By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission will review and offer direction on the first draft of the 2026 county budget during its meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Darin Myers, county administrator, will lead the discussion on the draft budget.
A mill levy increase is not expected, though that could change depending on the options the commissioners consider in the coming months.
Big Creek Estates
The county commission will be asked to approve a resolution to advance the process of creating a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for the proposed Big Creek Estates development.
This is a procedural step and does not finalize the development's creation. Adam Pray of the Platinum Group and David Clingan of Grow Hays will speak at the meeting.
A certified copy will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Commerce if approved. If the secretary approves, the county can schedule a public hearing and further consider the district.
Discharge of fireworks
Myers will ask commissioners to decide whether to temporarily ease an existing resolution to allow the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county in 2025.
If approved, the recommended dates and times are to be set the same as those of the city of Hays. However, the city is also reviewing its fireworks ordinance, and no decision has been made yet.
In previous years, the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Ellis County was permitted from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from July 2 to July 4.
DSNWK budget requests
Commissioners will hear from DSNWK President Jerry Michaud about the 2026 fiscal year budget requests for three disability services organizations' programs.
The commission provided $250,000 in 2024 and 2025, and the organization is asking for the same amount.
Other business
Myers will ask that commissioners reappoint Eugene Rupp as County Appraiser for a new four-year term starting July 1. Rupp was appointed in December 2023 to finish the term of former appraiser Lisa Ree.
The commission will be notified of two upcoming vacancies on the Planning & Zoning and Library Boards due to members moving out of the county. Myers will announce the openings and invite interested residents to apply.
Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, will provide an update on ongoing projects and economic development initiatives across Ellis County.
Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham and Human Resources Manager Jennifer Taylor will request the commissioners approve a new job description for an assistant county attorney in training position.
You can view the full agenda here.