Ellis County Commission Summary
Week of August 19, 2026
Ellis County Landfill adjusts Saturday operating hours
Commission approves half-day winter hours for landfill
County explores road safety amid busing changes
Commissioners urge driver caution amid new school year
ACCESS Transportation Task Force eyes mid-October deadline for new plan
Commissioner highlights need to evaluate housing incentives
Jail returns to capacity as EMS call volumes remain high
Ellis County Landfill adjusts Saturday operating hours
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Commission unanimously approved changing the Ellis County Landfill's Saturday operating hours to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., matching the facility's weekday opening time. Environmental Services Director Justin Craig noted that the vast majority of waste is dropped off in the mornings, and the adjustment will improve efficiency and streamline staff schedules without reducing service quality. The new hours will take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Commission approves half-day winter hours for landfill
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — In a separate unanimous vote, commissioners established new Saturday winter hours for the Ellis County Landfill. Effective the first Saturday in November 2026, the facility will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through the last Saturday in February. Commissioners agreed the reduced hours align with a natural drop in traffic following the City of Hays Annual Fall Cleanup, scheduled this year for Oct. 19.
County explores road safety amid busing changes
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Concerns were raised about increased foot traffic and the impact of recent school busing changes along the Canterbury Drive corridor south of the Hays Recreation Commission, specifically from the recreation commission south toward the railroad and Old Highway 40. The commission noted the county needs to actively collaborate with Hays USD 489 and the city of Hays to implement safety improvements, and requested adding the issue to an upcoming work session.
Commissioners urge driver caution amid new school year
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — With the start of the new school year and adjustments to local busing routes, county commissioners are urging Hays drivers to be extra cautious. The commission specifically warned motorists to watch for children riding motorized scooters, noting that the combination of fast-moving scooters and altered school transit routes requires heightened community awareness to prevent accidents.
ACCESS Transportation Task Force eyes mid-October deadline for new plan
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The ACCESS Transportation Task Force working to improve local transit options in Hays is aiming to have a formal plan in place by mid-October. Task force representatives announced the tentative goal ahead of the group's second meeting, noting that decisions must be made quickly to finalize a viable transportation system moving forward.
Commissioner highlights need to evaluate housing incentives
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Following the Hays City Commission's recent approval of multiple Rural Housing Incentive Districts, Ellis County Commissioner Michael Berges reported ongoing public interest and questions regarding the incentives. Berges, who previously championed removing restrictions on the policy as a city commissioner, emphasized the importance of continuing to weigh the community impacts and benefits of such economic development tools as the county navigates future growth and downtown revitalization.
Jail returns to capacity as EMS call volumes remain high
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — During the monthly departmental report, the commission noted ongoing challenges at the Ellis County Jail, which has returned to and exceeded capacity, requiring some inmates to be housed out of county. Meanwhile, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) continues to experience heavy run volumes. Commissioner Nathan Leiker reported that EMS is averaging more than 10 calls per day. Despite the heavy workload, officials noted that EMS responses remain timely.
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