Hays local news summary

Commission awards $4 million bid for Exit 161 infrastructure

New ‘Smoky Hill Plains’ subdivision approved west of Columbine Drive

Drainage concerns addressed for new housing development

Major capital projects move forward: airport and police station

Signal upgrades and battery backups installed at key intersections

Multi-use path network expands near HaysMed and Sternberg Museum

Ellis County eyes $10.7 million bond for major facility upgrades

Bond plan aims to clear $4.9 million in future capital projects

Bond interest rates fall, potentially saving county thousands

County opts for mixed project management to control costs

Law Enforcement Center slated for $2.98 million renovation

County to replace failing $3.2 million courthouse HVAC system

Commission to replace leaking fan coil units in admin building

New combined EMS and fire station proposed for Ellis

Volunteer labor to help build new $250,000 fire storage facility

Transfer station expansion to be paid with cash, removed from bond

Commission awards $4 million bid for Exit 161 infrastructure

HAYS, Kan. - The city commission unanimously approved a bid from Smoky Hills, LLC to extend infrastructure to city-owned property north of Interstate 70 at Exit 161. The project, valued at $4.06 million with an additional 5 percent contingency, will install water and sewer extensions, street improvements and internal infrastructure to make the area viable for future development. Project Manager Tom Howie noted that the project came in roughly $700,000 under budget and is partially funded by a state economic development grant and general obligation bonds. Commissioners praised the project as a forward-thinking move to encourage housing and commercial growth, noting that developers are unlikely to build without existing utilities.

New ‘Smoky Hill Plains’ subdivision approved west of Columbine Drive

HAYS, Kan. - Commissioners approved the final plat for the Smoky Hill Plains Addition, a new residential development located west of Columbine Drive and north of 27th Street. The subdivision will feature lots ranging from one-quarter to one-third of an acre. Public Works Director Jesse Rohr explained that while the land was previously platted in 2013 as the DK Ranch Addition, it never developed. The new plat provides access points on Oakmont and 30th Street, with potential future connectivity to 33rd Street.

Drainage concerns addressed for new housing development

HAYS, Kan. - Following meetings between city staff, developers and residents, the city addressed stormwater concerns regarding the new Smoky Hill Plains subdivision. Public Works Director Jesse Rohr presented a drainage plan that includes a stream buffer on the eastern edge and a detention area at the southeast corner of the plat, south of 30th Street. Residents from the adjacent Columbine Drive neighborhood attended the meeting to express appreciation for the city’s transparency. “They pretty much settled all of our concerns,” said a Columbine Drive resident, noting that previous worries about water runoff had been alleviated by the proposed control measures.

Major capital projects move forward: airport and police station

HAYS, Kan. - Work has commenced on the Hays Regional Airport parking lot addition, with crews pouring concrete and replacing pipe under the main entry. Simultaneously, demolition at the site of the new police facility is well underway to prepare for new construction. Additionally, reconstruction work on the church driveway at 13th Street is nearing completion, with only small sections of sidewalk remaining to be replaced.

Signal upgrades and battery backups installed at key intersections

HAYS, Kan. - Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser reported that the service division has completed upgrades to traffic signals at Highway 40 and Canterbury Drive, allowing for protected permissive left turns for east and westbound traffic. Additionally, staff installed battery backup systems at the intersections of 22nd and Vine and 43rd and Vine to ensure signals remain functional during power outages. To combat winter weather, red LED snow cones were installed on signals at major intersections to prevent snow and ice buildup that can obscure LED lights.

Multi-use path network expands near HaysMed and Sternberg Museum

HAYS, Kan. - Construction has wrapped up on the HaysMed campus section of the city’s multi-use path, connecting The Grove to the existing path on 22nd Street. Work is currently underway on the section connecting the Sternberg Museum to the path at The Grove. During public comment, a local physician praised the commission for its foresight regarding the trail system, noting the health and safety benefits for residents and students, specifically mentioning the connectivity for the 41st Street addition.

Ellis County eyes $10.7 million bond for major facility upgrades

HAYS, Kan. - The Ellis County Commission reviewed a proposal Monday to issue a nearly $10.7 million bond to fund a slate of major upgrades to county facilities, including the Law Enforcement Center and the courthouse. County Administrator Darren Myers presented a plan that consolidates numerous projects, aiming to address critical infrastructure needs without raising property taxes. The commission signaled its intent to move forward, with financial advisors expected to present formal bond documents in December. Funding for the bond payments would rely on a combination of capital reserves, existing sales tax revenue and anticipated future payments in lieu of taxes from new energy projects.

