Lincoln School Principal Elaine Rohleder introduces Callie Toews, mobile dairy classroom instructor.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It’s not often you find a cow in a classroom, even if that classroom is outdoors.
To their delight, that’s exactly what students at Lincoln Elementary School, 1906 Ash, saw Tuesday morning.
Jitterbug, a six-year-old Jersey dairy cow, was accompanied by Callie Toews, instructor of the mobile dairy classroom sponsored by Southwest Dairy Farmers.
The program is free, paid for by a checkoff program through Dairy Farmers of America marketing cooperative.
“We talk about where milk comes from, how a cow makes milk and how the milk gets to consumers,” Toews said.
“It’s simple and easy for the kids to understand,” said Elaine Rohleder, Lincoln principal. Toews is the daughter of Beth Unruh, western Kansas educational consultant for the Lexia reading program used by Hays USD 489.
Jitterbug is a 6-year-old Jersey dairy cow and produces 6-8 gallons of milk a day.
During her discussion with four classes of second and third-graders, Toews talked about milk’s nine vitamins and nutrients and the recommended three daily servings of dairy products. The students were quick to shout-out some of their favorite foods made from milk, including ice cream, and a not-so-favorite, cottage cheese.
A large television attached to the side of Jitterbug’s trailer showed pictures and videos illustrating the information Toews provided, including different types of dairy cattle and milking barns.
Toews gets ready to demonstrate the milking process with Jitterbug.
“Jitterbug produces six to eight gallons a day of milk,” she told the students who agreed among themselves they couldn’t drink that much milk in a day.
Dairy cows are milked twice a day. Each group of students got to see the process demonstrated by Jitterbug and Toews, who explained she was using a milking claw on the cow’s udder.
Even though Jitterbug has a light brown coat of hair, the students knew she doesn’t produce chocolate milk. “It’s going to be white,” they said with conviction.
Jitterbug and Toews are based in Newton and take their show on the road across Kansas and into parts of Nebraska and Missouri.
“At the end of her day in the mobile classroom, I give Jitterbug a treat. An Oreo cookie–she loves those,” Toews told the crowd.
The city of Hays has been recognized for years as a leader in water conservation.
The town’s first water conservation program was implemented in 1985 when the Hays Intensive Groundwater Use Control Area (IGUCA) was established by the state at the request of the city.
“The purpose of the IGUCA is to conserve the water supply of the city, to meet the needs and demands of our customers and to eliminate water waste,” explained Jason Riegel, Hays Water Conservation Specialist.
Annual outdoor watering restrictions will begin Thu., June 1 and remain in effect through Sat., Sept. 30. Outside watering will be prohibited between 12 noon and 7 p.m., when evaporation is at its peak.
The restrictions apply to private water well owners, as ordered by the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources, and to city water customers.
Outside water use includes the watering of lawns, landscapes and gardens, and the washing of vehicles.
There are year-round prohibitions in Hays of washing sidewalks, parking lots and driveways, allowing loss of water through leaks in plumbing systems, and lawn water runoff onto sidewalks or into streets.
Violators can be ticketed and fined. The first offense is a warning, the second offense is a $50 fine, a third offense is a $200 ticket, and fourth and subsequent violations are $250 each. The warnings and violations are accumulative over a two-year period.
If residents want to plant a warm season lawn, such as buffalo or Bermuda grass, free permits are available in the city clerk’s office at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main, which will allow outdoor watering at any time.
“We have enjoyed good rainfall amounts this spring,” Riegel acknowledged, “but it’s important to remember how quickly that can change in our area. We must maintain diligence in our conservation efforts.”
Riegel was also quick to recognize and thank Hays residents and business owners for their cooperation.
“We didn’t become the statewide leader in water conservation in any acts the city is doing. It’s our citizenry, our customers, that hold that line.
“We all share the same water source, so let’s work together to protect it,” he added.
Water conservation information is available on the city’s website at www.haysusa.com.
