By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved the sale of the former Emergency Medical Services Building, located at 1009 Cody Ave., at Monday’s meeting.
EMS Director Kerry McCue presented the commission with two bids. The commission approved the high bid of $216,175 from Augie Windholz, owner of Augie’s Repair of Hays.
Last month, the county’s rural fire, emergency medical services and emergency management departments all moved into the new emergency services building located at 1105 E. 22nd.
County Counselor Bill Jeter will draw up a sale contract for the commission to approve at a later date.
Similar to the sale of the Rural Fire Building, the money from the sale will go into the EMS equipment fund.
As the Public Building Commission, they approved a change order for $37,303 for carpet and tile in the Law Enforcement Center. Commissioner Dean Haslehorst said the floor covering was removed by his predecessor, as a way to bring the project in under budget.
In other business the commission got an update on fair activities. Fair Board Jill Pfannenstiel told the commission they plan to replace the electronic thermostat system at the buildings. They also plan to rebuild the current bathrooms and install a permanent lean-too on to the rabbit and poultry.
Agreed to join, at no-cost to the county, a lawsuit with Johnson County dealing with notification of taxpayer of change in classification or appraised valuation of property. Johnson County is covering the costs but asking counties to join the suit.
Jeter updated the commission on the tax foreclosure sale that they are currently working on. Jeter said they have had a number of people who were on the list pay their taxes. Currently he estimated they have between $140,000 and $150,000 still due. Jeter said the sale will be in either March or April. People who owe taxes have until the day before the sale to pay back taxes.
The commission also decided to change the meeting schedule back to the first three Monday’s of the month. They had been meeting every Monday while construction continued on the two projects. Now that construction at the Emergency Services Building is complete and the Courthouse/LEC construction is nearing the end, the commission believes they do not need to meet every Monday.