Hays local news summary
Week of January 23, 2026
Hays secures $11 million in federal funding for R9 water project
City awaits Supreme Court ruling on water transfer
R9 pipeline design complete; eminent domain possible for holdouts
Abandoned wells plugged to protect aquifer
Public access to R9 Ranch sees heavy use
Operating expenses finish $456,000 under budget for 2025
Police station construction on schedule for fall completion
Hays named 'Community of the Year'
Grow Hays reports record construction and housing activity
Medical manufacturer to add 140 jobs in Hays
Solar farm agreement tabled for legal review
Commission denies landfill fee waiver for FHSU
County approves purchase of 10,000 tons of asphalt
Sheriff's office migrates to cloud-based records system
911 dispatch center to replace voice recorders
Grant funds new gear for firefighters
Hays secures $11 million in federal funding for R9 water project
HAYS, Kan. — City officials announced Thursday that U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran has secured approximately $11 million in congressional delegated spending to assist with the R9 Ranch water transfer project. During an update on the long-term water source initiative, R9 Project Manager John Braun told the city commission that the federal funding was included in the most recent appropriations bill, noting that the neighboring city of Russell will also receive $1 million for its portion of the shared infrastructure. The funds do not require further federal appropriation and will be used to offset costs for the 70-mile pipeline and wellfield development.
City awaits Supreme Court ruling on water transfer
HAYS, Kan. — The city of Hays is awaiting a ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court regarding the R9 Ranch water transfer, a decision that stands as one of the final hurdles for the project. City Manager Toby Dougherty reported that oral arguments were heard on Dec. 15, 2025, regarding the challenge to the water rights conversion, noting that the city and the Division of Water Resources prevailed in district court and expressing confidence in the recent Supreme Court proceedings. Once a ruling is issued, the Water Transfer Hearing Panel is expected to hold a final hearing to approve the project.
R9 pipeline design complete; eminent domain possible for holdouts
HAYS, Kan. — Design for the R9 wellfield and the 70-mile raw water transmission line is 100 percent complete, according to R9 Project Manager John Braun. While the city has successfully acquired easements for 115 of the 130 necessary tracts of land, 15 tracts remain unsecured in Edwards, Pawnee and Rush counties. Braun indicated that while negotiations continue, the city may need to file condemnation petitions to clear title issues or settle valuations for the remaining properties, with construction tentatively projected to begin in spring 2027 pending final legal approvals.
Abandoned wells plugged to protect aquifer
HAYS, Kan. — City crews have plugged 15 abandoned stock and facility wells at the R9 Ranch to prevent contamination of the underlying aquifer. R9 Property Manager Chris Smith stated that the wells acted as direct conduits to the groundwater and posed a potential threat to the water supply. The city initially sought cost-share assistance from the Edwards County Conservation District but proceeded with the project using city funds after the assistance was denied following a nine-month delay, sealing the wells according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment specifications.
Public access to R9 Ranch sees heavy use
EDWARDS COUNTY, Kan. — The public access initiative at the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, a Walk-In Hunting Access program, recorded 1,006 entries between November and mid-January. R9 Property Manager Chris Smith reported that hunters from across the country, including visitors from Alaska, Florida and Vermont, utilized the property during deer and bird seasons. Smith noted that despite the high traffic, there were no incidents of vandalism or property damage, and the influx of visitors is believed to be contributing to a spike in sales tax revenue for Edwards County.
Operating expenses finish $456,000 under budget for 2025
HAYS, Kan. — The city of Hays ended the 2025 fiscal year with general fund operating expenditures coming in $456,000 under budget. During a review of the December 2025 financial statement, Finance Director Kim Rupp attributed the savings to cautious spending by department heads and staffing shortages, particularly within the fire department. While general fund sales tax collections finished the year up 1 percent over 2024, commissioners noted that this growth lagged behind the 3 percent inflation rate, necessitating conservative budgeting for the upcoming year.
Police station construction on schedule for fall completion
HAYS, Kan. — Construction on the new Hays Police Station is progressing on schedule, with a completion date targeted for September 2026. Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser reported that footers and the slab for the new addition have been poured, and basement framing is nearing completion. Plumbing and electrical installations are currently underway at the facility, which is being retrofitted from a former Astra Bank building to serve as the new law enforcement headquarters.
