By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved a reinvestment housing incentive district for Big Creek Estates Third Addition during its Tuesday meeting.
A public hearing provided the community with an opportunity to provide input. The project includes road improvements on Reservation Road with no financial impact to the county.
Resident Larry Dinkel, who lives in the area, said he spoke with neighbors and submitted 25 protest petitions.
"A lot of the concerns in our area is water. We are all on private water wells. We're worried about what the water status is like in that aquifer and what contamination could happen to the wells," he said.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker said the county cannot promise a future water supply but emphasized it is in neither the county’s nor the city’s interest for homes to lose value.
"That's a bridge that has to be crossed if it ever comes up. It does us no good to make your home worth nothing, and a home without water is worth nothing," Leiker said.
Dinkel raised concerns about recent increases in sewer fees and the possibility of additional homes to drive the cost even higher. He also expressed concern about the poor condition of the roads.
Duane Kuhn, president of the Big Creek Improvement District, said the sewer system can handle current demand, but additional homes might require an additional pump. He said efforts to negotiate lower sewer rates with the city were unsuccessful. Commissioner Michael Berges said sewage rates have increased even without the addition of new homes.
Another resident raised concerns about stormwater runoff and potential flooding. Developer Adam Pray said a retention pond on the south end of the addition would address the issue.
Berges said homeowners will continue to pay their full property tax bill. Pray will cover project costs upfront and be reimbursed through the new property taxes generated by the district’s homes.
Tax foreclosure sale
Commissioners approved a resolution to authorize Bill Jeter, county counselor, to initiate foreclosure proceedings on properties with delinquent real estate taxes.
A list provided by the county treasury includes 15 properties with a combined total of $44,394 in taxes, penalties and interest owed. Each property is at least three years delinquent.
City of Gorham road repair request
The city of Gorham did not receive the commission's approval for the county public works department to assist with a road rehabilitation project.
The commission said performing work outside the county would be considered commercial and not appropriate.
"We've done work as a county for other cities, and it got to the point now that they're asking for help all the time. ... County lines is where I draw the line," Berges said.
Other business
Commissioners approved a new contract with County Counselor Jeter, effective Jan. 1. The agreement increases Jeter's monthly retainer from $5,500 to $6,000. The commission initiated the change and is already included in the 2026 budget.
County EMS received approval to accept bids from R Enterprise for the remounting of two ambulances. EMS also received approval to buy two stretchers and two loading systems for installation in the ambulances.
Commissioners appointed Dylan Bryant as the new member to the Ellis County Library Board to fill a vacancy effective Oct. 1. The appointment will run until April 30.