By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The two newest members of the Ellis County Commission took their seats on the commission this week.
Commissioners Michael Berges and Nathan Leiker each won contested races in the Republican primaries in August then ran unopposed for their respective seats in the November general election.
They were sworn in before Tuesday’s commission meeting.
Berges said he looks forward to working with Leiker and Commissioner Neal Younger.
“I do want to thank (former commissioner) Butch (Schlyer) for his service that last four years. As I told him, (I’ll) try to follow in his footsteps with the county,” Berges said.
Leiker added, “I look forward to serving with these gentlemen with the county.”
Younger was named the commission chair and Leiker the vice chair at Tuesday’s meeting.
In other business, the commission:
• Approved the annual noxious
weed agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
• Approved a design
agreement with Penco Engineering for a work on a bridge south of Walker and 370th
Avenue.
• Adopted a resolution designating Ellis County a Rural Opportunity
Zone.
