By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Fireworks go on sale in Hays next week, Saturday, July 2, and will continue to be sold through Monday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. Discharge of fireworks in the city limits is allowed the same three days from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.

At last week’s city commission meeting–as the area wheat harvest got underway–Hays Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil urged residents to be cautious when using their fireworks.

“I just hope people are smart.  Since I’ve been on the commission it’s a no-win situation whether we have them or not,” Musil said.

He supported the decision of Ellis County Commissioners–at the recommendation of Fire Director Darin Myers–not to allow fireworks to be discharged in the county’s rural, unincorporated areas.

“I think the county had a smart idea not allowing fireworks out in the county with harvest going on.  For safety, it’s  the best thing to do.

“I just hope people are actually able to go out and enjoy July 4th but also realize it’s dry out there and harvest is going on, and that’s very important to our economy. I hope the farmers are successful.

“No matter what, some people aren’t going to be happy that other people are shooting fireworks. I really hope they take their neighbors into consideration.

“If you are shooting them off, obey the law. This is probably not a fun time for our police officers or our firefighters,” Musil added.

According to the Hays Municipal Code “persons using fireworks are responsible for cleaning up all debris.  Those found in violation of the Hays City Code may be fined up to $500 and 30 days in jail.”

ELLIS COUNTY 

ELLIS COUNTY–Effective Friday, July 1, 2016, motor vehicle tag registration fees will increase to $3.25 per vehicle registration, in order to support the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

This was done in an effort to increase hiring in the agency, the KHP will receive $2 of the increased fee and the remaining $1.25 will go to the KLETC (Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center) for training.

The mailing of the July renewals has been delayed from mid-June until July 1 in order to add the increase.

All transactions received (by mail) and processed July 1 or after, will be subject to the increased fee. “This means if someone mails in their renewal before July 1 and we receive it on July 1 or after, it will be returned for the additional fee. The postmarks do not apply as they have in the past,” Ellis County Treasurer Ann Pfeifer said in a news release.

“This is what the Department of Revenue has instructed us to do as they will update the computers to handle the new fees after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, and we have no way to avoid collection of the fees shown,” she explained.

Those that would like to go online and renew their July tags early to avoid the extra fee may do so.

To get the information or to print your renewal notice prior to July 1 you may go to:
https://mvs.dmv.kdor.ks.gov/PrintRenewals/default.aspx

“If you have multiple vehicles, you may not be listed on the same renewal form and you will need to look them up by those tag numbers. If you come to the office, please make sure to have a list of your tag numbers and insurance for each vehicle,” Pfeifer added. “We would be happy to help you renew your vehicles, even if you don’t have your notice.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Ellis County commissioners have signed off on the new job description and title “Director of Fire and Emergency Management.”

In May, Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes announced transitions among several appointed department head positions, impacting five departments. The changes are estimated to save Ellis County nearly $100,000 in fiscal year 2017.

The Emergency Management Department, once headed by Bill Ring, is merging with the county’s Rural Fire Department. Ring has been appointed Public Works Director. Current Rural Fire Director Darin Myers will assume responsibility of Emergency Management.

The new job description is “based on the job description Evergreen Consultants did for the Fire Director,” Smith-Hanes explained, “and then we took pieces out of the Emergency Management Coordinator position and added them in, and then Darin reviewed it.”

Commissioners were pleased with the detailed description and noted it had been reviewed by Ellis County Counselor Bill Jeter.

Although the new position and job description have been approved, Smith-Hanes noted the job description “will be coming back to the commissioners later in the year as part of a larger package of job descriptions.”

“We’ll need a motion (to adopt them all) at that time,” he said.

Myers will have two years to earn his additional certification as a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager.

The other transition involves the county Health Department and EMS.

Longtime Ellis County Health Administrator Robert “Butch” Schlyer announced his intention to retire at the end of the calendar year. County Emergency Medical Services Director Kerry McCue will assume a combined role directing both departments.