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Ellis County Library Board reports budget, mill‑levy plans and possible withdrawal from Central Kansas Library System
Summary
The newly formed Ellis County Library Board reported spending to date, explained a proposed 0.385 mill levy and discussed the two‑year CKLS withdrawal process; staff said a prefiled state bill may shorten the timeline for withdrawal.
Jennifer Tiget, speaking for the Ellis County Library Board, updated the commission on the board's first year of activity, current spending and the board’s budget proposals. Tiget said the board has "spent so far just a little over $1,500" and has outstanding invoices "just under $1,000." The board proposed a mill levy that moved from 0.381 in initial plans to a final 0.385 during budget discussions, with a projected income figure ‘‘just slightly under 78,000.’’
Tiget explained that the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS) currently receives the full mill levy for unincorporated Ellis County and that, under state procedures, a local board can petition to withdraw from CKLS after demonstrating "manifest harm" over two taxing years, after which the county could levy 0.25 mills and later adjust. County staff explained that if the county library retains the full 2‑mill local levy previously sent to CKLS, more local funding could be available for Hays and Ellis public libraries and for local school or college libraries.
County staff said a House representative from Saline County had prefiled legislation to eliminate the two‑year manifest‑harm requirement and speed the withdrawal process; Tiget said the library board will track that bill and work with county counsel and staff. Tiget invited commissioners to the library board meeting tomorrow and thanked commissioners for support.
Commissioners asked about the board’s use of funds and the administrative steps remaining; staff committed to follow up on invoices and next steps for a possible service contract with the Hays Public Library. The commission offered procedural guidance and thanked the board for its volunteer work.
