Water resources are on the mind of Ellis city officials.
During a town hall meeting Saturday afternoon, 40th Dist. Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, was asked by Ellis City Council member Jolene Niernberger why Kansas farmers can continuously irrigate their crops when a community is running out of water.
Ostmeyer, who farms in Sheridan County, responded with a caution. “We have to be very careful:”
Outdoor watering is banned in Ellis. The city is currently looking for a new water source, working with geologists and the Kansas Rural Water Association.
The city council will also hear from Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty during its meeting Monday, March 17, about Hays’ development of the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water resource.