[{"_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",6523791,"mediaKeyId","5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8","parentId",5024584,"title","Ellis County commission reviews 2026 budget draft; little change in commission budget","audioSeconds",536,"startMs",5404000,"endMs",5940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8&start=5404&end=5940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8/thumbnail_5404000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6523791/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-commission-reviews-2026-budget-draft-little-change-in-commission-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523791-dad82b80f4f2aa27e71bb1208ce8eaf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149540&Signature=n1MJ48irLS0JHoeVp7~7t2hLklif0h2p~Pusyo07zihkYJ06EGvZVvCsHIuQ0SmG9sJo~Yr0uGEo9nEjh9ptVD4Hycz5g3Y7rlWFC69y9szuwGJKozK1jllVFrmTiY-xXYSckpfwAAIXQI3CdvjQTfnPIgg3eGiePO26LmbbUG2yMQ8uXRDVQmG-oFwnr1LyCi3-kCSb2~Y5vONs1rgdSDif6njQm-rwGRWC4RFC3IAE-ZRtSq~rZ9QVgaJEP17htdpIP9-p83JqiOi-RYO3BBvGckkc5A6dJrYU6XMkUpMfLJcIu8vEInDjnm0FUgdM8Gyay7254oIxyaAOSCvK7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ellis County, KS","date","2025-06-17T16:56:32Z","article","County administration on June 17 presented the Ellis County commission with a proposed 2026 commission budget that shows only modest change from the current year. The overall commission budget was reduced by roughly $1,400–$1,600 compared with the current year, officials said.

Darren Myers, county administrator, noted the largest discretionary item in the commission budget is the dues and membership line (approximately $19,000), which covers memberships in several organizations including the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC), the Kansas County Commissioners Association (KCCA), the National Association of Counties (NACO) and other regional and legislative groups. Commissioners asked staff to return an itemized list of NACO benefits and to estimate licensing or subscription impacts tied to technology purchases the county is considering.

Myers also highlighted the county’s scholarships program: the commission funds renewable scholarships that are budgeted from sales-tax revenue rather than property tax. Because some awards are multi-year and renewable, the budget process must account for second-year payments for previously approved scholarships as well as first-year awards for newly approved recipients.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about travel, the cost-sharing model for national or regional meetings, and whether the county will continue participation in certain programs (notably RAS rural opportunity zone support, which was reduced because the county is no longer RAS-eligible but existing approvals still carry an obligation). Myers said additional budget details and membership benefit information will be provided to commissioners as the budget hearings approach.

No formal change to the commission budget was made at the meeting; the item was presented for review during the county’s budget work timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ellis County, KS Commission","oneSentenceSummary","County administrators presented a draft 2026 commission budget showing a small reduction and highlighted the largest discretionary line — memberships and dues — while commissioners asked staff to provide details on several memberships.","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},6523796,"Ellis County agrees to supply labor, equipment for Hays chip seal; Victoria request deferred to July",1105,2635000,3740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8&start=2635&end=3740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8/thumbnail_2635000.jpg","/articles/6523796/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-agrees-to-supply-labor-equipment-for-Hays-chip-seal-Victoria-request-deferred-to-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523796-6f5877eeba7f16237cff7448707878b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149540&Signature=WNpPAU63GI4JEwITDtRiVejWD4L8iRpo9qGudchTgJx6XFG5rWZkyBTlIdNVoDrg3gNExM9VVKyfm6lyA6sw3b-v5EduBz7GxrhyPPDKv2JpNKGKpfqUi0AA0NVOsfZHW3UosmMRTQNb5Onf1~yvq~3phhXGD38OSlpW~fif~Ls14vK50Ld9ObYJ7MUIemuljACJijyfXM4N9z7q5bOgBg-EP7qOggRe-7xAC2C0TnKOb2x9qBoWh6u8Yk65HwIwCNDBiYY9eV01XZB~hi2k8Pm3f~tPbsphn5HKOG2FldzHCUxxgGLxY07tFKOoxYNS6MJbDgG-cF6ut2OaQME-LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellis County commissioners on June 17 approved a request from the City of Hays for county equipment and labor to apply chip seal to a parking lot area at the municipal golf course. The county will provide machinery and crews while the city supplies oil and aggregate; no county cash payment was required.

Public works staff said the job is a short work window best done before harvest operations begin. The county estimated the Hays project would take less than a single crew day; commissioners approved the county public works department assisting the city and recorded a 3-0 vote in favor.

Separately, the commission discussed a pending request from the City of Victoria for road improvements. Chair Michael Burgess told fellow commissioners he revisited the Victoria site and suggested $25,000 as a discretionary amount the county might provide from public-works project funds. Commissioners agreed to follow normal procurement practice and to place a PO request or formal approval on the July 1 agenda to allow staff time to finalize the amount and paperwork.

