By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission heard funding requests from outside agencies during its Tuesday meeting as part of the county's budget planning process for 2027, including an in-depth presentation about ACCESS Transportation.
No action was taken on any requests as that will be decided at a later date.
Jerry Michaud, executive director for the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), requested increased county funding for 2027.
DSNWK requested $250,000 for operational costs. In addition, Kid Link, a DSNWK program, requested $120,000 for operational expenses for children.
Michaud also discussed ACCESS Transportation, a separate service that provides transportation for individuals with disabilities. The service utilizes buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and other accessibility accommodations.
In 2026, ACCESS Transportation received $50,000 from Ellis County and $82,500 from the city of Hays. Michaud said ACCESS Transportation is supported through a partnership involving five organizations: the Kansas Department of Transportation, the city of Hays, DSNWK, Ellis County and Fort Hays State University.
Michaud did not present an exact funding request amount for ACCESS during the meeting but stressed the importance of an increase. Michaud asked commissioners to establish a task force to review future funding to meet ACCESS' needs.
The proposed task force will include one county commissioner, who has not yet been selected. Michaud said the task force would work to determine future funding recommendations in the coming months.
Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams presented the organization's request of $165,000, the same amount it received in 2026.
Williams provided updates on several Grow Hays projects, including senior care services, the Women Who Lead program and the MicroFactory. He said senior participation at the facility has increased to between 40 and 50 people per day for meals. He also highlighted the Women Who Feed program provides quarterly evening meals for seniors.
Williams also said the child care facility remains near capacity with enrollment approaching its licensed limit of 84 children. He added the MicroFactory has four tenants and is 60% to 70% occupied.
While additional tenants are being sought, Williams said the facility is being used daily and remains positioned for future economic development opportunities.
The Humane Society of the High Plains, represented by Betty Hansen, requested $2,600 from Ellis County, the same amount as last year. Hansen said the funding would be used for vaccinations, basic medical needs and care for stray animals brought to the shelter. Hansen noted the funding does not cover the organization's full costs but will help offset expenses.
Amanda Rupp, Ellis County Historical Society executive director requested $115,000, matching the organization's 2026 allocation. Rupp said the Historical Society is working on several projects, including museum restoration efforts supported by $200,000 in grant funding received earlier this year from multiple sources.
High Plains Mental Health Center requested increased funding for 2027. The organization asked for $317,565 for mental health services and an additional $75,540 for its Crisis Intervention Center, for a total request of $393,105. Representatives said the increase reflects improvements made during the past year, including operation of the CIC facility.
The Ellis County Conservation District requested $72,646, unchanged from 2026. According to District Chairman Mary Pfeifer, $61,000 of the request would be used for district operations. Pfeifer said maintaining that level of county support allows the Conservation District to qualify for an additional $50,000 in funding from the state.
The total funding requested by all organizations was $1,118,352, not including any future funding recommendation that may be developed by the ACCESS Transportation task force.
Ellis County District Court Audio/Visual grant
Ellis County commissioners approved moving forward with audio and video upgrades for the Ellis County District Court after the court received a $104,072.85 grant from the Office of Judicial Administration.
Mike Smith, district court administrator for the 23rd Judicial District, said the grant will fund upgrades to three courtrooms in the courthouse.
The project includes installing large monitors for displaying digital evidence, upgraded microphones, cameras and wiring to support hybrid Zoom hearings.
Grant funds will also be used to equip the former Municipal Court courtroom as a functional fourth district courtroom. Currently the fourth courtroom is being used as a jury room, Smith said.
Smith also said converting the courtroom will improve security by allowing inmates to be brought directly from the nearby jail entrance rather than through other areas of the courthouse.
According to Smith, the total project cost is estimated at $105,324. Ellis County will pay the costs upfront and be reimbursed through the grant program. The remaining $1,252 not covered by the grant will be paid from the district court's operating budget. Additional electrical and construction costs needed for the installation have not yet been determined.
"It's going to be a big upgrade,” Smith said. “Technology is passing us by, and this grant allows us to modernize our courtrooms without having to come to the county commission and ask for funding for these expensive projects."
Smith said the grant will help standardize courtroom technology throughout the 23rd Judicial District, which includes Ellis, Rooks, Trego and Gove counties. Installation is expected to begin later this year following preliminary electrical and construction work.
Other business
- Max Dibble is running for the Kansas House Representative District 110. The District incorporates Norton, Phillips, Graham, Rooks and Ellis County excluding the city of Hays and Victoria. Dibble was a Phillips County commissioner for 12 years and introduced himself to commissioners.
- Ellis County commissioners approved the annual distribution of liquor tax funds to the Ellis County Historical Society totaling $8,450. Under Kansas law, counties receive a portion of funds collected from drinking establishments.
- Ellis County commissioners approved a change to the county’s compensation policy regarding introductory period step increases. Human Resources Director Jennifer Taylor said the change is intended to reduce pay compression and improve consistency across departments while still allowing annual step increases for new employees. Taylor also added that Ellis County has hired 20 new county employees this year.