Resident asks Ellis County for one-time hauling fee waiver to remove large tree piles; commissioners agree to case-by-case waiver

Ron Adams, a property owner near the hospital fitness trail and a VOTEC school, told the Ellis County Commission on Feb. 4 that large piles of cut trees on his property posed burn and safety concerns and asked the county to waive the $20-per-ton hauling fee the City of Hays charges nonresidents to remove tree debris.

"I would like to do the same thing of hauling trees off because it's just fear of burning right in that area and the smoke that it may create and cause problems for other people," Adams said, describing piles of trees and past small burn permits he obtained from the sheriff's office.

Justin Gregg, Environmental Services director, told commissioners that county burn permits are processed through dispatch using guidelines in a 2022 county resolution and that there are no county fees to obtain a burn permit. Gregg confirmed that City of Hays charges $20 per ton for nonresidents to haul tree material to the landfill.

After discussion about options to shred, haul or stage material and concerns about proximity to cedar trees and nearby facilities, commissioners said they would allow a one-time county fee waiver for this specific instance and asked Adams to coordinate with Environmental Services and provide a progress update at the commission's February meeting. Commissioners emphasized the preference for limited, controlled burns only when proper suppression resources are planned and available.

No formal, board-wide ordinance change was made; the commission's agreement applied to this specific circumstance and included a request for an update at the February meeting.