By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County real estate valuations increased in 2025, according to a report given by the Ellis County Appraiser to the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday.
Ellis County Appraiser Eugene Rupp said the county's median property valuation increased by 3% overall in 2025. Agricultural use decreased by 4.4%, residential values increased by 3%, and commercial and industrial values increased by 2.7%.
The overall median value from 2024 was up 4.7%. Rupp said the market is slowing down in 2025.
Hays increased by 3%, Ellis increased by 6%, Victoria by 6%, Schoenchen by 6% and Catharine by 9.4%.
The total final value in Ellis County for 2025 is $3,780,355,500. It was $3,644,458,000 in 2024.
Rupp said the percentage of exempt properties, which include churches, schools and hospitals, changed from 16.7% to 17.21% between 2024 and 2025.
Ellis County road tour
Each year, a commission meeting is scheduled for a tour led by Public Works staff, during which commissioners visit various road and bridge sites throughout Ellis County.
These include projects that have been completed, are underway, are listed in the capital improvement plan, or have been newly identified by staff and the commission for review.
Commissioners spoke with Public Works Director Brendan Mackay about plans for the April 30 tour and discussed additional sites that could be included.
Locations mentioned included the 10th Street bridge in Ellis, the Catharine Road project, Vineyard Road and 270th Street, Reservation Road, and the Leiker Addition on 280th Street.
City of Ellis chip seal project
The commissioners approved the supply of labor and equipment to support the city of Ellis' 2025 chip seal project. The city lacks the resources to complete the work independently.
The city of Ellis will be responsible for material costs, while the county will provide labor, equipment and some materials for work on Washington Street.
AmeriTowne
The commission heard from Katelyn Schmidt, a Roosevelt Elementary fifth-grade teacher, about the school's role in the AmeriTowne program.
Schmidt discussed the project-based learning program, which concludes with a field trip where students participate in hands-on, real-world experiences.
She hopes to encourage other schools to adopt the program and attract more community volunteers.
Other business items.
In other business, the commissioners
• Approved the purchase and installation of a public safety radio booster in the Administrative Center's basement. Due to the concrete structure, radio signals are inaccessible, creating a significant communication issue for public safety personnel.
• Approved the 2026 budget schedule for 2025. The next step in the budget process is for the commission to prepare to give budget directions to department heads, elected officials and outside agencies at the April 15 commission meeting.
• Received an update on the Local Workforce Development Areas One and Two merger. The merger aims to expand effective practices and improve services for job seekers and employers.
• Approved the motion to officially vacate the county's right-of-way for a portion of St. Jacobs Street in Catharine.