[{"_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",6475123,"mediaKeyId","5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2","parentId",5738384,"title","Ellis County Commission approves consent agenda items a'g","audioSeconds",12,"startMs",468000,"endMs",480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2&start=468&end=480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2/thumbnail_468000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475123/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-Commission-approves-consent-agenda-items-ag","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475123-897bb41dbff25abe2584b3b66b59c737/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151381&Signature=SEvqtjERVYnHu6W3B0Kn0FsRlz0EqG-F7Yx8n~hK1lpNwjvHneSfr-zberfW7sABKUX3E4eSL7MUyY-vhN5Bu9KQWhR7sGBwOeCL1ql9nNdC~cra5gm4AdY6OCACZ0hMiYm61uf7PSLx7-YEHZtLLNkPedgvpzHiXTFyM~RHNYQGzsS4oAarurSXOLIegq21nXNE9jxFtiDeCvs5hqEAii5ZLW2mr1y5WTxSPrgyp1mv~RpJpmRzwGAztZHD56in5apoGuaLtWunU0XNKK5l~UUFsRxc4dcnLaFk0fNnov5NuYsmmIZux7yaZDGJ7-DHERcpVJLdoCox7Nw0HDrP7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ellis County, KS","date","2025-09-09T13:11:30Z","article","ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission approved the meeting's consent agenda items a through g by voice vote at the Sept. 9 session. A commissioner moved to approve the consent agenda, another seconded, and the board recorded the vote as \"aye\" and \"passes 3-0.\" No substantive discussion on those consent items was recorded on the transcript that would require separate action.

The consent agenda typically bundles routine approvals, such as meeting minutes, claims, and other standard administrative items; the commission did not flag any items for separate consideration during the meeting.

The recorded action is a standard meeting procedure to clear routine business and allow time for substantive agenda items later in the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ellis County, KS Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved routine consent-agenda items a through g by voice vote at the Sept. 9 meeting. The motion passed 3-0.","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},6475128,"Ellis County adopts written retiree health-insurance policy required by state statute",136,3286000,3422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2&start=3286&end=3422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2/thumbnail_3286000.jpg","/articles/6475128/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-adopts-written-retiree-health-insurance-policy-required-by-state-statute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475128-e4d45d44700d1cb7113bea40df1e4ce7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151381&Signature=O8gNPu8lSrYINrf0LD3H799iTk30cPs7JC5wu-aOWtqUej30AVtvAW2fGC2CElfl18NYJlCfvt~WGW8vxlpfnAksv4dybqK-j-3EJR5tRITu6h9u2lCz6WdJpLRhhwfv443dAeL-Ri2GrlJSg2ltRKrVZE7Btl7MFaSneZwchyLChWWO9l6eulRSPIMzW5OZbGeCY2w0-qWL3WZVmu3byjs9M6zGgCn878hQwe7nkapENjaBj71BJRVkT563wNBmMege24oakPDJjUfXTBotCz61lF8W6ZfkCPQ2VB-GoFSEQGtEgNmgjOUYG~JkMmSjAvGEnpK65ATXXm4rVVx0qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission on Sept. 9 approved an addition to the county personnel policy that sets written rules for retiree health insurance. County Administrator Darren Myers told the commission that Kansas statute requires a written policy and that the change formalizes existing practices; the motion passed 3-0 and the policy is effective immediately.

Myers said the county lacked a documented policy detailing who is eligible for retiree health insurance, how long retirees may receive coverage and who pays premiums. \"Kansas statute actually requires that we do have a policy on it,\" Myers told the commission. The adopted section clarifies eligibility (service and retirement criteria), states that retirees are responsible for 100 percent of their premiums, and grants the county authority to terminate coverage for nonpayment so the liability does not fall to the general tax base.

Commissioners described the action as codifying practices already in use and said the change has no immediate financial impact because it documents current procedures. The commission recorded the vote as \"passes 3-0\" and staff said the policy would be uploaded to the county's HR systems and posted online.

