By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

With Ellis County in the midst of a wage and benefit study, Ellis County Commission Chair Barb Wasinger approached the idea of a possible hiring freeze within the county at Monday night’s meeting.

Wasinger said as the results from the wage and benefit study come in, it is becoming apparent there are positions within the county that need to see a pay increase, to ensure that county employees get a fair wage.

“There is no way to do that unless we have some more money to work with, without raising taxes,” said Wasinger, “so we need to be looking into how we can cut back a little on staff with laying anyone off.”

The commission agreed to place the possible freeze on the agenda for its next regular meeting, which will be the first Monday in December.

In other business:

• Denea Denio-Odle of Spanenberg Phillips Tice gave the commission an update on the remodel at the 718 Main Administration Building.

She estimated the project is about a month behind, with the finish date approximately Dec. 23.

• The commission approved a network cabling contract for $63,345 and $13,780 for an access control system for the Administration Building.

• The Notice to Proceed document was presented to MW Builders giving them authority to start mobilizing and preparing to begin construction at the courthouse and Law Enforcement Center.

County Administrator Greg Sund said employees will start moving the jail functions Thursday.