By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
Ellis County commissioners will consider accepting a $200,000 donation Tuesday to help replace outdated lighting throughout the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
Tallgrass Development LLC is offering the donation after company staff learned that lighting installed almost 20 years ago is inadequate in several areas and less energy-efficient than newer LED fixtures.
This comes just weeks after neighboring landowners filed a lawsuit against Ellis County and the developer of the Tallgrass solar project.
To view the article, click here.
The lawsuit alleges commissioners failed to follow proper procedures when approving the project’s conditional-use permit and relied on incomplete information.
To view the conditional-use permit article, click here.
The proposed $237,100 project would replace lighting in the parking lots near the Schenk and Unrein buildings, the midway, the rodeo arena and RPM Speedway.
RPM Speedway would receive six new 60-foot steel poles and lighting. Two additional poles would be installed along the north side of the parking lot near Fairground Road.
According to the agenda, Midwest Energy estimates the upgrades could save Ellis County about $7,000 in energy costs. The company would inspect the fairgrounds after the project is completed to recalculate the county’s energy use and monthly demand fees.
The Tallgrass donation would leave Ellis County responsible for up to $37,100, which would be paid from contingency funds.
Ellis County fair board members are seeking donations for services and materials, including utility-pole installation and removal, electrical trenching, crane and boom-truck rentals and concrete. Those contributions could reduce the county’s final cost.
Tallgrass Development LLC representatives are expected to attend the meeting to present the donation.
4-H Week
Ben Sims, 4-H and youth development agent with the Cottonwood Extension District, will update commissioners on his work with local 4-H groups.
Commissioners will also recognize Oct. 4 through 10 as National 4-H Week in Ellis County through a proclamation.
In other business
- Ellis County Counselor Bill Jeter will ask commissioners to authorize a tax-foreclosure action involving nine properties with a combined $81,437 in delinquent taxes, penalties and interest.
- Deb Scheibler, executive director of Kansas WorkforceONE, will provide commissioners with an update about the organization.
- Commissioners will also consider a request from the Downtown Hays Development Group to install a holiday light display during the upcoming Christmas season.
To view the full agenda, click here.
The Ellis County Commission meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.