By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved the final draft of the community improvement district for Stonewood North Addition during its Tuesday meeting.
A community improvement district is a designated area where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund road improvements. Subdivision roads in Ellis County are normally not maintained by the county.
Ellis County Administrator Darin Myers said the estimated cost of these improvements is about $256,276, with work expected to begin in 2027.
Commissioners also set a public hearing for May 12 to consider establishing the district and levying assessments. This follows the submission of a petition with the required homeowner signatures.
2027 early budget direction
As the 2027 budget process begins, commissioners provided early guidance to departments. The funding pool is set at 3/10 of a mill, totaling $162,125.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker said he does not support increasing the mill levy after last year’s increase and would prefer to maintain or reduce it.
"I also do not want to raise the mill levy," Commissioner Neal Younger said.
Leiker said the commission has discussed implementing a transient guest tax to help fund programs and would like to continue pursuing it.
Commissioners advised departments to keep budgets flat or reduce spending where possible, acknowledging challenges for departments such as road and bridge.
Myers asked commissioners whether funding for outside agencies, as over $1.3 million was approved for them this year, should remain flat or be reduced.
"That's a hard discussion because two of the biggest asks are very underfunded systems within our state," Leiker said.
Those include Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas and High Plains Mental Health. Leiker said he had no specific direction for those agencies at this time.
Myers said DSNWK and ACCESS Public Transportation are still working through the funding process and that there are no federal-level changes to increase their funds. Myers said this also affects county contributions.
Leiker suggested adjusting sales tax in the future to help fund High Plains Mental Health, given the increasing demand for its services.
Leiker said outside agencies should aim to keep funding levels flat or, if possible, reduce them. Outside agencies must submit requests by May 31 and will present their proposals to the commission on June 9. Department budgets are due May 15.
Other business
• Ellis County Public Works presented the 2025 County Engineer's/Road Supervisor's annual report.
• Commission approved the communications department hiring up to two part-time dispatchers.
• Ellis County Conservation District provided an update on its organization