By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
During its Tuesday meeting, the Ellis County Commission continued discussions on capital improvement projects, but staff reported the costs would be $3.7 million lower than initially estimated.
At last week’s commission meeting, Hutton representatives outlined initial project scopes and budget estimates for several improvements. The following are updated costs:
• Sheriff's office and communications department renovation, estimated cost of $2,986,097
• Combined EMS/fire facility in Ellis, estimated cost of $2,634,875
• Administrative Building fan coil units replacement, estimated cost of $1,700,000
• Courthouse HVAC replacement, estimated cost of $3,200,000
• Fire storage building at public works, estimated cost of $250,000
• Landfill transfer station expansion, estimated cost of $250,000
Hutton estimated the total cost at about $14.49 million, but commissioners lowered that figure to about $10.78 million after further review.
Darin Myers, county administrator, recommended removing the transfer station expansion from the bond package and instead funding it through solid waste reserve funds, with the project planned for 2027.
The commission explored issuing a $10 million to $11 million bond to cover the projects. Myers said the financing plan would not result in any increase in property taxes.
The Sheriff’s Office and communications renovation includes redesigned office space, upgraded security features and a new dispatch room. Once the Hays Police Department vacates the building in 2026, its former entrance area will be converted into a training room.
Myers said the main renovation totals about $2.4 million, but when adding jail security upgrades, relocating radio and dispatch equipment, the cost rises to about $2.9 million.
The new EMS and fire facility’s cost was lowered by almost $1 million by eliminating items such as storage space and drive-through bays. However, Myers said that adding those bays back in would depend on whether the city of Ellis wants them, which would increase the overall cost.
The courthouse’s Variable Refrigerant Flow heating system has been unreliable since it was installed in 2014, leading the county to spend $20,000 to $30,000 each year on repairs.
The commission expressed interest in switching to a water-to-air heat pump system with a lifespan of up to 40 years.
The administrative building has about 110 fan-coil units, many of which are leaking condensation and damaging ceiling tiles. Myers said some units are unused or have been replaced recently, so the actual number that needs replacement will be lower than 110.
The fire storage building will be placed on Public Works property at a lower-than-anticipated cost, with the commission receiving a local contractor estimate and even firefighters volunteering to do portions of the interior work.