Commission takes no action on proposed $1M road project

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

In an effort to limit flooding of fields and roads in the northern part of Ellis County, the county commission heard a report on proposed upgrades to Toulon Avenue at Monday night’s commission meeting.

The county commissioned a study, after residents in the area of Hopewell and Emmeram roads complained of flooding in the area after rain storms.

Engineers from Kaw Valley Engineering told the commission there are several places where the water will run over the road and ditches because of the topography of the land in the area.

Chad McCullough with Kaw Valley said the drainage channel is unique and that is causing a number of places to overflow.

The engineers recommend reconstructing Toulon and raising the road surface to install larger drainage structures.

They also recommend increasing the size and grade of the ditches along Toulon.

Kaw estimated the two proposals would cost between $980,000 and $1 million.

County Commissioners Barb Wasinger and Dean Haselhorst each asked about making changes to the flow pattern, which would be far less expensive, according to McCullough.

But McCullough said it would require the county to make improvements to private land and get permits from the Division of Water Resources, something he said is unlikely.

The commission did not take any action on the recommendation.

In other business:

• The commission heard from EMS Director Kerry McCue, County Appraiser Lisa Ree and the Public Works Department about filling vacant positions within each department. The commission will discuss the need to fill the vacancies at Tuesday’s budget meeting.

• Vicki Hubin with the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center talked with commission about the benefits the center provides to kids in Ellis County. The group serves 30 counties in western Kansas and funded mostly by grants and donations. The group is asking the county for a subsidy, but Hubin said they will continue to serve Ellis County even if they do not receive funds from the county.

• The commission also held a 15-minute executive session to discuss non-elected employee union negotiations and the purchase of real estate. No action was taken.