[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653064,"mediaKeyId","2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f","parentId",2485917,"title","Northwest Homeland Security approves new hauler and UTV placement; Ellis County set to house regional assets","audioSeconds",868,"startMs",3027000,"endMs",3895000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f&start=3027&end=3895","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f/thumbnail_3027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653064/Ellis-County/Kansas/Northwest-Homeland-Security-approves-new-hauler-and-UTV-placement-Ellis-County-set-to-house-regional-assets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653064-52a596da9f2cb70a1abedd6f00cdf135/orig.mp4?Expires=1775879745&Signature=TIWkTC6mP5NZM~KXfhkzzh3-Y5JfkmtpODd7uJEnfzhVZ0bZqMacpNyKB~IydY18ff38MLP7OD5lewB2S9o9G0fan0f3nkLwUyz7w16GhyO4kRirBPQPZpwBv67Xd1KIl~ZkM2wFNcXDIlW88s2TNyBctYk-UGglotJyhWH91Zh3pc3jn9mNIEG3zTZ~bgZV~Im3yZnGDAWh7FHryanorV1v5FogCirXhDG2ELge35Xd4HCegqS0stSehTmTCU~VcWPiBTYHN4m3tQI55Ypn3N5stzENXsHkgjhoDjAVs-yujK3YLceKCi7drfGBX1bAT2Sup1bcsfxwSN0r2AdvuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ellis County, KS","date","2025-03-04T16:34:21.273Z","article","Ellis County emergency‑management staff briefed commissioners on multiple Northwest Homeland Security projects the region recently approved. The regional council authorized funding for a prime hauler to accompany the county's water‑supply trailer and approved placement of a new UTV in Ellis County as a Northwest regional asset.

Assistant Emergency Manager (and fire/emergency staff) Lau Pantle told commissioners the county’s 3,500‑gallon water‑supply trailer has been used on local incidents and that the crowning improvement would be a purpose‑built prime hauler equipped with a pullout tray, lighting, PA and other field equipment. Pantle said the current vehicle used for the trailer is a 2008 Chevy 3500 previously owned by Hays Fire, and that once the new truck arrives the older vehicle would be reassigned to Company 8 in Rooks County for use there as a brush/response vehicle.

The Homeland Security Council also approved placing a new Polaris Ranger Northstar XP 1000 crew UTV in Ellis County. Pantle said the UTV will be equipped with a firefighting/EMS skid unit, lights, an 800‑MHz radio programmed with the state template and a trailer for transport. The county will retain a forestry‑service‑donated UTV for local needs and keep the older John Deere Gator units in rotation or reassign them regionally rather than selling them.

Pantle said the regional funding process is administered through the Kansas Highway Patrol and the state’s regional councils; projects must meet federal/state criteria and are often procured through state contracts or regional project managers. He described the county’s responsibilities under the transfer agreement: Ellis County will house and maintain the equipment, insure it and obtain Homeland Security approval before disposing of any regional asset.

\"We currently house that at Ellis County, and we've been trying since the completion of that project to get a prime hauler for it,\" Pantle told commissioners. \"The Homeland Security Council has approved the placement of a new UTV in Ellis County, and the old one has been approved to go up to Rooks County.\"