The policy addition takes effect immediately and will be included in the county's personnel manual and HR platform (UKG).","The commission added a new personnel policy section (8.8) describing eligibility and terms for retiree health insurance; the policy codifies existing practice that retirees pay 100% of premiums and allows the county to terminate coverage for nonpayment. The commission voted the change into effect immediately, 3-0.",{"_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},6475131,"Ellis County Health Department to adopt Patagonia Health electronic records system; commission approves purchase",239,3037000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2&start=3037&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2/thumbnail_3037000.jpg","/articles/6475131/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-Health-Department-to-adopt-Patagonia-Health-electronic-records-system-commission-approves-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475131-4b2c35cc0503103ffc7e08615f5f7697/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151381&Signature=BswK6xfu1gu647i1dvjatNug-68ZjRPQk0V3G4CC3Cl3HqmW0bS5kpfH359wqI6-5E-DBa5QgUOvnphPynV0AdSufE1oWqLYowhiK9GAB~yPkVnyffY-dgIpi1PCeWT4d4k0YzZot1-wpRsqX8dSMn0yQD2tgY8mCZVqzccCE7Qo-2io1bELCMgSrs2z7Kb~fh7juheqOQx6MTEbqcN190O9jhmGQQljm9Fis9jGluvY29I6PqCmN~LfB2x8SVUYaFkmlI7yUAB2pftkd7scsI-P2LWXwABkp5ysR4Gk9xxFk8-kKbBl7S0Sm9NYDUreVZrQiu-yHmsI~Wen06ntcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission on Sept. 9 approved a purchase order to adopt a new electronic health-records system for the Ellis County Health Department. Health Director Melissa Miller said the department selected the product after reviewing options and visiting other counties that use the system; the commission recorded the motion as passing 3-0.

Miller described the system as meeting the department's operational needs and said staff had evaluated several vendors. \"We feel like this is the best system,\" Miller said. Commissioners and staff discussed payment and grant reimbursement; County Administrator Darren Myers said the department would encumber the cost in the health department's capital fund and submit the invoice to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) under a workforce development grant for reimbursement. Myers said that reimbursement typically takes time and the county will advance the purchase so the health department is not over budget at year-end.

The department and staff identified the vendor as Patagonia Health, a widely used EHR in Kansas counties. Commissioners were told the system includes five years of coverage for updates and on-site training and that the county would receive local support for implementation. The commission's motion authorizes the county to issue the purchase order and proceed with implementation; the purchase will be paid from the health department's capital fund and later reimbursed if the KDHE grant disburses funds as expected.

The motion passed by voice vote and was recorded as \"passes 3-0.\"","The Ellis County Commission approved purchase of a new electronic health record (EHR) system for the Health Department and authorized using capital funds to buy the software pending reimbursement from a KDHE workforce development grant.",{"_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},6475134,"Commission approves private access road across Commerce Estates right-of-way for property owner",543,2490000,3033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2&start=2490&end=3033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","/articles/6475134/Ellis-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-private-access-road-across-Commerce-Estates-right-of-way-for-property-owner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475134-e3bbe8c9b3239029c033838544eb845b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151381&Signature=B5x3dWBpJLZZczkf1PDLXYWjTMUA7A-AgFUx6sw9Sz8Vz17XBuyNEf5O3k0psyEu~13ODD9ZNFswOLHiHmkx5ApI81GKWPX1PuIYnP3s8xPjVhP3JUQDx~G6vRwtyUK4bSGu3CZPfvtXuI~B6WSWIj1VChEYrt0PXT64Qzx4LZVaUlLeUg9jLW-1O0tcG0Lv2ICOsJRMktMjmp-yYgK1f9TeZ-bMNU4ei2mUvm-v0EVL9KIEtwiDg~xQbhwtSjIpDNhSuDQBoN1jWAUcpDORjBSgiTtA8-5Esg~5nvS5o1RRgYCntT9kafqQG-c~JXIbEspEk9nKbHh3q9RL3KM9gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission on Sept. 9 approved a request from property owner Kendall Krug to construct an access road across an unimproved portion of the Commerce Estates right-of-way, allowing ingress and egress to his parcel. The motion passed 3-0.

Krug told commissioners he and his wife own the east half of a northwest quarter that had been split into 50- and 30-acre parcels and that \"30 Seventh Street was never built\" in the 1999 Commerce Estates plat. He asked permission to build a road across the county's existing right-of-way to access a future home site on the west side of his property. \"So the request is that you would allow us to go ahead and, at our expense, build the road and maintain it into our property,\" Krug said.

County Counselor Bill Jeter confirmed the right-of-way established by the original plat still exists. Public Works Director Brandon McKay said similar access installations have been private-party projects in the past and that the county typically inspects culvert and drainage work to ensure it does not create issues for the county system. McKay noted, in part, that developers or landowners previously have installed necessary materials and the county inspected for standards.

The commission said the road would remain public right-of-way but that Krug's installation and maintenance would be his responsibility. Commissioners and staff discussed two likely culvert locations and said that if the county were to take over the road in the future, the owner would need to upgrade it to county standards at the owner's expense.

