Ellis County Commission Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
County commission cuts $860,000 from proposed 2027 budget
Commissioners debate tax incentives for Lincoln School redevelopment
County attorney seeks to reinstate victim witness coordinator
County officials update Ellis City Council on joint EMS building
County considers reducing winter landfill hours
County commission cuts $860,000 from proposed 2027 budget
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Commission trimmed $860,000 from its proposed 2027 property tax request following two days of intensive budget workshops with department heads. County Administrator Darin Myers praised the commission's efforts to right-size the budget ahead of final approvals in August. Commissioners cautioned that while the initial cuts were successful, further reductions would require "gambling" on unpredictable variables, such as a potential 7 percent increase in employee health insurance premiums or fluctuating local sales tax revenues.
Commissioners debate tax incentives for Lincoln School redevelopment
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Prompted by an upcoming Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for the Lincoln School project in Hays, the commission debated the long-term impacts of tax abatements on county services. Commissioners questioned whether vertical infrastructure in well-established neighborhoods requires the same incentives as vacant lots needing new roads. While acknowledging the city and county are delaying an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million in combined property tax revenue by 2030 across 10 active projects, commissioners argued the incentives remain a necessary tool to spur local investment and housing development that otherwise might stall.
County attorney seeks to reinstate victim witness coordinator
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham proposed reinstating the office's victim witness coordinator for the 2027 budget, reversing a cut made last year to save money. He noted that recent increases in victim-centric cases and last-minute bond modification hearings require a dedicated staff member to fulfill state statutes mandating swift victim notification. The plan includes training legal assistant Lori Dryling for the remainder of 2026 before officially promoting her to the coordinator role next year.
County officials update Ellis City Council on joint EMS building
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — County Administrator Darin Myers and the commissioners attended a recent Ellis City Council meeting to discuss the ongoing joint Emergency Medical Services and fire building bond project located in the city of Ellis. Commissioners reported that the collaborative dialogue went well, allowing both entities to clarify the project's scope and address local concerns regarding emergency services infrastructure in the western part of the county.
County considers reducing winter landfill hours
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Environmental Services Director Justin Craig proposed reducing Saturday hours at the Ellis County Landfill during the winter months due to a significant decrease in traffic and safety concerns stemming from minimal staffing. Options presented include closing entirely on Saturdays from December through March or reducing hours to 8 a.m. to noon from November through March. Commissioners opted to table the issue until next month to gather public feedback from weekend users and contractors before making a final decision.
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