Bond plan aims to clear $4.9 million in future capital projects

HAYS, Kan. - By bundling major construction needs into a single bond, Ellis County expects to address 20 of the 34 projects currently listed in its 10-year capital improvement plan. Administrator Darren Myers reported that the initiative would effectively eliminate $4.9 million in planned future spending, transforming a projected $3.1 million capital deficit over the next decade into a surplus. This would free up future capital funds for other essential maintenance, such as eventual roof replacements at the courthouse and other county buildings, without delaying necessary projects.

Bond interest rates fall, potentially saving county thousands

HAYS, Kan. - Favorable changes in the bond market could result in significant savings for Ellis County. Financial consultants initially projected an interest rate of 4.6 percent for a 20-year bond, but recent estimates have fallen to around 3.9 percent. This decrease could lower the county’s annual payment on a $10 million bond, making it easier to meet the goal of an approximate $750,000 yearly payment. The commission plans to finalize the bond amount in the coming months, with the sale expected to occur in March 2026, when rates could be even lower.

County opts for mixed project management to control costs

HAYS, Kan. - To maximize cost-effectiveness, Ellis County will use different management strategies for its upcoming construction projects. The complex, multi-phase renovation of the Law Enforcement Center will be handled through a design-build contract, where a single entity manages both design and construction. However, for simpler projects like the new Ellis Emergency Medical Services station and the fire storage building, the county plans to manage the process locally. This approach avoids higher design-build fees on straightforward metal building construction and allows for greater control over costs, according to county officials.

Law Enforcement Center slated for $2.98 million renovation

HAYS, Kan. - A comprehensive $2.98 million renovation of the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center is a cornerstone of the proposed county bond project. The plan calls for relocating the 911 dispatch center to a larger, more secure space in the basement, more than doubling its current size from 360 to 740 square feet. The move will also improve safety for dispatchers, who currently use an exterior stairwell. The space being vacated by the Hays Police Department next year will be converted into a new training room, restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and updated office space for the Sheriff's Office. The project also includes a critical $300,000 upgrade to the jail's end-of-life security and door control systems.

County to replace failing $3.2 million courthouse HVAC system

HAYS, Kan. - Ellis County plans to replace the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the courthouse, a project estimated to cost $3.2 million, after years of systemic failures. The current Variable Refrigerant Flow system, installed just 10 years ago as part of a previous bond project, has required $20,000 to $30,000 in annual repairs and fails to adequately heat the building in cold weather. Buildings and Grounds Director Greg Armbruster reported that four units were currently down. The commission is leaning toward replacing the VRF system with a more durable heat pump system, which is expected to have a 30- to 40-year lifespan compared to the 15-year life of a new VRF system.

Commission to replace leaking fan coil units in admin building

HAYS, Kan. - The Ellis County Administrative Center is set for a $1.7 million project to replace approximately 110 aging fan coil units responsible for heating and cooling the building. The current units, which date back to a 1984 remodel, frequently leak condensation, causing recurring damage to ceiling tiles and creating an uncomfortable environment for employees. The project aims to improve efficiency and resolve the persistent maintenance issues. Officials noted the final number of units replaced may be lower than 110, as some have been updated or are no longer in use.

New combined EMS and fire station proposed for Ellis

HAYS, Kan. - A new, modern facility to house Emergency Medical Services and fire services in Ellis is being planned to replace two aging and inadequate buildings. The current EMS station is so small that ambulance doors risk hitting the bay walls when opened, and the county does not own the land it sits on. The proposed project is estimated at $2.6 million and would create a combined station with drive-thru bays and proper living quarters. The final cost and scope remain uncertain, pending discussions with the City of Ellis about potentially adding two additional bays for their fire department and the challenge of securing a suitable plot of land.

Volunteer labor to help build new $250,000 fire storage facility

HAYS, Kan. - A new 40-by-100-foot fire storage and training building is planned for Ellis County’s Public Works property, with a reduced price tag of $250,000, down from an initial estimate of over $700,000. The cost savings are attributed to a plan for local project management and an offer from volunteer firefighters to provide the labor for finishing the building's interior. The insulated metal building will house specialized equipment, including a water supply trailer and a reserve fire engine, and will serve as a hub for future training props. The project will also free up a much-needed vehicle bay at the main Hays fire station.

Transfer station expansion to be paid with cash, removed from bond

HAYS, Kan. - An estimated $1.1 million expansion of the county transfer station will be removed from the proposed bond issue and instead be funded directly from the solid waste department's cash reserves. County officials determined the project, which includes a 1,600-square-foot addition for storing and mixing trash and a complete replacement of the damaged concrete floor, could be completed for approximately $250,000. Administrator Darren Myers said the project will be paid for out of the solid waste enterprise fund’s $1 million unencumbered cash balance, avoiding the need for bond financing for this specific item.

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