HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the start of the new year comes our look at who pays the most property 
taxes in Reno County and where companies lie when it comes to their value.
Some companies are not on the list due to tax breaks or incentive programs, most notably Siemens which still has several years of tax abatement before they come on the rolls.
As always, utilities lead the way and are led by Westar Energy who is always at the top of the list. Westar’s property taxes for 2016 totaled over $6.3 million on valuation of $39.9 million. Both numbers are higher than the next six companies combined.
Up next is Panhandle eastern at $1.26 million in property taxes paid, followed by both of the major railroads in the county. BNSF comes in at number three paying $1.25 million and Union Pacific is fourth at $1.06 million. Mainline Pipeline Inc. rounds out the top five at $945 thousand in property taxes.
Other notable companies or entities on the top 50 list includes Dillon Companies at number 10 at $563 thousand; Tyson at number 19 at $302 thousand and Collin’s Bus at number 30 at $201 thousand.
Also making the top 50 list again is developer Jim Strawn who came in at number 26 with $1.3 million in valuation and total property taxes paid just over $242 thousand.
A list of the top 10 companies in Reno County is listed below. Figures are supplied by the Reno County Clerk’s Office.
WESTAR ENERGY (ELECTRIC DIVISION) $39,922,242 valuation $6,301,458.86 taxes
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPELINE COMPANY $8,505,141 valuation $1,264,671.16 taxes
BNSF $8,013,523 valuation $1,253,837.82 taxes
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY $6,858,054 valuation $1,069,875.98 taxes
MID AMERICA PIPELINE COMPANY LLC $6,132,246 valuation $881,702.34 taxes
MAIN LINE, INC $5,389,921 valuation $945,548.78 taxes
KANSAS GAS SERVICE A DIVISION OF ONEOK $5,198,776 valuation $879,871.80 taxes
MAGELLAN PIPELINE COMPANY LLC $4,664,780 valuation $695,811.82 taxes
DILLON REAL ESTATE CO, INC $3,219,619 valuation $563,133.88 taxes
DILLON COMPANIES, INC $3,176,224 valuation $556,818.72 taxes