By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Ellis County commissioners gave the go-ahead to space needs committee members Monday to find a consultant to determine if existing buildings at the county's 22nd and Vine properties could be used.

"We think we have a pretty good idea what needs there are and the possibilities to deal with those," space needs committee member Tom Wasinger told commissioners.

Those possibilities relocating county EMS and rural fire services to the 22nd and Vine property, which used to house the Kansas Department of Transportation. However, first, the space needs committee needed a commitment from commissioners on using the property.

"I'm not interested in selling it," Commissioner Glenn Diehl said. "It's a great location, it's centrally located (and) it's got great access."

Diehl said he still would like to talk with the city of Hays about its possible cooperative use of the property.

Commission Chairman Perry Henman said the county might not need all of the space at 22nd and Vine and still could sell off part of it to get it back on the tax roll.

In the meantime, though, a consultant will look at the property to determine its viability for the county's needs.

"We just need to know if it's going to work," Diehl said.

In other business:

* Diehl said he would like to seriously start looking at hiring a county administrator. Diehl said he talked with Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty after he completed his search for a new assistant city manager.

"Toby was saying that they had some excellent applications that came in -- people looking for work," Diehl said.

Commissioners could hear from a consultant who helps counties hire administrators sometime in December.

* County Counselor Bill Jeter instructed commissioners to appoint a hearing officer to oversee issues with the county's environmental code.

The county adopted its environmental code in 1992 but never has appointed a hearing officer, nor has it needed one.

"We do have a situation currently that may result in a request for a hearing," Jeter said.

The officer would hear grievances relating to water supply, wastewater treatment systems, setbacks and other environmental issues. Commissioners expect to appoint the officer in two weeks.

* Commissioners approved the purchase of a fiberglass tank to store salt brine for treating county roads during winter weather. They approved a bid of $7,475 from McDonald Tank and Equipment, Great Bend, for the 16,940-gallon tank.

* Commissioners approved a drinking establishment license for Precision Valley Golf Center.

* