By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
ELLIS — At the regular meeting of the Ellis City Council Monday night, the group heard four more budget requests as the council works to prepare its 2020 budget.
The first to present was the Daniel Pyle, superintendent of the Ellis Recreation Commission.
“Each year, I come before you to request city funds for the upkeep of the ballfields that we play our softball on,” Pyle said, noting the commission provides upkeep on three of the city’s ballfields.
They have also completed several projects over the year to improve the fields.
“Basically what I am asking for is $5,000 for the upcoming budget year to continue those types of improvements and upkeep of the three ballfields,” Pyle said.
Glen Keller, president of the Ellis Railroad Museum, asked for the same amount allocated for the past several years.
He said the museum continues to grow and has received private donations this year to aid in expansion efforts.
“We are doing a lot of expanding,” Keller said.
However, he told the council the museum would need the council’s financial support in order to remain open for the benefit of the city.
“Tourism in Ellis is very important, and it does attract a lot of people to Ellis,” Keller said.
As improvements continue, he added, they are always looking for grants and other sources of funding to support the growth.
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams presented next.
“You’re my fourth stop. I have been to Ellis County, Victoria and Hays,” he said. “We have had a lot of change at Grow Hays in the last 18 months,” noting the name change, new location and an overhaul of the volunteer board.
“But over that time, our mission has not changed at all,” Williams said.
Business creation, retention and expansion, and recruitment is “what we do,” he said.
“We have over the last 18 months implemented a number of new programs,” Williams said. “Areas that are very important to our community if we are to retain young people and to grow.”
To that end, he shared his request for $4,000, the first since 2017.
“The reality is this organization will not survive long-term without a good level of public funding,” Williams said.
He noted 25 percent to 30 percent of funding comes from private donations, with the rest typically coming from public funds.
“We believe it is important that the public entities invest, and we can’t do it without you,” Williams said.
Council member Jolene Niernberger shared with Williams that, while she felt the programs the organization offers are “excellent,” she was troubled by specific wording in the request documentation.
“You speak of our community,” Niernberger said. “When I think of my community, I think of Ellis.
“Maybe I should be thinking on a broader term, but when I read throughout your letter, our community, our community and then the name of your organization is Grow Hays, I think you are doing it for Hays,” she said. “It’s hard to swallow for me.”
Despite her concerns, she followed up the comment saying she believes the organization is doing “excellent work.”
“I understand where you are coming from,” Williams said. “I really do. When I think of community, I think of western Kansas at this point in time, because we are all in this boat together.”
“Certainly I include Ellis and Victoria and Munjor and everybody else in what I view as our community,” he said.
“In my opinion, what is good for Ellis is good for Hays and what is good for Hays is good for Ellis,” Williams said. “I know it isn’t always that easy, but that is my perspective.”
Niernberger responded saying she appreciates that sentiment and does not disagree.
Ellis Mayor David McDaniel further questioned Williams as to the change this year in requesting public funds.
“When you did your transition and dropped funding from public entities, was there a plan to go back to the public entities, or was it a different type of plan that hasn’t worked?” McDaniel said.
“I wasn’t there when that decision was made,” Williams responded. “In my opinion and based on what I have heard from former board members, they felt that this was an organization that could be funded privately.”
“That’s what I was told,” McDaniel said.
“Bad thought,” Williams answered back. “There is not an (economic development organization) in the state of Kansas that is and it just does not lend itself very well to that. While I believe private investment is important, to fund it all is just not reasonable.”
The president of the Ellis Free Fair, DJ Fisher, also presented a funding request.
“While the community members gladly volunteer for these roles, the lack of extra income often means that fair board members have to complete maintenance and repairs themselves,” Fisher said.
He further noted several aspects of the fair facilities were in need of repair and are used by other community groups.
The amount of the organization’s request was $3,100 and was requested to offset the funding cut from the Ellis County Commission.
“I am here to ask if the city can help us out,” Fisher said, “to get some money back to keep this fair going.”
While Fisher said he was hopeful the council could fund the full request, he added “anything is greatly appreciated.”