Commissioners said the Victoria request would come from fund 78 (public works projects) if approved; no PO or funds were approved at the June 17 meeting. Staff will prepare the Victoria PO and the project-manager agenda materials for July so the commission can consider the expenditure during the regular agenda process.","The commission approved county labor and equipment to assist the City of Hays with a chip-seal project and agreed to consider a separate Victoria streets request at the July 1 agenda after staff and commissioners refine the amount and scope.",{"_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},6523801,"Ellis County discusses right-of-way inventory, GIS upgrades and a project manager position",2073,2777000,4850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8&start=2777&end=4850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","/articles/6523801/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-discusses-right-of-way-inventory-GIS-upgrades-and-a-project-manager-position","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523801-05264de2b7314f93907b414cb8032364/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149540&Signature=SWu~7WMv5d3lLeIzKYkhqweYc7tjn1pLMUgoUZeerryUmHA3yJPaUHsvePiomddVOpGnillFyOKoMTCnqYcoZihvg8Q48~IKAcUIvZcEskH~fwjl2rRkzNzatusajjDNCOUTjkIl-UbSZKaEbaTYc3PdPM-kSbT4JC0dMI2os5lMNUcb2nOLYKh5XMBLszup86IQ2vQsm9QFQtuOGVV05KXHmODf9sp3j2fj4fJiN85VE577WpGewdXCoRi-X3qZENskjs-d8hclGt4EhxiNsHtF-ZxJ62FLuRCpWNsB7VsJ2AkLhZefYOlcbGDJlQdufsoNrqU28hQumEd9ZZqKFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellis County public works staff on June 17 presented maps identifying narrow right-of-way segments, unbuilt roadways, and locations the county currently maintains though right-of-way or ownership is unclear. Commissioners discussed a multi-step program to inventory roads, better integrate public works data with the county GIS system, and create a project manager position to coordinate the work.

Public works staff said the maps flag multiple categories: narrow right-of-way with minimal or no ditching, unbuilt right-of-way where the county nevertheless performs maintenance, and locations where the existing roadway functions more like a private driveway. Commissioners emphasized prioritizing heavily used Farm-to-Market (FAS) routes and major thoroughfares rather than expending limited crew time on seasonally used, low-traffic roads.

Brandon McKay and Bridal McHale (public works) said their current mapping workflow relies on an older AutoCAD drawing that is not integrated with the county's ArcGIS system; Mike Leiker, the county IT director, said integration is possible but requires additional Esri licensing, coordination on standards, and training. Commissioners requested a price and licensing estimate for additional ArcGIS seats during the budget process.

County administrators recommended creating a project manager position (reclassifying a planned retirement slot) to run the inventory and manage GIS/work-order integration. Staff said the position's job description will be finalized and placed on the July 1 agenda; hiring and system purchases would follow later in the year, with gradual rollout of GPS-enabled data collection, work-order tracking, and culvert/sign inventories.

Officials emphasized a phased approach to avoid overwhelming staff: start with prioritized quadrants or high-usage corridors, equip crews with handheld GPS units for point collection, and expand layers in ArcGIS to support daily work orders and future disaster documentation. Commissioners expressed general support for the phased plan and asked staff to bring licensing and budget numbers forward during the July budget discussions.

No formal vote was taken on immediate roadway changes; commissioners asked staff to return with a project manager job description and cost estimates for GIS licensing and field GPS units.","County staff presented maps showing narrow or unbuilt right-of-way and sought direction to create a project manager role, integrate public works mapping with county GIS, and roll out GPS and work-order tracking over time.",{"_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},6523806,"Neighbors, county debate closure or improvement of unbuilt Dawn Street in Munger",670,856000,1526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8&start=856&end=1526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8/thumbnail_856000.jpg","/articles/6523806/Ellis-County/Kansas/Neighbors-county-debate-closure-or-improvement-of-unbuilt-Dawn-Street-in-Munger","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523806-08a99b67a8474327d1763ab1ce874977/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149540&Signature=Y~ILMnPAYynvysL1ua3V890p59LVc59bQY5dD8bsHnYsomkGFVK9WfeSP~C7yFwhlqxTryB2UpyS7t5TSouyULbHCPI8Hrve4tFlJJRqLYJFiEHhBsqIISEO5VJSzPbfOef9CkmqsWaPXtJRutG2A6LwJjtpohMkFBYLrPBBs8QoaWQ8AsNn7D2cZkAI-xPwr6aIVqw05GJi1nzl94uuTxyhAT0u82Z9fd6CCFOlxHv8Ral8u6BX3fsQ17djx-JnbawTeyP2odVBEsVfyKEhKpBWbeUkCBwH76KEoTympKGyzB-1uqBJC1vGrQ4WpUbs1TLqknlpBU5IVI8yYgFgZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Munger asked Ellis County commissioners on June 17 to improve an unpaved alley and the unpaid portion of Dawn Street so they could access the rear of a property and reduce mud and potholes.

