HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission went through their agenda pretty quickly Tuesday approving the plans for the renovation of the current Reno County Jail Annex.
The plan is to move four county departments to the annex. That includes the Register of Deeds, County Treasurer, County Clerk and County Appraiser. Although the appraiser would actuall be housed in a small portion of the building just to the east of the annex. Thecommission did decide to eliminate bullet proof counters for the treasurers office as well as around County Treasurer Jan Hull’s office. That will save roughly $34,000. However they may add a panic button and possibly cameras to the area.
The commission did agree to move ahead with replacing the roof on the annex building which they say would need to be done anyway. That is an additional cost of $125,000. Then there was some discussion of furniture for the offices, but County Administrator Gary Meagher said there may be some other money that could offset that cost.
It’s clear that the county at this point will go over the initial budget set for the project. But, in the end all three commissioners agreed to the design change. The work there will begin once inmates housed there are moved to the new county jail still under construction.
They also approved the contract for a new Health Department Director. Nick Baldetti has been with that department since 2013, starting as a health educator. Six months later, he became the Assistant Health Department Director. He then became the Interim Director when Julia Hulsey retired.
They apparently went through a process of looking for a replacement for Hulsey with 14 people applying for the position, but the search committee in the end recommended Baldetti. He’ll receive an annual salary of $72,000. In addition to being named the Health Department Director, he’ll also be the Reno County Health Officer.
Baldetti told the commission, “I’m very grateful and humbled for the opportunity.” He also stated that he’s excited to work with the staff at the health department.
The commission also approved a resolution appointing to Dr. William Unsderfer as a consultant to the program administrator for the health department.