By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved its 2024 budget for publication on Tuesday with a small mill decrease.
The $31 million budget will require an estimated mill levy of 37.045. That will include a decrease of .53 mills. However, that amount is subject to change when the final valuations are calculated later this year.
The budget includes $400,000 for the implementation of a wage study and paid time off program.
SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission approves wage study in 2024 budget.
The public hearing on the budget and the revenue-neutral rate hearing will be Sept. 12.
Flooding
Although Hays only received about a half inch of rain during the weekend, Victoria received enough rain to require Cathedral Boulevard to be temporarily closed due to flooding.
A slab low water crossing at 150th Street is shut down because heavy rains caused a washout, Brendan Mackay, Ellis County Public Works director, told the county commission on Tuesday.
Once staff finishes the installation on the 260th box bridge within the next week and a half, they will move to repair the low water crossing at 150th, Mackay said.
St. John's Place seeking tax abatement
The Victoria Community Coalition, which is working to remodel St. John's nursing home in Victoria, told the commission it is working on paperwork to request a tax abatement on the property.
Marylin Braun of the coalition said the taxes on the building were $1,700 this year without improvements. The improvements will increase the value of that building, she said.
No formal request was made, and no vote was taken Tuesday.
Braun said the group hopes to begin construction on the project in December or January.
Solid waste updates
The Ellis County Environmental Services Department opened a new construction and demolition pit Wednesday.
This new cell is projected to last eight years, and future expansion cells are already planned for the property.
The new cell is at the Ellis County Landfill, 1515 W. 55th St., Hays.
The commission also approved the use of federal COVID relief funds to purchase a replacement intercom system for the landfill scale house and the replacement of the security gates to include a keypad/remote-activation system.
The combined cost of both bids is $26,775.
The commission also approved the vacation of St. Jacobs Street between 330th Avenue and Saeretza Street in Pfeifer and the replacement of skylights at the Ellis County Administration that were damaged in a hail storm.