Ellis County Commission Summary
Week of June 17, 2026
Real estate appraisals climb 3.2 percent as total county valuation remains flat
Plunging oil prices and new state law impact county oil valuations
New state exemptions drive 11 percent drop in personal property valuations
Commission hears Care Council recommendations for social service grants
Commission approves revised RPM Speedway lease for 2026 season
Commission approves conditional use permit for outdoor storage facility
Recent landfill tire collection event deemed a success
Real estate appraisals climb 3.2 percent as total county valuation remains flat
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Ellis County Appraiser Eugene Rupp reported that total assessed property valuations for 2026 will remain largely flat, seeing only a 0.1 percent increase overall despite a notable jump in real estate values. Real estate assessed values increased by $14 million, or 3.2 percent, driven by stable market conditions and new construction, which accounted for roughly 1 percent of the growth. However, Rupp noted that significant declines in oil and personal property valuations offset the real estate gains, meaning rural townships will see stagnant total valuations while incorporated cities like Hays and Victoria will bear the brunt of the real estate increases.
Plunging oil prices and new state law impact county oil valuations
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Assessed valuation for Ellis County's oil production plummeted by 30 percent for the 2026 tax year, primarily driven by a 23 percent drop in the state-determined price per barrel of oil, which fell from $62 to $48. Appraiser Eugene Rupp also highlighted a new state law, House Bill 2440, taking effect July 1, which will streamline tax exemptions for low-production wells yielding fewer than five barrels a day. The new legislation allows the county appraiser to grant these exemptions directly rather than forcing operators to undergo a lengthy and costly appeals process through the state Board of Tax Appeals, which Rupp said currently ties up roughly $8.1 million in county assessed valuation.
New state exemptions drive 11 percent drop in personal property valuations
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — A recent change in Kansas tax law exempting certain recreational vehicles has resulted in an 11 percent drop in Ellis County's personal property valuations. Appraiser Eugene Rupp informed the commission that the mandated removal of boats, golf carts, utility terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and personal trailers from the tax rolls stripped approximately $1.2 million in assessed value from the county's books. Rupp noted that this legislative change was a primary factor in keeping the county's overall assessed valuation from rising significantly for the upcoming tax year.
Commission hears Care Council recommendations for social service grants
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Care Council, a 12-member volunteer advisory board housed under the United Way, presented its 2026 funding recommendations for local social service agencies. Council Chair Hali Bielser detailed grant allocations targeting specific programs rather than general operating costs, including $39,565 for the Hays Senior Center meal site, $30,000 for the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging and $10,000 for the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center. The council also recommended splitting the county's alcohol tax funds evenly between Dream Inc., a local substance abuse and addiction treatment facility, and the Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency, with each organization receiving $4,270 to support local intervention programs.
Commission approves revised RPM Speedway lease for 2026 season
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — To ensure continuous insurance coverage for upcoming community events, the Ellis County Commission unanimously approved adding WaKeeney speedway promoter Barrett Wagoner to the current Rolling Plains Motorsports (RPM) Speedway lease agreement. Chris Sutton, the speedway's current promoter, requested the change to allow Wagoner to assist with operations for the remainder of the 2026 season, which includes highly attended events like the county fair races and the Fall Nationals, as Sutton remains unsure if he will seek to renew his lease in 2027. County Counselor Bill Jeter noted the addendum prevents a potential lapse in event insurance, ensuring the local track can seamlessly continue its scheduled operations for the rest of the year.
Commission approves conditional use permit for outdoor storage facility
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Following a unanimous recommendation from the Joint Planning Commission, the Ellis County Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing local applicant Brock Holzmeister to operate an outdoor storage facility on a rural 10.2-acre parcel located in the Munjor Tracts. Joint Planning Commission Chair David McDaniel reported that a public hearing was held on May 27 with no significant issues raised and no formal protests filed during the statutory 14-day protest period. Environmental Services Director Justin Craig confirmed the site design resolved minor flood plain questions, allowing the commission to finalize the permit without issuing additional stipulations.
Recent landfill tire collection event deemed a success
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — During the commissioner report period, the success of a recent tire amnesty collection event held over the June 13-14 weekend at the Ellis County Landfill was highlighted. The public works initiative was praised for preventing residents from illegally dumping old tires in county ditches, which ultimately costs the county time and taxpayer resources to clean up. The public works road and bridge crews were also publicly thanked for utilizing their scheduled days off to grade and repair county roads.
Click here for local obituaries
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