The mission statement of Run For The Wall® (RFTW) says it all with quiet dignity.
RTFW MISSION STATEMENT
To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Run For The Wall was started in 1989 by James Gregory and Bill Evans, two Vietnam veterans who traveled across the heartland of America on motorcycles.
The trip now is a 10-day ride from Ontario, California, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, where The Run officially ends.
There are three routes available, each leaving California Wed., May 17 and arriving Fri., May 26 in D.C after 10 days and 2,872 miles on the road.
Bikers on the central route will come through Hays Sun., May 21, eastbound on Interstate 70 after leaving Goodland that morning and stop in Bunker Hill at approximately 2:30 p.m. for fuel, water and snacks.
ABATE of Kansas District 6, which includes Ellis, Russell, Barton, Rush, Ness and Trego counties, will pay for the fuel pumped for the cross-country riders in Bunker Hill.
A donation fund, ABATE Dist. 6 RFTW Savings Account, has been set up at Equity Bank in Hays, according to Lou Ann Kibbee, a member of ABATE Dist. 6 in Ellis. The group has been asked to raise $2,500 to help pay for gasoline.
“The American Legion and Legion Auxiliary in Hays have already donated funds,” Kibbee said, “as well as the Ellis VFW and VFW Auxiliary. If the public donates more money than we need, it will stay in the savings account to be used for next year’s run.
“We found out recently the fuel stop in Bunker Hill is no longer sponsored and decided it would be a good project for ABATE,” she explained.
The regional ABATE chapter has already conducted another good project, an April 9 poker run which raised funds for victims of the devastating Kansas wildfires in early March. “We raised a little money for them and had a good time riding our counties out here,” Kibbee said.
ABATE of Kansas is a non-profit group which fosters, promotes and encourages safe motorcycling.
Local motorcyclists wave to RFTW riders on I-70 east of Hays in 2014.
The Hays American Legion Riders have organized a local public greeting of the motorcyclists on the Commerce Parkway exit overpass as the caravan drives east on I-70, estimated to be shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday.
“It’s an open invitation to join us,” said Ray Palmer, Riders director. “We want to show our support of the RFTW.”
Palmer is planning for about 60 American flags to be spaced out and displayed on both sides of the bridge by the Legion riders who will be joined by motorcyclists from Norton, Larned and Kensington.
No public vehicle parking will be allowed on the overpass, Palmer emphasized. “We do what we need to to comply with the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Department of Transportation so we can do keep doing this every year.”
This is the 28th year of the Run For The Wall.
Palmer and Kibbee encourage people to recognize the riders anywhere along the route.
“If you see them, wave them on by and give them the thumbs up,” Kibbee said. “They’re on the way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. in honor of all veterans. Their motto is ‘we ride for those that can’t.'”
A light pole at Lincoln Elementary School was felled by high wind early Tuesday morning.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Two light poles were downed in Hays by strong south wind gusts in excess of 50 mph early Tuesday morning.
According to official weather observations at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, the weather front blew through Hays between 12:30 and 1 a.m.
One street light pole was downed by the high wind at the corner of 21st and Volga in east Hays, according to Mike Morley, Midwest Energy communications manager.
A second pole was snapped off at the bottom along the north fence of Lincoln Elementary School, 1906 Ash.
The pole was broken off at ground level.A portion of the playground fence was knocked over by the pole and has been straightened temporarily with posts.
Principal Elaine Rohleder said the light focuses on the school’s playground. The pole fell on the fence and into the playground area. The fence was temporarily straightened after daylight.
No injuries were reported in either incident. Some tree limbs were also downed and a number of blue city of Hays trash polycarts were blown over.
The front also felled rural power poles in Ness County.
Midwest Energy was on the scene in southeast Ness County early this morning. Morley said seven power poles collapsed near Bazine and there were problems with a transmission line. Morley expected the MWE crew from Great Bend to be finished with repairs this afternoon.