Commissioners were briefed on deployment mechanics: assets are available regionally through mutual aid and state deployment processes (CRMCS) and can be sent to other counties during large incidents; reimbursement may be available for certain deployments. Staff said some items—like radios and templates—are procured under state contracts and counties have limited ability to select specific models outside those processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ellis County, KS Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Ellis County emergency management updated commissioners on Northwest Homeland Security approvals to purchase a prime hauler for the county's water‑supply trailer and to place a new UTV in Ellis County; the county will retain existing equipment and redistribute older units to neighboring counties as regional assets.","taxTitle","Ellis County, Kansas","taxId",52148,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653069,"Ellis County appraiser requests short extension to valuation‑notice mailing; commissioners accept update",71,405000,476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f&start=405&end=476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f/thumbnail_405000.jpg","/articles/6653069/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-appraiser-requests-short-extension-to-valuationnotice-mailing-commissioners-accept-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653069-4f3e511f7460513f75450912c031b981/orig.mp4?Expires=1775879745&Signature=me6QGGujEToLr4W20tE5EUJ~K6JqXZ16QwDXSA1ybBKy5sYQ6p7Sprb4RoOWTEPRMbYQZGtKWWIv7ZG6ii8UI3Qf1iDWT6w3cYzE-ciz4JUyCnvqBf7EbLfPysIPauudPVlakW9EyLljKWos~ysrXfr2ocGkkRX6f9dxNGXl7RTapXpqy44PwuwKwqNZyQI7gH4ELY1xSQXhslMEho4dRCyQylLYXJJhVNLaNzmDGE54i0JHTMAJG~js1rUTXQTaUC-ZdCs4faG9cbK4R1kvB-cUbE40IKfjV130EPQZKnDK9ANtomW6F19nenfbPo2JXiaIbdUqAgmITa1L4qTPmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eugene Rupp, Ellis County appraiser, told the commission his office requested a state extension to mail valuation notices, moving the deadline from March 1 to March 17.

Rupp said the office lost staff early in the year and has since hired replacements, but that training new employees takes time. He also reported personal mobility issues that affected his ability to complete work on the original schedule.

\"I'm very hopeful we will meet that, March 17 extension deadline,\" Rupp said, while noting he would not entirely rule out asking for a second extension if circumstances required it.

Commissioners accepted the update and offered well wishes. No formal action was required; the appraisal office will proceed under the approved state extension timeline and return to the commission if additional changes are necessary.","Ellis County Appraiser Eugene Rupp told commissioners the office requested a state extension to move valuation‑notice mailings from March 1 to March 17 because of recent staffing changes and the appraiser's temporary mobility issues; he said he expected to meet the extended date but did not rule out another extension.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653074,"Commissioners ask staff to explore options for tracked excavator purchase, delay decision",1110,1678000,2788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f&start=1678&end=2788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f/thumbnail_1678000.jpg","/articles/6653074/Ellis-County/Kansas/Commissioners-ask-staff-to-explore-options-for-tracked-excavator-purchase-delay-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653074-125f82264490909cae2d2f166e380af6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775879745&Signature=SWhsPQ3OBpBKkPRaQlb9L9dAZoBPHwXWoD0IP1YU4os1rPWAOL5i1lqzYcokJ9SMkm6EWpeDxVrfYIWTbeC4GfVmYmM5yIjihx4svb75G~TYyf4p29WcqsB3z4kjG3Ch~YPrNsA~ZioBGgk9XrfSQSyfnodPa47l3SUB1Fr0k9QwPjpyFmB1iHyHfdfjIbXj7OkaA-fxqWE7M-p4VVY2fkKTUCkTvN9HJGk06hFTjAlzoXjg~DMdB1X89M4KSbEyBBkFVeSjgUONE5GfU5-EhDat~gZkBMVodEHZKUe3DB8Yi7Q6hMGyY6sM7hsMwxiaia~~qf~s94dCZRuWPHwxpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners declined to immediately approve a proposed purchase of a tracked excavator and instead instructed staff to explore alternative options and return with additional information.

Public‑works staff presented a request to combine funds from Road & Bridge and Noxious Weed divisions to buy a full‑size tracked excavator. Staff said owning a tracked machine would reduce recurring rental costs, speed repair projects and improve capability for tasks such as channel cleaning, culvert installation and flood‑debris removal.

Staff explained the dealer had offered a 2021 rental‑fleet machine with a multi‑year extended warranty for about $218,000; that price exceeded the commission’s budgeted $185,000. Commissioners expressed concern about paying extra primarily for a warranty, asked for options for older machines with higher hours, and sought clarity on anticipated annual hours and total cost of ownership.

