By Jon Zweygardt
Hays Post

Ellis County will hold the official opening of the new Emergency Services Building this morning at the 1105 East 22nd location in Hays.

Work began in July 2014 on the $3.5 million project. Ellis County Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management and Rural Fire all began moving in last week, putting all three departments in the same location for the first time.

Tuesday’s ribbon cutting will begin a 10 a.m. and feature presentations from County Commission Chairwoman Marcy McClelland, Commissioner Dean Haselhorst and others.

Ellis County residents are invited to attend. Refreshments will be available with building tours following the ribbon cutting presentation until 4 p.m.

During their Monday night meeting, the commission signed a resolution creating the Buckeye Wind PILOT Fund. Payments received for the Buckeye Wind Project from Invenergy will go to the fund allowing to county to transfer the funds to the general fund and use them as they see fit. McClelland said the county will receive $600,000 per year for 30 years. The payments are in lieu of property taxes. The wind farm began producing electricity Oct. 9.

The commission also approved the purchase of a new set of scales for the transfer station from Salina Scale for $79,045. The company will also rebuild the current scales at the landfill office for $15,900.

Commissioner also approved the Public Works Department to bid on a 2003 Sterling boom truck through Purple Wave for no more than $27,000.