By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission has approved the final draft of the 2026 budget during its Tuesday meeting.
The general fund mill levy will increase by 1.961 mills, bringing the total general fund expenditures to $34.7 million, with additional funds for the fire district and solid waste.
Darin Myers, county administrator, said the mill levy increase will require a $100,000 household to pay $22 more per year, and a $200,000 household to pay $45 more per year.
After publication, a public hearing on the revenue-neutral rate and budget will be set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 9 in the Ellis County Commission Chambers.
City of Ellis letter of support
The city of Ellis received the commission's endorsement for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant application to fund improvements on West Second Street from Washington to Dorrance Street.
The project involves replacing the road with concrete and adding new curbs and gutters to handle heavy truck traffic. There is no financial impact for the county.
Sub development road discussion
The commission continued a discussion from June on developing a plan for maintenance and upgrades to county roads maintained in subdivisions throughout the county.
Public Works Director Brendon Mackay presented 21 subdivisions to the commission, with Prairie Acres and Leiker Addition identified as the top priorities needing work.
A resident from Leiker Addition spoke with commissioners about conditions on 280th Avenue and said others living along the road are willing to consider a tax assessment for chip-and-seal improvements.
"[A neighbor] said that he and his wife can't even go out anymore. They can't sit on the front or the back because the road is so bad," the resident said regarding the road being dusty.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker said an engineering and drainage study would be needed before landowners determine the road surface type and its logistics through a petition.
Commissioner Michael Berges suggested completing three subdivisions per year, but Mackay said one or two should be completed instead due to limited time, resources and the need to balance subdivision work with maintaining major county roads.