By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

An Overland Park consulting firm soon will put together a proposal for the Ellis County Commission to further pursue the idea of hiring a county administrator.

Bill Wood and Steve Snodgrass with Wood-Snodgrass met with commissioners Monday night and agreed to put together a cost estimate that would tell commissioners what an administrator could do for the county and how a consulting firm could help find one.

"I think you would be best served by our ability to go out and do testing and get some facts with the idea that with that feedback, you would be wise to 'do we even want to do this?' " Snodgrass said.

Commissioners agreed that's the question they need answered before they can start thinking about hiring a chief executive for Ellis County.

Snodgrass said his firm would be able to find out about potential candidates for the job, develop a job description and determine the county's investment in the position.

"I know we need someone to look at the budget, and I'm sure there's other areas that we can save on. But we're a small enough county that maybe the guy can specialize in two different areas, maybe the budget and zoning or something like that," Commission Chairman Perry Henman said.

Commissioners set aside $125,000 in the 2010 budget for the potential hire of a county administrator.

In other business:

* Space needs committee members presented commissioners with two bids for architectural services for a feasibility study for the county's 22nd and Vine street property in Hays.

"They'll see what is usable that exists and put a dollar figure to it based on needs," committee member Tom Wasinger said. "And then (another estimate) to start from scratch and see what it costs."

Commissioners expect to accept one of the bids next week.

* Commissioners approved a waiver request for a water well in Limestone Acres near Yocemento. A test well was drilled on property belonging to Jason Robben, who would use the well for domestic use and could build a home on the property.

"To me, it's in Ellis County's best interest to see that property developed," Commissioner Glenn Diehl said.

The request will be sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for approval.

* Commissioners opened bids for a new motor grader.

* Commissioners recognized Darrell Loreg, who is retiring after 27 years in the public works department.