Commission moves to approve commercial solar with potential ban in Cheney Lake Watershed

From left: Reno County Commissioners John Whitesel, Ron Hirst, Daniel Friesen, Randy Parks and Don Bogner CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY

In a long-awaited decision, the county commission voted during Wednesday’s meeting on the use of commercial solar energy in the zoned portions of Reno County. After what Chairman Randy Parks described as discussion “going in circles,” the commission made the decision to allow commercial solar with the caveat that the Planning Commission consider a ban in the Cheney Lake Watershed. This vote will lead the Planning Commission to draft specific regulations for commercial solar, now that the commission has indicated they will permit it in some form. 

Despite the request from Commissioner Ron Hirst for an outright ban on the watershed area, Wednesday’s vote will only prompt a consideration of a ban. However, once the drafted regulations return to the commission, any new decision could be made. 

“When it comes back, everything’s on the table,” County Counselor Patrick Hoffman said. 

Commissioner Daniel Friesen expressed concern that a lack of empirical evidence connecting solar energy to contamination in the watershed persisted in these discussions. He also noted that if water is affected, then more areas beyond the Cheney Watershed would need consideration. 

“It’s just not based on fact, it’s just worry,” Friesen said. “There needs to be more study on the science.”

Friesen suggested that a conditional use permit for commercial solar must include an independent environmental study conducted in the area. His motion did not receive support, although considerations such as these may be reflected in the Planning Commission’s regulations. 

In addition to the tentative allowance of commercial solar, the commission also voted to approve the Planning Commission’s regulations on residential solar. In a 5-0 vote, they approved amendments describing “light regulations” on private solar, with similar restrictions to those a building adheres to. 

In other business, the commission held a discussion on economic development in the county and heard from a new initiative called MakeMyMove that promises to bring in new residents. Previously, the commissioners had challenged Chamber of Commerce President Debra Teufel to find creative avenues for promoting the county and expanding the workforce. At Wednesday’s meeting, she introduced a partnership with MakeMyMove, a national platform that helps market counties and provides incentives for people looking to relocate. The partnership would include a one-year contract with the county and City of Hutchinson and a guarantee of ten new households for $90,000.

“I thought this is probably the most direct way that we can recruit people to all corners of Reno County,” Teufel said. 

MakeMyMove CEO Mike Rutz described his platform as the most direct form of development because it focuses on incentivising people to move rather than working through companies. 

“People really are the powerhouse of economic development,” Rutz said. 

The company, which started during the pandemic, also possesses a specific focus on remote workers seeking lower costs of living and connection to a community. Rutz stated that the company has an annual traffic of over 2 million people and a majority of those who relocate move to rural communities with declining populations. 

Despite the presentation, several commissioners remained wary of the partnership. 

“It sounds like it might be a good thing, but one thing I’ve learned over my life is never trust the sales guy,” Whitesel said. 

Rutz reassured the commissioners that their top priority is delivering a return on investment. He noted that they have a rigorous data collection process that is calculated to prove the money goes back into the community. From new consumer spending to property tax revenue, Rutz explained that the county will reap the benefits of the money spent in a partnership. 

“We understand that these are taxpayer dollars and that you have to have a demonstrable real return on investment,” Rutz said. 

Commissioner Daniel Friesen worried that the ten households were not significant numbers enough to justify the spending. He argued that if this initiative truly worked, they would invest more to see larger growth. 

“It’s not clicking for me,” Friesen said. 

Teufel explained that the one-year contract would be a pilot process, testing out the company before locking in hundreds of thousands of dollars to see larger numbers. Rutz furthermore assured the commissioners that the ten households would produce a snowball effect that would elicit more growth in the future. 

“It’s a start. You gotta build the muscle,” Rutz said. 

Both Commissioners Ron Hirst and Don Bogner expressed support for the program. 

“We need to do something here,” Hirst said. 

While the commission did not agree to a partnership, they did demonstrate an interest in the program and will organize further discussions before coming to a decision. 

The commission, after receiving concerns of multi-hour wait times for vehicle title and registration services, decided to hire a new employee at the Reno County Tag Department. 

“Our goal here is to meet community needs and reduce customer frustration,” Reno County Treasurer Richele Calvert said. 

While the decision passed with the 4-1 support of the board, Commissioner Friesen expressed adamant disapproval at the efficiency of the system. He argued that wait times and long lines would not justify hiring a new employee if residents used the online systems, and even suggested charging people who complete their registrations and renewals in person when it is not necessary. Calvert explained that the in-person component was a state legislative requirement for navigating fraud, but Friesen still voted against the motion on its premise. 

“This is absolutely insane,” Friesen said. “This is so outdated. I don’t want to spend any more taxpayer money on such a stupid system.”

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse. 

From left: Reno County Commissioners John Whitesel, Ron Hirst, Daniel Friesen, Randy Parks and Don Bogner CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY In a long-awaited decision, the county commission voted during Wednesday’s meeting on the use of commercial solar energy in the zoned portions of Reno County. After