HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commissioners Tuesday approved moving ahead with adding a more secure entrance to the Reno County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center, once the new jail is complete. Jeff Lane with Treanor Architects was on hand and gave the commissioners two options of where to put the entrance. They decided in the end to go with the one that would be farther east and closer to the courthouse itself.
The commission seemed to agree with Sheriff Randy Henderson, who was in favor of the plan to build it farther east, saying it would be more accommodating for those called to jury duty.
The commission also discussed expanding the county commission to five members, however, Commissioner Dan Deming’s request to at least study the idea and perhaps form a citizen committee met with some resistance from Commission Chair James Schlickau, who questioned the need. Commissioner Brad Dillon seemed opened to the study but says he doesn’t think it will go anywhere.
The decision on changing districts and expanding the commission is up to the commission itself, but Deming wants a citizen committee to study that idea. That brought extended discussion with County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan pointing out that changing the districts is a commission decision by law.
In the end, they made no decision, however, it will likely come up again at future commission meetings. Deming noted some other area counties that have five commissioners, including Harvey, Butler and most recently Saline County.
The commission did elect James Schlickau as commission chair for another year with Commissioner Deming as the co-chair.
They also approved a contract with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the replacement of a bridge on Maple Grove Road about two and a quarter miles east of Langdon Road and the closure of the bridge on west 95th, one mile north and a quarter of a mile west of Sego Road and K-96 Highway. This item was really up for discussion only, but Commissioner Dillon made a motion to approve it and the other two commissioners agreed, so it was approved.