By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Thanks to a pair of grants, Ellis County Public Works will be adding new signs to help with traffic control.
At Monday night’s Ellis County Commission meeting, Public Works Director Mike Graf told the commission the county has been approved for $56,000 grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation to purchase digital display signs.
The commission gave approval to purchase four signs for approximately $64,000 dollars, with the public works department covering the difference of approximately $8,000.
The county also will send out bids to purchase a radar speed trailer, which alerts motorists of their current speed. Graff said the grant will pay for 60 percent of the $15,000 expense, and the county would be responsible for the difference.
The Intelligent Transportation Grant through KDOT helps to fund anything that deals with transmitting information to the public.
Graff said his department will use the signs in and around construction zones and to direct traffic.
The commission also tabled a discussion on purchasing new air packs for Ellis County Fire District No. 1 so they can get more information.
The rural fire department is looking at purchasing 38 of self-contained breathing apparatus sets, and Rural Fire Director Dick Klaus said the county received three bids for the ranging from $165,109.62 to $217,657.24.
Klaus said the department still is waiting to get tests back on current air packs before the immediate need is known. He estimated the current air pack are approximately 20 years old.
The commission also will wait until its May 5 meeting to discuss proposed changes to the business meals and refreshment and the meals and mileage policy.
Commissioners approved a cereal malt beverage special event permit for the Harold L. Dorzweiler Memorial Cancer Fund, scheduled for Sept. 20 and 21.
The commission has scheduled a special meeting for 5 p.m. Tuesday to meet with architect on courthouse/Law Enforcement Center improvements.
Commissioners Barb Wasinger was absent.