The motion to approve the ingress and egress passed by voice vote and was recorded as \"passes 3-0.\"","The commission granted permission for landowner Kendall Krug to build and maintain a private access road on an unimproved county right-of-way in Commerce Estates. The motion passed 3-0 with conditions that the work meet county drainage and installation expectations.",{"_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},6475137,"Ellis County approves 2026 budgets, exceeding revenue-neutral rate after public hearing",1929,547000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2&start=547&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738384-bea170e2e5b2d6692af147f1b1d817b2/thumbnail_547000.jpg","/articles/6475137/Ellis-County/Kansas/Ellis-County-approves-2026-budgets-exceeding-revenue-neutral-rate-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475137-c92c649772e596fbc66c8c3800bcc345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151381&Signature=Sa~sVyjH7jGLBpcX4Kf321iCNwkzJpkU~XNwIHSfsihRy8Z1~RWcaOiLSNg71FcoyhdEiEJOp1GEPH6TTH-c9Uc6v~3XkISn6hP6aZ7WmKofaQJH8rQB2dIku13Qc~6vwj9f7~o7BLBAfe8Dmb4KekyB4pgYKyB54l6uTWzmSglEsUCS9S~vZiMxveUzpLNF9UqL-sadhR8xx9ZPYAQZVeUsrS~6mUvdF9BmS6d88dLXjB-X4ps3x-O0vr~VLWGuFnsZKAgK-n3iS9tC2MMOZy0wfdMw6dwKc57Kdf-I4YvoZZcTGn3gqHJi5wcQxWjuY7alw6cw-eupF0GYflTWYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission voted 3-0 on Sept. 9 to approve the proposed 2026 general fund and Fire District No. 1 budgets and adopted Resolution 2025-14, after opening and then closing a public hearing on the county's plan to exceed the revenue-neutral rate.

County Administrator Darren Myers opened the hearing and described the process for receiving public comment before the commission voted. \"The final step of the budget process is here this morning, to have a public hearing for both the r and r and the county budgets,\" Myers said. The commission then heard roughly an hour of public comment from residents who pressed the board to consider alternatives to raising property taxes.

Why it matters: The approved budget will raise the county's mill levy above the revenue-neutral rate, increasing property-tax bills for homeowners and businesses. Commissioners and staff said the increase responds partly to anticipated cuts in grant funding and other pressures; residents warned of the effect on households and local employers.

Residents who spoke at the hearing emphasized the local tax burden. Mark Hess, identifying himself as \"a resident of Ellis County,\" told commissioners, \"This budget raises the mill levy and increases the burden on tax payers rather than making the difficult, but necessary choices.\" John Pyle said property taxes on his home rose from $3,600 to $5,800 in five years and asked, \"Where can we find other sources of revenue besides off of the taxpayers back?\"

Myers and commissioners offered financial context during and after public comment. Myers said the county's current assessed valuation is about $536,000,000 and that the proposed estimate of 1.9 mills would yield almost $1 million in additional revenue. He described the components of that 1.9 mills as 0.9 mills adjusted through the budget process and an additional 1.0 mill to prepare for possible reductions in federal grant funding. Myers also said the preliminary valuation increase released in June was roughly 1.4 percent, representing about $6,000,000 in additional assessed value overall.

Speakers cited county revenue sources as part of their arguments. One resident questioned how wind turbines are taxed; Myers said payments from the county's wind facilities are structured as payments in lieu of taxes and called out a prior valuation that estimated those payments at about $892,000.

Commissioners said they had spent months reviewing departmental budgets and had trimmed and adjusted line items during multiple meetings. Commissioner Nathan Leiker and others said they had reviewed department requests line by line; the board noted about $770,000 in reductions discussed at a recent meeting.

The commission first voted to open the public hearing and later to close it. After public comment concluded and discussion ended, the commission voted to approve the budgets and Resolution 2025-14 by roll call, with Nathan Leiker, Neil Younger and Michael Burgess voting yes. The board's action was recorded as \"passes 3-0.\" The county indicated the budget documents had been discussed over six months and that some of the levy increase is intended as a contingency for potential cuts to grant programs such as those serving women, infants and children.

The commission also invited the public to a budget work session scheduled for Sept. 23, where commissioners said they will continue discussions about the county's long-term fiscal approach.

The commission's vote adopts the 2026 budgets and the accompanying resolution; specifics of line-item appropriations are in the county's adopted budget document for 2026.

Commissioners present: Michael Burgess (chair), Neil Younger (vice chair), Nathan Leiker. County Administrator: Darren Myers.","After a public hearing with multiple residents urging fiscal restraint, the Ellis County Commission on Sept. 9 approved the proposed 2026 general fund and Fire District No. 1 budgets and adopted Resolution 2025-14, which exceed the county's revenue-neutral rate. The vote was 3-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ellis County Commission approves consent agenda items a'g

Ellis County adopts written retiree health-insurance policy required by state statute

Ellis County Health Department to adopt Patagonia Health electronic records system; commission approves purchase

Commission approves private access road across Commerce Estates right-of-way for property owner

Ellis County approves 2026 budgets, exceeding revenue-neutral rate after public hearing