Hays named 'Community of the Year'
HAYS, Kan. — The city of Hays has been designated as the "Community of the Year" by Community Playmaker, a national media platform focused on civic leadership. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Melissa Dixon announced the award, noting that Hays was selected from a field of 100 municipalities. The organization cited the city's ability to balance infrastructure growth with environmental stewardship, specifically highlighting leadership in water conservation and the creation of inclusive environments for residents from childhood through retirement.
Grow Hays reports record construction and housing activity
Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams highlighted a surge in commercial and residential projects throughout 2025 during an annual update to the Ellis County Commission. Williams noted the completion of major facilities, including the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center, the new high school and the Link facility in the former Path Lab building. He also reported progress on housing developments, such as the Tallgrass addition and The Grove, while acknowledging that despite the issuance of 16 single-family and 48 multi-family permits, the community still needs to increase construction to meet demand.
Agiliti to add 140 jobs in Hays
As part of the economic development report, Williams announced a significant expansion by Agiliti, noting the company committed to staying in Hays rather than relocating to North Carolina. The medical manufacturer plans to retain 91 existing positions and add 140 new jobs over the next four years through a $6.5 million investment to connect and expand its facilities. Local officials, Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University facilitated the move to ensure workforce and testing support for the company.
Solar farm agreement tabled for legal review
The commission tabled a decision regarding consulting and legal service agreements for the proposed Tallgrass Solar Project until the Feb. 3 meeting. County Administrator Darin Myers advised the delay, noting that the county is still waiting for an updated agreement from the developer, ibV Energy Partners. The postponement will allow the county's legal team and commissioners sufficient time to review the final terms once they are received.
Commission denies landfill fee waiver for FHSU
The commission declined a request from Fort Hays State University to waive disposal fees for tree branches at the county landfill. University representatives argued they had not been charged in previous years, but Environmental Services Director Justin Craig clarified that recent "secure load" policies now require all vehicles to cross the scales, exposing the university's commercial status. The commission determined that granting a waiver would set a difficult precedent for other non-profits and churches, affirming that only residential customers within the city of Hays are exempt due to city utility billing agreements.
County approves purchase of 10,000 tons of asphalt
The commission voted unanimously to approve a contract with APAC-Kansas, Inc. to mix approximately 10,000 tons of cold mix asphalt for upcoming road repairs. Ellis County Public Works Director Brendan Mackay explained that the material will support the county's 12-mile-per-year maintenance plan, including specific work on FAS 700 (Golf Course Road), located east of Victoria. Mackay also clarified that recent "double seal" treatments on county roads are structurally sound alternatives to full asphalt overlays, utilizing a milled base for stability.
Sheriff's office migrates to cloud-based records system
The commission approved a $348,076 agreement with Tyler Technologies to transition the county's public safety software to a cloud-based system and merge the jail management software into a unified platform. Sheriff Scott Braun explained that the current legacy system creates duplicate files for inmates and lacks sufficient support. The new agreement, which consolidates dispatch and jail records, aims to improve data accuracy between agencies and eliminate the need for the county to replace aging servers estimated to cost over $200,000.
911 dispatch center to replace voice recorders
To address technical failures and aging infrastructure, the commission authorized the $59,347 purchase of an Eventide NextLog voice recording system from Nelson Systems Inc. Communications Director Jeff Ridgeway reported that the current system, in place since 2021, has suffered from water damage and poor vendor support. The new system will record both radio traffic and 911 dispatch screens, allowing supervisors to better troubleshoot technical issues and utilize AI-driven quality assurance reviews in the future.
Grant funds new gear for firefighters
The commission approved the purchase of structural firefighting gear utilizing a Federal Emergency Management Agency SAFER grant. The grant will reimburse the county approximately $3,700 per firefighter for gear and $500 toward comprehensive physical exams for 10 eligible firefighters. County Administrator Darin Myers noted that this funding allows the Ellis County Fire Department to catch up on equipment replacement cycles that had fallen behind due to a 50 percent increase in gear costs and a growing roster of over 100 volunteers.
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