RENO COUNTY, Kan. – Reno County officials would like to address misinformation circulating on social media regarding the Reno County Health Department.
The Reno County Commission has not voted to close the Health Department or reduce its funding.
At the Feb. 25th commission meeting, the Commission removed two Health Department grant items from the agenda in order to request more detailed information before voting.
The items were:
- Approval of Reno County Health Department’s KDHE Aid-to-Local (ATL) Grant Application in the amount of $889,513.80
- Approval of Reno County Health Department’s KDHE Outreach, Prevention, and Early Intervention (OPEI) Services passthrough grant in the amount of $350,000
Commissioners simply requested a clearer breakdown of the services and programs supported by these grants to ensure informed decision-making. The request was informational in nature and was not a proposal to eliminate funding.
To allow for that discussion, the Commission has scheduled a study session on Monday, March 2, at 4:00 p.m. in the Veterans Room of the courthouse at 206 W. First Avenue. Study sessions are work sessions intended for Commissioners to ask questions and gather information. No formal action will be taken during the March 2nd study session.
Following the study session, any formal vote regarding the grant applications will occur at the regularly scheduled Commission meeting which begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11th.
Reno County Commission Chair Ron Hirst emphasized that the Commission’s intent is to make informed decisions. “The Commission simply asked for an explanation of what services are supported through each grant before approving them,” said Hirst. “There has been no action taken to close the Health Department or cut its funding.”
Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Reno County Administrator Randy Partington at 620-694-2530 or at [email protected].
Reno County remains committed to transparency and to supporting essential public health services in our community.
