By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Due to an increase in costs, the Ellis County Commission voted Tuesday to hike the rent the Schenk and Unrein buildings at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
According to County Administrator Darin Myers, the cost of supplies, maintenance and utility prices for the two buildings is projected to be approximately $77,000.
He said the county tried to equal the revenues of the rentals to the expenditures, but at the current rental rate of $800, the county expected to bring in about $60,000 in revenue.
“The last increase that we had for these rentals was several years ago,” Myers said. “This year is the first year that we're getting a closer to having a balanced budget, per se, in the building rentals line.”
The commission approved the increase for weekend rentals of the buildings to $1,000.
“When we make any changes to the rental amounts, it usually takes about two years to go into effect because The buildings are very popular to be rented out, and they’re usually rented out two years in advance,” Myers said. “So we won't really truly see any revenue increases until probably the middle of '24.”
Myers said currently the buildings are booked until the start of 2024.
Myers said those rates are still cheaper than a couple of event centers in the county and the county buildings and the fair board believes the county buildings offer more flexibility.
“They feel that these prices are still competitive and cheaper than other options in town,” Myers said.
Renters also have to put down a $250 deposit and $100 for insurance.