By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission agreed to increase High Plains Mental Health Center's county funding by $75,000 for its Crisis Intervention Center at its meeting on Tuesday.
The commission heard an update on the second draft of the 2026 budget and tentatively agreed to increase the mill levy by one mill. However, the full budget has yet to be approved.
High Plains Mental Health's request of about $378,603, a significant increase from last year's $299,975 request, was tentatively approved by the commission.
Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said the Ellis County Jail is not best equipped to handle individuals who have mental health issues. The new facility will offer an option for treatment versus incarceration.
"It will not only help at the sheriff's office, but it will help the Hays Police Department, Ellis Police Department, Victoria Police Department, as well as our surrounding counties," Braun said.
Commissioner Neal Younger said the increase being requested is less expensive than building a new jail.
Ellis County Historical Society
Commissioners said the Ellis County Historical Society's funding will remain the same as their 2025 request, at $100,000, rather than the $140,000 that the agency had initially requested. The commissioners said the historical society has done a good job of maintaining itself and raising funds.
ACCESS Transportation
ACCESS Transportation's funding request of about $111,000 is pending as the commission members said further talks are needed with the city of Hays, which also contributes to funding ACCESS.
The program has lost state funding and is requesting a more than $60,000 increase from the county to cover its funding gap for one year.
ACCESS offers public transportation primarily to low-income, elderly and disabled individuals.
SEE RELATED STORY: ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall
Other discussed items for the 2026 budget
The commissioners said they would revisit the increase during next year's budget discussion. The commission already approved a cost-of-living adjustment for county employees.
Commissioners also said they are interested in providing funding to Roosevelt Elementary School's AmeriTowne civics program. Commissioner Nathan Leikr said if there is some contingency left over, a $500 donation could be made.
Darin Myers, county administrator, said five Ellis County court-appointed attorneys are requesting a higher pay rate of about $120 per hour. He said more discussions are planned for early August.
Myers also proposed adding three EMS positions to address increased call volume. He suggested they be funded with health sales tax and EMS service revenues.
The commission acknowledged the hard work of volunteers at the Ellis County Fairgrounds and discussed a facilities maintenance position to take care of the 80 acres of property.
Mill levy increased and notice to exceed revenue-neutral rate
Myers discussed with the commission increasing the mill levy to cover outside agency funding, insurance premiums, bond payments and a future 12-hour shift change for the sheriff's office.
Hays resident Ken Kennedy urged caution on raising taxes on residents already burdened by federal, state and local taxes.
The commission also raised economic concerns over agriculture and oil valuations being down. Commissioners Nathan Leiker and Michael Berges said they are in favor of increasing the mill levy by one mill.
"I would make the consideration and exceed the revenue-neutral rate with the caveat that we do our best to maintain what we can and be respectful of tax dollars," Leiker said.
The budget will not be final until the end of August when the budget is published and approved, Myers said.
The commission moved to approve sending a notice to the county clerk of its intention to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2026 budget year.
This notice does not obligate the commission to exceed the revenue-neutral rate but preserves the legal option to do so as final budget decisions are made.
A revenue-neutral public hearing has been set for Sept. 9.
Other business
The Ellis County Fire Department displayed two new fire engines after the meeting. These engines were approved for purchase in December 2023.
Myers received approval to update a rental contract for the Schenk and Unrein Buildings at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation requested a change to the indemnity clause limiting their responsibility to injuries or damages only caused by their group or contractors.
The commission approved a bid of about $36,200 from JDR Painting Services to repaint the jail cells and kitchen ceiling at the Ellis County Jail.
The commission approved revised job descriptions as part of the previously approved restructuring of the Public Works Department.