By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Calling it an “historic document and an historic vote,” Hays City Commissioners Tuesday night signed an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the city of Russell to pursue development of the R-9 Ranch as a future long-term water source for the region.

The Edwards County ranch was purchased by the two cities 20 years ago. Hays owns 82 percent; Russell owns 18 percent.

Hays City Attorney John Bird outlined the agreement, which has already been signed by Russell city representatives. Bird said a “united front” will be presented to the state in the next step for converting the R-9 water rights from agricultural to municipal use.

“Because we’ve set ourselves up to do the financing, we’ll be paying the cost of acquisition, construction, and those types of things. In turn, Russell has agreed, to the extent that they then draw on this for water, they’ll pay us back what we’ve paid on their behalf to develop the ranch,” explained Bird.

Russell has also agreed to lend legal and public support to the effort, provide necessary approvals or documents for the project to move forward and to cooperate with Hays in support of the project.

Vice Mayor Eber Phelps, who signed the document in the absence of mayor Henry Schwaller, was also a city commissioner when the R-9 Ranch was purchased in 1995. Current Russell City Council member Frank Peirano was then the Public Works Director for Russell.

The interlocal agreement will be sent to the Kansas Attorney General for approval.