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Hays Daily News
Severe storms that barreled through Ellis County Wednesday afternoon have left many with hail damage to buildings and cars.
The country received reports of hail that ranged from pea to softball-sized. We ve had several of our country vehicles, county buildings have damage but multiple reports of vehicles throughout the town had hail damage and windows busted out, said Darin Myers, Ellis County emergency manager and fire chief. I m sure there will be residential roofs impacted as well.
No injuries or damage caused by two confirmed tornados that briefly touched down in the southeast portion of the county has been reported, according to Myers.
Hays Daily News
Taxes for most Ellis County residents next year could be largely similar to this year s taxes as the county commission eyes a virtually flat budget.
At the commission s meeting Monday afternoon, county administrator Darin Myers gave the commissioners a first look at the proposed 2022 budget.
The budget includes an increase of $491,000 to $24.4 million in the county s general fund. The biggest chunk of that increase stems from an additional $410,000 as part of a new bridge fund requested by the commission and an increase of $81,000 in transfers to the county s highway fund. Each will be funded by their own one-mill levies.
Hays Daily News
In a run down of Ellis County’s much-improved financial picture, new county administrator Darin Myers on Monday warned county commissioners they still need to start thinking of ways to bridge the gaps in coming years.
Detailing the improved revenue and lowered expenses, the county’s financial outlook now is good, but that can always change, Myers said.
“Why am I bringing all this up?” Myers asked after detailing the challenges in coming years. “It’s just very clear to point out that we cannot sustain, even with a sales tax, where we’re at now. We can’t just start going out, increasing budgets and start improving services, doing a whole bunch of other stuff.”
Hays Daily News
Ellis County commissioners plan a traffic study to improve safety for drivers on Reservation Road in the southeast part of the county.
The study will look at the need for stop signs and speed limit signs where the two-lane sandy road intersects with side streets.
That decision came during discussion of Big Creek Estates, a new housing subdivision planned for southeast of Hays.
The new development, which won the county’s approval Monday evening, is to the east of the existing Buffalo Hills Addition. It allows for 13 lots.
The development is the first for real estate company Platinum Group LLC, of Hays, led by Adam Pray.