South Hutchinson seeks county participation in neighborhood revitalization plan; commissioners voice statutory and tax-abatement concerns

A South Hutchinson representative identified as James presented the city’s updated Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to the Reno County Commission on May 22, asking the county to sign an interlocal agreement to participate in the program.

James described geographic additions (a 56‑lot Southern Hills development, commercial frontage called The Landing) and proposed a split rebate structure the city favors: residential property would receive a 10-year declining rebate while commercial development would receive a five-year 100% rebate. He said the plan has produced housing and some commercial upgrades since its inception in 2008 and that USD 309 and the HCC have already signed interlocal agreements.

Commissioners pressed James on a longstanding statutory requirement: the neighborhood-revitalization mechanism was created to address blighted or deteriorated areas, not to exempt new, high-value development from property taxes. One commissioner said a large portion of the areas identified appeared to be vacant land or suitable for new development and questioned whether they met the statute’s intent; another said the county could not comfortably approve a plan that would allow a $250,000 (or higher) home to avoid property taxes. The presenting official said the city has its own incentive program (waived utility minimums and waived permit fees) and would supply valuation figures when requested.

A commissioner who reviewed the statute with county legal staff said he believed the areas listed in South Hutchinson’s application did not meet statutory criteria and stated he could not support approving the plan under the law’s intent. No vote was taken; the item remained a discussion pending further documentation, including valuation data the city offered to provide.

James also updated the commission on a Reno County veterans memorial project in South Hutchinson and requested additional fundraising support; he estimated approximately $150,000 would be required to complete final wall panels and lighting for the memorial.