David Velizing and Stephanie Leathhead, owners of a Munger Airbnb, said the alley is used by multiple residents and service providers and requested a low-cost surface such as gravel or crushed concrete. They said an adjoining neighbor at 877 Moscow has been obstructive, claiming ownership of the alley and the unbuilt portion of Dawn Street despite county records showing public right of way.

Bridal McHale, identified in the meeting as Ellis County public works director, explained that the unpaid portion of Dawn Street is a natural drainage area used for water storage; utilities are present in the area and building a roadway would require relocating utilities and addressing stormwater flow onto neighboring property. County counselor Bill Jeter and staff noted legal distinctions between closing a road to vehicle traffic and vacating a right of way: closure would retain the public right of way but limit vehicular use while vacating would transfer ownership and require new easements for utilities and likely relocations.

Commissioners discussed three main options: (1) do nothing and leave the area as an unbuilt right of way, (2) formally close the roadway to vehicular traffic while preserving utility access, or (3) declare the roadway a \"minimum maintenance\" road under Kansas law (which can affect liability under the Kansas Tort Claims Act). Several commissioners said they were inclined to leave the area largely as-is but to consider a minimum-maintenance designation to reduce the county's exposure. County counselor Bill Jeter warned the county retains exposure to liability while it owns the right of way unless vacated or declared minimum maintenance per statute.

Property owners and the local church had previously expressed support for a closure to vehicle traffic, and two of the three adjoining landowners had signed letters asking for closure. Some residents noted the area floods when it rains and that prior attempts to place rock were washed out.

After discussion, commissioners took no formal action on the request. Staff listed two possible follow-up items: (a) prepare a resolution and signage to declare the roadway minimum maintenance (if the commission directs that route), and (b) bring the item back to the July meeting with additional petitioners present. The commission’s recorded outcome was \"no action taken.\"","Residents and county staff discussed an unbuilt portion of Dawn Street and an adjoining alley in Munger, with options ranging from no action to closure to declaring the right-of-way minimum maintenance; commissioners took no immediate action on June 17.",{"_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},6523811,"Ellis County adopts March 2025 Emergency Operations Plan",388,581000,969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8&start=581&end=969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024584-3707bfdfd93c0ab4ff92df04c729b1e8/thumbnail_581000.jpg","/articles/6523811/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-adopts-March-2025-Emergency-Operations-Plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523811-0fd9e0b7827558d598ec607d51102f88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149540&Signature=ZXUz~nxxn4P04-sK1eHk3e-IhVZ9Em50~uFoNfCeT0KJfCzP6TQ9A4MKkqb1s7nM-3tHgu2IJejJbWhvFSufu64M4P6rhgOmeijGYlXE~lv8XdcDIvtFZoUGGMAPDcFgpfxhwAeQNN-JxvbO03EEvHMKXHED5qo~6TRtuAsil09QfD0syzE~tDl9get2UlqN5Gpjc7R75voLJz77xAxRBU7oCQIUm6zf~YF3NIQRtkrzJcNf0A~onR1vI0-SgcjAtOJoErj9p0UnjUeI4ELY3tjFItc15BSOZNYS05TCnVEdqVr-d5bLJV~aiwP-OQFqS~e3hFWgFcAwGHrni1E5pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellis County commissioners on June 17 voted unanimously to adopt the March 2025 update to the county Emergency Operations Plan and authorized the commission chair to sign a promulgation letter.

The move completes a local adoption step required after county staff updated the plan and received preliminary approval from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, officials said. The plan includes a new \"EOP mapper\" electronic database intended to help state and assisting agencies locate critical infrastructure and map overlays during a large-scale incident.

Emergency manager staff presented the plan to the commission and described revisions made to meet the 2020 Kansas planning standards. The plan itself was described as a playbook and checklist for incident response; staff said the full document is for official use only and will not be released to the general public. The county will maintain and periodically update inventories inside the plan so that response information remains current.

Commissioners asked about the plan's update cycle and how long the adopted version will remain in effect. Staff said the current document will be valid through Dec. 31, 2031, and recommended routine updates (at least annually for inventory items) to avoid lengthy multi-year revision efforts.

No public comment was recorded on the item. After a motion to adopt the plan and a second, the vote was recorded as 3-0 in favor.

County officials said adoption locally completes the step needed for the state to accept the plan as an approved document for use in mutual aid and coordinated response.

The commission did not discuss releasing the plan's full text to the public, and staff reiterated that the EOP is classified for official use only.","The Ellis County Commission voted 3-0 on June 17 to adopt the March 2025 update to the county Emergency Operations Plan, formally allowing the county to return the plan to state review and use a new EOP mapper function.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ellis County commission reviews 2026 budget draft; little change in commission budget

Ellis County agrees to supply labor, equipment for Hays chip seal; Victoria request deferred to July

Ellis County discusses right-of-way inventory, GIS upgrades and a project manager position

Neighbors, county debate closure or improvement of unbuilt Dawn Street in Munger

Ellis County adopts March 2025 Emergency Operations Plan