The Hays Area Planning Commission will thank outgoing members and welcome new commissioners during their Mon., May 15 meeting.
Former Planning Commissioners Darrell Hamlin, Kris Munsch and Larry Gould will be recognized followed by introduction of the three new commissioners, Mike Vitztum, Jim Schreiber and Dustin Schlaefli.
Planning commissioners apply to serve on the board and are appointed by the Hays mayor.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main. The complete agenda is available here.
Thursday’s ribbon cutting by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce for the latest house built by NCK Tech students in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
House #8 built by students at NCK Tech in Hays was celebrated Thursday morning with a ribbon cutting by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
House #1 was built 35 years ago and overseen by Doug Marrs, an instructor in the Carpentry/Cabinetmaking program who is now department chairman. The house building project was discontinued and then resurrected seven years ago. Marrs has been involved the entire time.
NCK Tech President Eric Burks pointed out during remarks at Thursday’s ceremony the latest house is smaller than usual, although it has an attached garage.
(Video and photos by C.D. DeSalvo, Hays Post)
“We only had six carpentry students this year and this was a big undertaking for them to do,” Burks said. “They’ve really been humping it over the last few weeks to get the house into shape.”
Many other students participated in the project and all were under the supervision of licensed faculty. The Electrical Technology students did all the wiring and lighting in the house under the direction of instructors Keith Bunger and Allan Hill. Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning students worked with program instructor Skip Cox.
The NCK Tech house includes a two-car garage.
“It really is a culmination from efforts from a lot of students,” said Burks, “and we really appreciate all the efforts they do.”
“It was a stressful time for all of us because you never know what you’re going to get,” Burks explained. “We’ve had houses that have sold for over $200,000 and we’ve had houses sell for barely over $100,000…it’s ranged that much and that’s difficult to budget around.”
Last year NCK Tech partnered with Northwest Kansas Housing Inc., Norton, establishing a multi-year relationship to provide housing in rural Kansas communities.
“They said we’ve got a purpose for these houses and we can stabilize (the NCK Tech costs). NCK Tech said we can supply houses which NWK Housing has had a hard time finding contractors for. I think it’s been a mutually good partnership,” Burks said.
Randy Hrabe, executive director of NWK Housing, agreed.
“NWK Housing started about 17 years ago with the idea that we knew there are rural areas that needed housing,” Hrabe told the crowd.
“We’ve already built 110 houses throughout northwest Kansas and we have a hard time getting contractors. When I talked to Eric a year ago, we made an agreement to buy each of the houses constructed in Hays and at the Beloit campus for the next five years.”
Hrabe, who is also executive director of the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, hopes to expand the NWK Housing/NCK Tech partnership beyond the house projects.
“We do approximately $10 million worth of business loans a year. I’d like to work in NCK Tech students and talk to them about what it takes to start your own business in our rural communities and keep them here and be productive citizens within our own communities,” Hrabe said. “That’s our goal.”
NWK Housing also has a house construction agreement with Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland.
“That’s a little different out there. The city of Goodland gave us an entire city block. The students are building one house each year on that site. We don’t have to move them,” Hrabe explained.
House #7 purchased last year by NWK Housing from NCK Tech in Hays was moved to WaKeeney. It sits just west of the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery on one of several lots owned by NWK Housing.
“Hopefully, in about two weeks the flooring will all be done in the basement. It’s going to be a wonderful home. It’s probably going to be as nice a house as any house in WaKeeney,” Hrabe said with pride. He plans to invite the NCK Tech students to the open house ceremony.
The WaKeeney house now features a walk-out basement and a 10-by-30-foot deck.
“Everybody is just impressed with the cabinets the students here make. It’s going to be a super nice house for somebody,” he added.
The NWK Housing partnership agreements with NCK Tech in Hays and Beloit along with NWK Technical College in Goodland caught the attention of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
“Last year, we did receive the Kansas Ad Astra Award for Housing Development because this is something different that nobody else has really tried,” Hrabe said.
