political conversation about controversial issues without it devolving into rhetoric or jargon, like it so often can.
This conversation got me thinking about our local levels of government and how we’re taxed, which fits perfectly with our city and county budget season. In case you missed it, the Reno County Commission just finalized its budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which included cuts to the Reno County Farmers Market and the Reno County Museum.
Our commissioners have the wrong mindset when it comes to budgeting. Good budgeting does NOT mean cutting, cutting and more cutting. I understand the need and want for a lower tax base, but I also want a strong Farmers Market that helps rural farmers, arts and craft-makers and community members support each other.
Thanks to Commissioners Daniel Friesen and Ron Hirst, who spoke in support of the market, we still have a reduced budget to hire and support local musicians at the farmers market.
The museum saw a cut of $45,000, a little under the cost of one full-time staff member, from the commission’s funding. Thankfully, Commissioner John Whitesel’s idea of cutting from $185,000 to $100,000 was quickly shot down by other commissioners.
I want a Museum that showcases our county’s history, the good, bad and ugly, and has adequate staffing and support from the county to do so. If we do not understand our own history as a county, how can we learn from the past and not repeat the same mistakes we have made?
I’ll only speak for myself, but as a county, I don’t think we would mind paying for a museum or market that we can actually visit, research, learn and discover information with staff who truly care about our community.
In total, our county cut around $200,000 in its budget, most of it stemming from the museum’s hefty cut.
Rather than attempting to cut our way into success, we have to do the opposite: make smart investments.
Our museum could probably turn a profit or be better off financially if the commission gave them their request of $232,000 to have a four-member staff. Think of all the fundraising events, historical exhibits and public interaction the museum could have if they were given an adequate budget.
However, our commissioners decided that $140,000 was fair.
If we invested in these services and organizations, our county would benefit so much more than a slight cut in property taxes which will hardly be noticed by property owners due to the revenue-neutral rate still being exceeded.
I’m sure the museum will feel the effects of the cut, though.
Hopefully, our museum will find a way to adapt, adjust and overcome the challenge placed before them. I love and support history, especially local stories, and I hope you do too.
By Michael Glenn As school has started back up for a couple of weeks, I have really enjoyed my American Government class for my senior year. To almost no one’s surprise, I’m a government nerd. In fact, when my teacher asked how many of us wanted to
CAPTION: Amid a busy grand opening of the Mystic Menagerie's new building on 18 West B Avenue in Hutchinson, owners Julia, left, and Gina Johnson pause for a photo in front of an impressive display of organic apothecary ingredients. CREDIT KATE IRELAN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Kate Irelan The Grand
CAPTION: McKenzie Murphy (right) and the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon volleyball team won a pair of five-set matches on Friday at the McCook Invitational, defeating No. 9 Indian Hills and Lamar. CREDIT ED BAILEY By John Mesh The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team played two five-set
Hutchinson Community College’s Faith Jepchirchir, a freshman from Kenya, won the women’s three-mile race at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic Friday night at Fun Valley Sports Complex. Jepchirchir set a women’s meet record time of 18 minutes, 16.93 seconds. She is the first Blue Dragon
CAPTION: Fairgoers enter the fair at 20th and Plum during the 2023 Kansas State Fair. CREDIT TRIBUNE STAFF By Kate Irelan The Kansas State Fair promises a new digital app experience, the glamorous 1861 Club building debut, and in addition to traditional exhibits and shows - and
CAPTION: Jim Seitnater finishes work on his last day on the job with the City of Hutchinson Friday morning. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn Interim City Planning Director for the City of Hutchinson Jim Seitnater will retire for the second time effective Friday, August
CAPTION: Sparkle Faidley, President of the Reno County Farmer’s Market Board, talks to the Reno County Commissioners Wednesday, asking to work with them on the amount of funding the county gives to the Farmer’s Market. CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY
By Ainsley Trunkhill
As the 2025 fiscal budget discussions ensued for Reno County, county commissioners are faced with the task of supporting the workforce of the county while making strategic budget cuts.
Hidden between the figures of large county expenses, one local organization made their plea to the board to not cut the small amount of funding annually allotted to them.
The Reno County Farmers Market represents a curation of local pride, where art, music, and food intersect to foster a vibrant community, according to Sparkle Faidley, the president of its board of directors.
The proposed 2025 budget cuts discussed at Wednesday’s Reno County Commission meeting threatened to remove the county’s funding of the market, which Faidley said places local entrepreneurs in jeopardy. Faidley explained in a public comment that the money goes entirely towards supporting the market’s live music and local musicians.
“It doesn’t go anywhere else in the Farmers Market,” Faidley said. “It’s creating a job for them.”
Faidley brought with her testimonies of musicians expressing their “deep concern” over the budget, displaying the reach of impact even a small cut could make.
The budget cuts would take funds away that the organization receives to pay musicians who perform during the market.
“By cutting funding for local performances, we risk diminishing the very qualities that make our county special,” Faidley said, reading a testimony from one artist. “I cannot overstate the importance of maintaining and supporting these cultural events.”
Another testimony revealed that the change could harm the county’s economy by pushing artists and, by extension, consumers, towards other opportunities, turning the town into a “bedroom community.”
“Do we want to be able to offer a good set of attractions to the county or not?” Faidley said.
Several commissioners, including Daniel Friesen and Ron Hirst, expressed their sympathy for the market and demonstrated a willingness to reach a compromise.
While the original budget would reduce funding from $4,000 to $0, the new proposal offered a decrease of only $1,000. The compromise was met with gratitude by Faidley, who noted her qualms lay not in the original cut, but in its severity.
“We understand budget cuts. . . but to completely cut the amount off is a huge thing,” she said.
Commissioner John Whitesel was less willing to use government money to support the arts, stating that the announcement of funding cuts was made a year ago, giving ample time for the Farmers Market to make necessary changes.
Whitesel, along with his fellow commissioners, suggested that other arenas, such as the non-profit sector, would be a better source of funding. Commissioner Don Bogner echoed this consideration.
“Like John said, you were forewarned,” Bogner said.
Ultimately, Bogner and the commissioners reduced the cuts from $4,000 to $1,000 in an attempt to recognize what the Farmers Market brings to the community and respect those who make their voices heard.
In addition to the Farmers Market, the Reno County Museum received a significant cut, according to County Administrator Randy Partington. The total cuts to property taxes reached around $200,000, for a reduced mill levy. Despite a reduced mill levy, however, it remains above the revenue-neutral rate, meaning the commission has budgeted an increased property tax revenue for the upcoming year.
The budget passed in a 4-1 vote, with Whitesel voting against it.
CAPTION: Sparkle Faidley, President of the Reno County Farmer's Market Board, talks to the Reno County Commissioners Wednesday, asking to work with them on the amount of funding the county gives to the Farmer's Market. CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY By Ainsley Trunkhill As the 2025 fiscal budget
