Ellis Co. Commission elects to use funds for possible improvements north of Hays

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission voted Monday to move forward with spending funds, previously set aside for economic development, to look at improving the business corridor north of Interstate 70.

County Administrator Phillips Smith-Hanes said the county had previously looked into improving the infrastructure on 230th Avenue in the area of Fairground Road and Feedlot Road but a decline in oil prices halted the project.

Now that the oil prices have rebounded, the county is again looking at making improvements to the area.

“We’ve had a lot of development up in that area,” Smith-Hanes said. “With Midwest Energy, Celebration Community Church, Hess Services, Pertl Ranch Feeders and other businesses and so we have been investigation transportation improvements in that area for more than five years.”

All three commissioners offered support for the move.

“We all know how much this needs to get worked on,” said Commissioner Barb Wasinger. “This is perfect.”

On Monday, the county commission voted to $23,775 to hire support personnel to begin gathering project information. That includes hiring an engineer to get updated cost estimates a consultant to work with KDOT. Smith-Hanes said the county also could hire bond counsel to work on county funding options.

The commission has previously set aside approximately $48,000 for the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development. Because the group has elected not to receive public funding, the commission has been looking at areas to dedicate the funds.

In other business, the commission approved staffing changes within the treasurer’s office presented by County Treasurer Lisa Schlegel.

The changes include revising the job description and pay grade for the accounting manager and tax administrator positions. The change also adopts a job description for the new classification of treasury operations manager and reclassifies the position currently held by Casey Hammond into that position.

Schlegel said the changes will save the county about $3,200 per year in salary.