By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission on Monday approved the sale of the Rural Fire building at 1208 Cedar in Hays.

With the Ellis County Rural Fire Department moving into the new Emergency Services building at 22nd and General Custer this fall, the department no longer needs the fire building on Cedar. In August, the county set out a request for bids.

Rural Fire Director Darin Myers said the county received bids ranging between $40,000 and $136,900, with the high bid from Paul-Wertenberger Construction of Hays. The commission accepted Paul-Wertenberger’s bid.

The money from the sale will go back into the Rural Fire Department’s budget.

Myers said they hope to complete the transfer by Nov. 1.

The county will also begin the process of selling the Emergency Services building, as well.

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst presented the commission with an update on the Courthouse/Law Enforcement Center and Emergency Services building. He said the courthouse is “moving right along.”

The punch list walk-through at the EMS building will be Friday. The punch list is a list of the final tasks that must be completed at the end of a project. Haselhorst added they are working on issue with the generator, which he said was “under-spec,” noting what was discussed and what was purchased were two different things.

The commission also:

• Approved a resolution changing the number of members on the joint planning commission to six.
• Approved an increase in zoning regulation application fees.
• Approved a contract with L&M Contractors of Great Bend for $148,530.70 to replace the Emmeram Road Bridge.