By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The three candidates running for the first district seat on the Ellis County Commission in the November general election took part in a debate Tuesday at Fort Hays State University.
Republican candidate Butch Schlyer, Democrat Chris Rorabaugh and Independent John Walz all took turns answering five questions, given to the candidates several days in advance, and questions from the audience at the event hosted by the FHSU Student Government Association and the university’s American Democracy Project.
The financial future of Ellis County, the number of commissioners and promoting economic development were among the topics discussed by the three candidates.
Republican Butch Schlyer and Independent John Walz called the budget current situation the most pressing issue facing Ellis County.
Schlyer, the former county health administrator, said information provided to him from County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes puts the projected deficit at almost $9 million in the next five years.
“A deficit that big is going to impact the people and citizens of Ellis County,” Schlyer said. “If we don’t decrease expenses, property taxes could go up by 17 mills or approximately 40 percent more than what you’re paying right now.”
He added cutting county expenses will affect services and the county has to operate differently in the future to help close the deficit.
“The old saying that you do more with less, that ship sailed five or six years ago in Ellis County,” Schlyer said. “If we cut expenses, we’re going to be cutting services.”
Walz, a long-time law enforcement officer and current Ellis County Sheriff’s Department employee, said he saw three options to balancing the budget — raise taxes, cut services or a county-wide sales tax.
He said none of the solutions are great but the budget deficit is a “major problem.”
“I think we are at the bottom of cutting, without losing services,” Walz said. “We’ll either lose services or they will slow down, and in this world, I’m not sure who will put up with that.”
Rorabaugh, a long-time educator and coach who currently works part-time as a property inspector for the City of Hays, called the budget the elephant in the room.
He called for a reduction in the salary of the three county commissioners by half to a total of $30,000 per year. Rorabaugh also said the county should no longer pay for KPERS benefits and health insurance for the three commissioners. He estimated it would save the county about $244,000 over four years.
“This won’t solve the $2 million deficit, but it would be a step forward for the commissioners to lead the way,” Rorabaugh said.
He also said the county may have to look at a reduction in the amount of money the county spends on health insurance.
Rorabaugh is also a proponent of expanded wind energy in Ellis County.
“Even though there’s some minor negativity regarding wind farms, I say let’s talk about it and see if we can use clean wind energy in Ellis County to help reduce this painful deficit,” he said.
Rorabaugh and Walz were also in favor of some of the money from the wind farm companies going to schools in Ellis County.
Invenergy, the owner of the Buckeye Wind Farm, makes payments to Ellis County in lieu of taxes.
Walz said one of the ways he believes leaders of Ellis County can support economic development is to promote all the county has to offer — something he doesn’t believe the current county leaders do enough of.
“Ellis County needs to work with all communities and Fort Hays State University, promoting what they have to offer,” Walz said. “We need to toot our own horn, and I’m afraid that isn’t done enough. We have so much offer in this community. We need to tell people about it.”
Rorabaugh called for the commission to give continued support to the economic development group Grow Hays.
When asked why each candidate wanted to serve on the county commission Schlyer said he has always been interested in the administrative role of the commission and believes his knowledge of the county government will help him if elected.
“I bring a wealth of county experience and knowledge to the position. I already know how many things are done. I don’t know everything, but I know many things,” Schlyer said. “I’ve already demonstrated that I made a difference at your health department, (and) I can make a difference as your county commissioner too.”
Walz said he believes his experience serving on a number of committees and boards, including the Ellis City Council, the Ellis School Board and the Ellis County Historical Society Board can help the county.
“I take great satisfaction in working through issues and budgets, working toward coming up with answers,” Walz said. “I feel my life experiences will help with looking at all the facts to come up with the best solutions.”
“I want to give back to Ellis County that has given men so many opportunities,” he said.
Rorabaugh said he has thought about running for office for several years after retiring from teaching.
“Now I do have the time and energy to do a great job,” Rorabaugh said. “I would like to make Ellis County a better place to live, work and get an education for future generations.”