“I think this is a wonderful partnership that we can work regionally to get housing for northwest Kansas.”
Ellis Mayor David McDaniel filed Friday morning for re-election. There are also three open council seats and that of the Ellis city treasurer.
Ryan Mauch, Victoria, also filed Friday morning for the Victoria USD 432 school board where there are three positions open.
The filing deadline is noon, Thu., June 1, in the Ellis County District Clerk’s office, 718 Main, Hays.
Names of candidates filing for office are available on the Ellis County website, www.ellisco.net, along with other information about the upcoming primary and general elections.
ELLIS–The liner for the 80-year-old municipal swimming pool has been repaired by Natare Corporation. The pool has been having issues with water leaks.
A report was presented to the Ellis City Council during their May 1 meeting by Fort Hays State University Leadership students Kate Neer and Matt Perkins. The findings of their research on pool options ranged from closing the pool to a complete reconstruction of the facility. Respondents to the pool needs assessment survey favored purchasing and installing a new liner, followed by the option to renovate the current facility.
Council members also heard from the Ellis Community Foundation that the company installing the new pool slide, Perfect Settings, is unable to complete the project before the swimming pool opens for the season. The company plans to have the slide ready to install by the end of June. The pool can remain open during the installation.
In other water-related business, Ellis has received permits from the Kansas Department of Agriculture for the appropriation of water for two well sites northwest of Ellis.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
May 1, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Charlene Weber, Chad Pritchett, Glen Keller, Pauleen Edmonds, Kassi Brown, Nan Brown, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Matt Perkins, Kate Neer, Sharon Disney, and Gary Luea.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 17, 2017, Bills Ordinance #2020, and the manual journal entries for November 2016. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gary Luea, 1807 Spruce, handed out information on the definition of conflict of interest to each of the Council members.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Kate Neer and Matt Perkins, Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team, gave their presentation outlining the findings of their research of pool options ranging from closing the pool to a complete reconstruction of the facility. The results of their pool needs assessment survey showed respondents favored purchasing and installing a new liner, with renovating the current pool facility coming in second. The Team noted that the only way to ensure a reduction in water loss is to repair the structural issues with the 80 year old facility, which is well past its life expectancy. Mayor David McDaniel presented Ms. Neer and Mr. Perkins each with a Citizenship Award thanking them for their research with the project.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Pauleen Edmonds and Nan Brown, Ellis Community Foundation, updated Council on the pool slide fundraising project. The company installing the slide, Perfect Settings, is unable to build and install the slide by the time the pool opens; however, they should have the slide ready to install by the end of June and the pool can remain open during the installation. Council stressed that fencing must be intact throughout the entire project to ensure the safety of individuals in the area. At the last meeting, Council agreed to a $10,000 donation to the Ellis Community Foundation contingent on the slide being installed by May 30, 2017. Ms. Edmonds is asking for a time extension of that motion in order to allow the slide installation in June. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Susan Eaton seconded a motion to extend the donation period to June 30, 2017. The motion carried 6-0; with Council member Dena Patee abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Licenses/Permits
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Fireworks Permit Applications for the Ellis Baseball/Softball Association and the Ellis Baptist Youth. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, was unable to attend; therefore, Mayor David McDaniel reviewed Change Order #3 for the Street Improvement Project. The top of an existing reinforced concrete box will be in the new pavement at 11th Street and Cottonwood Avenue. Therefore, the contractor is proposing removing a section of the box and tying the inlets together using a longer pipe, resulting in a cleaner connection and adequate cover over the pipe for the new pavement. In the interest of time, Mayor David McDaniel and Public Works Foreman Dan Wickham approved the change order prior to the meeting. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify approval of Change Order #3 for the Street Improvement Project at a cost of $3,720.00. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Licenses/Permits
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages from the Ellis Chamber of Commerce for June 9, 2017. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Dena Patee abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
General Government: Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas is requesting the City sign an agreement allowing our current health insurance provider, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., to obtain an insurance quote from BCBS for the City’s new plan year. The agreement would give the City another provider to consider when comparing costs for renewal. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Consultant of Record Agreement as requested by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. The motion carried 6-0.
