By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
HAYS – As Ellis county works to set its 2017 budget, one department is set to get some much-needed help.
After doubling the inmate population with the completion of the newly remodeled jail, Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin told the county commission they were in need of more jailers. During a special budget meeting in June, Undersheriff Bruce Hertel said they were “in desperate need” of jail staff.
At Monday’s meeting, the commission instructed the county administrator to find money in the 2017 budget to hire three new jailers Sheriff Ed Harbin requested in June. It is expected to cost $138,000 including benefits.
Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said they plan to take a portion of the money previously earmarked for the special highway fund. The county will still transfer almost three and a half times the amount they budgeted in previous years. They also plan to transfer some funds from the administrator contingency fund.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger said she also wanted to see if the county treasurer would trim the department’s budget that is offset by state funds from the department of motor vehicle fund. The department has transferred money back to the state in the past, according to Smith-Hanes.
He said he would talk with Treasurer Ann Pfeifer and get back with the commission.
Wasinger said it is important to take care of the newly remodeled jail.
“We spent all this money on this jail, and we have to follow through on what we have built,” she said.
The commission also praised the departments for cutting their budgets from the fiscal year 2016 and Smith-Hanes said when looking over the budgets, “there is not low-hanging fruit.”
Each department was instructed to cut 3 percent from the 2016 as the county worked to close a more than $3.7 million shortfall.
Because of a decline the oil valuation, Rural Fire, which is a standalone taxing entity, will increase the mill levy 0.652 mil. The raise affects residents of Schoenchen and unincorporated areas of Ellis County.
“Rural fire is significantly more impacted by the oil valuation than the overall county is because the total county budget includes a lot of real property that’s located within the four incorporated cities,” Smith-Hanes said. “Real property has very much held its value. Oil has declined significantly in value.”
The money will be used for call-out pay for training for rural firefighters and for automatic aid with the city of Hays.
According to Smith-Hanes, the increase equals $5.11 on a home appraised at $200,000.
The county administrator will present the final budget to the commission next week and they will then set a publication date for later this month and a public hearing in early August.
In other business,
• The commission approved EMS to purchase two new ambulances for $391,012. The new Chevrolet ambulances will replace two Fords that have required significant engine work.
• Approved a 10-year video service franchise agreement with Nex-Tech.
• Met in an executive session to discuss attorney client privilege with the sheriff and county attorney. No action was taken.