Commissioners asked staff to solicit quotes for alternatives (for example, a pre‑2016 machine with up to ~3,000 hours, and versions with and without extended warranties) and to return to the commission with those options at the next meeting. One commissioner suggested $185,000 as an upper budget target; commissioners authorized staff to explore both new and used options and report back. No purchase order was approved at the meeting.","After staff proposed buying a tracked excavator to replace frequent rentals, commissioners asked staff to return with additional options (older machines, warranty/no‑warranty scenarios, and price targets) and tabled a purchase pending further information.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653079,"Ellis County approves road improvement contracts for 40 Eighth Street, Vineyard and Commerce corridors",1204,484000,1688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f&start=484&end=1688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f/thumbnail_484000.jpg","/articles/6653079/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-approves-road-improvement-contracts-for-40-Eighth-Street-Vineyard-and-Commerce-corridors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653079-aab528531fb1faefded735fef25c2e84/orig.mp4?Expires=1775879745&Signature=CUxbf6gp8R9iooVtefvjhxEpZYsq5kbALb50fSBgCwfH9WFF-IEKwXYNFHufOZ0jvMCUPx6VtDTmFHxivjvDDoH~zIWm1aasiOkdln1kr3LJs40sfG7A6B6rCic~H1o8h5ZuGuNKag~rMmOIZz~uT46SoAdraToLiE5x8UjAVuSLkiamXnzK~x5ucQbfuGBDf9R8TChVSo64TAo3iSW~rhcJXAuTq1AANyq~Qv~QUgdjiSkD0PxlWXrSgsjwNIpXVCXONFXl1GvfbZzg00PscdJQQkXAOl7q4OWGKGQzL0hQ0kzyNBFAjr~IAgIF-lD-9TiN4Sa476pbc5jVAmMkSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellis County commissioners voted unanimously to award road‑work contracts and purchase cold‑mix asphalt during the meeting.

County public‑works staff presented two projects—improvements to 40 Eighth Street and to the Vineyard/Commerce (200th and 270th) corridor—and said prior budgeting had set aside $1,150,000 for the county share of both efforts. After receiving committed contributions from the City of Hays, staff said available county funds would cover both projects with an out‑of‑pocket of just over $900,000 for county work. Staff told commissioners culvert replacement, right‑of‑way shaping and prime seal costs would be funded from the county capital fund (Fund 78) and that aggregate material and some operating costs would come from operating budgets.

Brendan McKay, county public‑works director, said the 40 Eighth Street work includes a 4‑inch mill with two 2‑inch lifts on the roadway and that the Vine/Commerce segment will be paved with a 4‑inch asphalt mat. He told commissioners crews will reshape drainage and add two‑foot unpaved shoulders on each side after paving and that core samples taken on 40 Eighth indicated a stronger base and thicker asphalt than expected.

\"So we have enough funds to set aside for both projects to make good improvements to both structures of roadway,\" McKay said.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval of purchase orders (PO 7906 and 7907) to Bettis Asphalt for the projects; the motion passed 3-0.

Separately, staff presented the county's annual cold‑mix asphalt procurement. After reviewing four bids and excluding one that did not meet specifications, staff recommended APAC, Kansas, Inc. to supply cold‑mix asphalt for the county's patching program. Staff said mixing in a contractor yard off Ninth Street would reduce hauling and that most aggregate (about 65 percent of the mix) would come from an Ellis County producer. Commissioners approved PO 7908 to APAC, Kansas, Inc., 3-0.

