By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission heard a presentation on Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts during its meeting on Tuesday.
Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams spoke to commissioners about the program designed to help cover infrastructure costs for new housing.
Although the program has been utilized in cities like Hays, Ellis and Victoria, Ellis County has never been asked to approve one in its rural areas.
Williams said the program made the Tallgrass Addition in Hays possible. Developed by nonprofit Heart of America, the second addition includes 66 homes.
"I can't tell you how many times I've heard from employers who have tried to hire somebody or have hired somebody who looks around for housing and says they can't find adequate housing for their family," Williams said. "This kind of project is what it takes to try and make sure that doesn't happen, and it doesn't happen without an RHID."
The commission acknowledged the benefits of housing incentive districts but questioned whether they shift costs onto the broader community. They asked if special assessments would be more appropriate.
Adam Pray of the Platinum Group and Williams said it depends on the project. Development costs have risen beyond what many people can afford, he said.
"Each project needs to be looked at on its own merit," Williams said. "Most of the developments statewide are almost exclusively RHIDs, and it's because of the cost of development to try to keep housing within an affordable range."
Commissioner Michael Berges asked why lot prices continued to climb, even though Heart of America sold lots at reduced rates through the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District. Williams said supply and demand were the main factors.
Cereal malt beverage license
On Sept. 1, the process for obtaining a cereal malt beverage license changed. Applicants must first submit their application and a $25 state stamp fee directly to the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Afterwards, applicants must bring the approved application and stamp to the county clerk for license issuance. The clerk will then attach the state stamp to the license.
Agreements for the 2025 High Risk Rural Road Grant
The commission approved two agreements tied to the 2025 High-Risk Rural Road grant, which will fund about $750,000 worth of road safety improvements.
One agreement authorizes inspection services, and the other gives the county authority to award a construction contract to C-Hawk Construction.
The project will install permanent markings and update no-passing zones on 126 miles of major roads.
Risk management award
The Ellis County Safety Committee received a risk management award from the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool for its efforts in promoting safety and risk management.
The $4,766 award will be added to the general fund and used to help offset costs for the county’s Human Resources Information System learning management program.
Other business
Eugene Rupp, county appraiser, said the county achieved 100% substantial compliance on its 2025 appraisal report across all measures. The commissioners congratulated Rupp and his staff on the strong results.
The commission appointed Jerald F. Mermis to the Joint Planning Commission to fill a vacancy. His term will run through June 2026.
The Ellis County Library Board will have a vacancy in September. The unexpired term runs until April 2026, and the commission will make an appointment at its meeting on Sept. 16.
Ellis County Public Works received approval for a bid of $28,800 from Glassman Corporation to install two gas unit heaters in the cold storage building at the public works facility.
The commission also approved a purchase order for $25,000, which will be used by Hays Fire and Rescue to transfer the vehicle body of Rescue 50 onto a new chassis.
The commission postponed consideration of a water well agreement to a later meeting.