By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
Ellis County Commissioners will consider an update to the lease agreement for Rolling Plains Motorsports (RPM) Speedway during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning.
Commissioners are expected to take action on a request from current promoter Chris Sutton and WaKeeney speedway promoter Barrett Wagoner to amend the existing lease agreement for the dirt racetrack at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
According to documents, “Sutton is unsure if he will ask commissioners if he will continue to request to renew his lease after 2026.”
The lease has been revised to reflect the addition of a second promoter, recognizing that the racetrack will be operated jointly by both promoters.
If Sutton chooses not to pursue a new lease agreement, Ellis County might need to seek a new promoter to operate RPM Speedway beginning in 2027.
Additionally, this lease does not guarantee that Sutton or Wagoner will be permitted to operate the speedway next year.
Care Council funding recommendations
The Ellis County Care Council will present its recommendations for 2027 funding allocations.
The county's policy caps funding for outside organizations at three-tenths of a mill.
The proposed allocation of $162,125 was included in the preliminary budget presented to Commissioners on June 2.
Any disbursement of these funds would be contingent upon approval through the 2027 budget process, which is expected to conclude in September. If approved, the funds would not be available for distribution until January 2027.
The Care Council is also recommending the county's alcohol and drug program funds be split evenly between Dream Inc. and the Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency, with each organization receiving $4,270 in total.
Library board bond coverage
Commissioners are expected to vote on a request from the Ellis County Library Board to obtain an $80,000 bond covering the board president and treasurer.
State law requires the library board treasurer to be bonded. The library board recently approved the coverage amount, which reflects the full amount of taxes levied for library operations.
County valuation update
Eugene Rupp, Ellis County appraiser, will present updated 2026 assessed valuation figures to commissioners.
Assessed values include real estate, oil and gas, and personal property.
According to county documents, real estate valuations increased while oil and personal property valuations declined. Officials said lower oil prices and recent state legislation exempting certain personal property contributed to the decreases.
As a whole, the assessed valuation for Ellis County increased by 0.1% for 2026 from November of last year.
Other business
- Commissioners will consider a request for a conditional-use permit for outdoor storage, presented by Justin Craig, environmental services director. The request would allow the property in Munjor to be used for outdoor storage. The Ellis County Planning and Zoning committee has already approved the request.
- Commissioners will also consider the annual destruction of election ballots and appoint representatives from both major political parties to oversee the process.