Streets: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton had the County contact her regarding the official name of Cottonwood. The documents they researched show the official name as Cottonwood Avenue; however, the City maps refer to the roadway as Cottonwood Street, as does the Post Office and the City’s street signs. After discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to direct the City Attorney to draw up documents renaming Cottonwood Avenue to Cottonwood Street. The motion carried 6-0.
City Attorney: Contracts
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented a revised contract for professional services for consideration. The proposal includes up to 16 hours of work on City matters for the flat fee of $2,500 per month. Additional hours will be billed at the reduced rate of $175.00 per hour. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner asked Ms. Raub if she would be willing to increase the hours included in the flat fee to 18 hours. In discussion, both the Council and Ms. Raub would like to set the contract term at one year, in order to revisit the rates and hours. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschebrenner seconded a motion to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a revised agreement for consideration at the next meeting. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was absent from the meeting, therefore, Mayor David McDaniel updated Council on the Department’s projects. Council reviewed the Comparative Water Reports for the period February 10th – March 10th.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
Natare Corporation has made repairs to the pool liner. It is unknown if the work performed will be considered under warranty at this time.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for April and the May Staff Calendar. The number of cases has decreased; however, the magnitude of those cases is greater.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Financial Reports consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Securities Deposit Worksheet for November 2016.
Council reviewed the draft minutes from the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on April 24, 2017.
The swimming pool staff has been hired for the 2017 season.
Water Exploration: Licenses/Permits
The City has received permits from the Kansas Department of Agriculture for the appropriation of water for two well sites northwest of Ellis.
General Government: Contracts
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to authorize the City Clerk to develop a list of duties and to solicit bids for the cleaning contract for City Hall. The motion carried 6-0. The current contract has not been reviewed since 1998.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the code violation cases outstanding are being actively addressed. The City does have one agriculture lease that will be terminated due to nonpayment.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel gave an update from the 2017 Leadership Summit and Kansas Mayor’s Conference that he and Council member Jolene Niernberger attended April 21st – 22nd in Dodge City. Ms. Niernberger was recognized at the conference for completing Level 1 of the Municipal Training Institute with the League of Kansas Municipalities.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
A little more than an inch of rain fell overnight Wednesday in Hays after a daytime high of 80 degrees. Thursday’s high is forecasted to be considerably cooler at 62 degrees.
According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, Hays received 1.08 inches of rain up until 9 a.m. The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, received 1.07 inches as did the town of Catherine.
So far in May, Hays has had 1.30 inches of rain. For the year to date, 11.98 inches of moisture has been measured in Hays.
The 20-year-old city of Hays Service Division dump truck #837 is budgeted to be replaced in 2017.
During their Thursday meeting city commissioners will consider accepting the low bid of $139,151 from Summit Truck Group of Salina. The new truck will be paid for from the New Equipment Reserve Fund.
The truck is one of six Service Division dump trucks equipped with snow plows to clear streets of snow and ice and perform general construction and maintenance operations throughout the year.
Existing #837, 1997 Chevy truck
Water Resources Maintenance has a 1992 dump truck #839 used exclusively for waterline breaks. It’s worn out and would be replaced by #837, allowing #839 to be sold at auction. The existing dump truck #837 will be transferred from Service Division to Water Resources – Utility Maintenance.
“In the winter, if we’ve got our plows and salt spreaders on, and there’s a waterline break, it can take 30 to 45 minutes to get that equipment off that truck and then be able to use it for waterline repair. So #839 just sits there, waiting for a waterline break,” John Braun, assistant public works director explained to commissioners.