Staff said the county's asphalt plan for the year covers roughly 12 miles of paving plus patching; exact roads will be published in the county capital plan and may shift if premature deterioration or higher‑priority needs arise. Commissioners asked staff to present the planned route list publicly so residents can see which roads are scheduled for work.","Commissioners approved two purchase orders to Bettis Asphalt for road improvements on 40 Eighth Street and the Vineyard/Commerce corridor and approved a separate cold‑mix asphalt purchase to APAC for county patching; commissioners recorded 3-0 votes for both actions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653083,"Ellis County commissioners approve 1478 Jeffrey Avenue lot split despite private-access concerns",390,0,390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f&start=0&end=390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485917-222b61440d9ffd479908aa70939d485f/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6653083/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-commissioners-approve-1478-Jeffrey-Avenue-lot-split-despite-private-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653083-b80f0d6a7119aeb8c3b56966a03ea2ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775879745&Signature=DttAfd1uKu14bp46FTxL2J6ATWZwUTxQhSW6Db0222NmSwqDDz9zuJK0DKUZpfzJVJHO1G1JNnpFsy~mG9tDIPvQ5RIy45epY0q1DkVeTqmdwcKUEpnLWJzQck7pBEVSe-u5HfNRHcMOYBCj-hEeQ8Uu7vm~HNfHqYDWQoZBaBF4Eyg~XNi0ujB0BTHefgDzqBokk1m8K1fKOr8KKktoByfu4jSuKl6Ac~c0yTjTOfiuyIk8QsE~rmwIEn0kaA4aZ~t74XstC-U8IwltIEuBBqLxH~rmVGBlUN-MsiKLa1WkRdhJ1UiHIjtnzjCfXeA9SwkBfiwVV1yqjbVCz82dbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellis County commissioners on Thursday approved a proposed lot split for 1478 Jeffrey Avenue in Hayes, voting 3-0 to allow the property to be divided into two residential parcels.

County staff and speakers at the meeting said the existing entrance, Jeffrey Drive, is privately maintained and there is currently no county right-of-way serving the parcel. Public‑works staff cautioned that adding a second entrance close to the existing drive could create traffic‑spacing concerns on a 55 mph roadway and recommended a single easement and entrance if possible.

The split would create parcels smaller than the county’s stated 2‑acre minimum for new lots. Bill Jeter (commenter during the hearing) noted the county’s environmental code calls for a 2‑acre minimum, but that the site’s wells and septic predate the zoning regulations and are therefore grandfathered. The applicant and owner representatives said the split is being offered for residential use; they confirmed any commercial reuse, such as returning a former countertop shop to commercial operation, would require a separate rezoning application.

Commissioners asked whether an easement existed between neighboring property owners; staff said no written easement was found in county records. Applicants said they had approached neighboring owners about purchasing a sliver of land to widen access, but the owners declined. The applicant noted the southern neighboring parcel is expected to come to market, and that purchasing then could be an option, though no guarantee of sale was promised.

A motion to approve the proposed lot split was made, seconded and carried 3-0. The action will create two residential parcels at 1478 Jeffrey Avenue with the access and septic conditions described above. Commissioners did not adopt any change to county minimum‑lot‑size policy during the meeting, and staff emphasized that any future commercial use would require a rezoning application and formal review.

The county record shows the parcel owner currently uses part of an existing building as a one‑bedroom apartment; presenters said that residential occupancy does not change the present requirement that any commercial reuse follow normal rezoning procedures.","The Ellis County Commission voted 3-0 to approve a two‑parcel split for 1478 Jeffrey Avenue (Hayes), after staff warned the site relies on private Jeffrey Drive and that the resulting lots would be smaller than the county's 2‑acre minimum but grandfathered by existing wells and septic.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northwest Homeland Security approves new hauler and UTV placement; Ellis County set to house regional assets

Ellis County appraiser requests short extension to valuation‑notice mailing; commissioners accept update

Commissioners ask staff to explore options for tracked excavator purchase, delay decision

Ellis County approves road improvement contracts for 40 Eighth Street, Vineyard and Commerce corridors

Ellis County commissioners approve 1478 Jeffrey Avenue lot split despite private-access concerns