The New Equipment Reserve Fund was created a few years ago, according to Braun.
“We’ve got this fund to replace vehicles and that way the city doesn’t have to lease-purchase, or borrow money in advance or try to budget large sums in various places,” Braun explained. “So every year, we’re transferring money from various accounts–General Fund, Utilities, Airport, Police and Fire–into the New Equipment Reserve Fund to purchase vehicles scheduled for replacement.”
The Solid Waste Division has its own account.
There are some city vehicles, when replaced and money is no longer being saved for replacement, they are kept in the city fleet.
“A good example of that is seasonal vehicles,” Braun pointed out. “We have a pickup the guys are using every day for 15 years and it’s looking pretty ratty but it still runs. Jeff Boyle, director of parks, hires a whole bunch of seasonal employees during the summer and they need that beater truck to run around and empty trash cans in the parks.
“We keep that pickup an extra year, two, or three, and when we replace another vehicle in the fleet, the worst vehicle goes away and another truck goes down to replace it,” he said.
Other agenda items for the May 11 city commission meeting include a bid award for an airport paint sprayer and a building abatement of Discount Liquor, 3310 Vine, Suite 30.
WILSON–Still no determination on the cause of Sunday afternoon’s fire in Wilson which destroyed an abandoned mill, according to a news release late Tuesday morning from Wilson City Clerk Susan R. Kriley.
The complete news release is below.
From the City of Wilson, KS
Wilson Fire Department responded to a fire at the old mill located at 720 26th Street in Wilson, KS on May 7, 2017 at 2:15 p.m.
The cause is undetermined. The incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal and the Wilson Police Department.
Responding fire departments were: Wilson, Bunker Hill, Dorrance, Ellsworth, Holyrood, and Russell City with assistance from: Ellsworth County Dispatch, Ellsworth County Emergency Management, Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
Two more people have filed to run in the Nov. 7 general election in Ellis County.
Ryan Lichter, Victoria, is seeking a seat on the Victoria City Council. Lance Bickle, Hays, a current Hays USD 489 school board member, is running for another term.
Hays city commission incumbents Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs filed for re-election in late April.
All candidate filings must now be made in Kansas county clerks’ offices.
“The deadline is Thu., June 1 at noon and all local filings have to be taken in the Ellis County Clerk’s Office at 718 Main,” advised Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus.
“In the past they were able to go to their city offices but that law was changed last year and all filing fees went to $20,” she added. Candidates may also file at no cost with a petition signed by qualified voters.
Open seats in Ellis County are as follows.
CITY ELLIS–Mayor, Treasurer, 3 council seats HAYS–3 city commission seats (top 2 vote-getters elected to four-year terms; third highest vote-getter receives two-year term) SCHOENCHEN–Mayor, 5 council seats VICTORIA--Mayor, 3 council seats
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ELLIS USD 388–3 seats VICTORIA USD 432–3 seats HAYS USD 489–3 seats
A Tue., Aug. 1 primary election would be triggered if there is one candidate more than double the number of open seats in any race. Voter books for the primary election will close Tue., July 11.
The final day to register to vote is Tue., Oct 17 for the Tue., Nov. 7 election.
This year for the first time in Ellis County, residents will also have the opportunity to vote for Ellis County Extension Council members.
There will be two extension council positions voted on in the November general election.
Extension council candidates will still file in the Ellis County Clerk’s office although they have an extended deadline of noon Fri., Sept. 1. “Since they’re only on the November ballot, the filing deadline is different,” Maskus explained.
The filing deadline is also Sept. 1 for residents in four Improvement Districts, again because they are only on the November ballot.
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS BIG CREEK PRAIRIE ACRES MUNJOR SUBURBAN ESTATES
The names of candidates filing for office are available on the Ellis County website, www.ellisco.net, along with other information about the upcoming elections. If you have any questions, call the county clerk office at (785) 628-9410.
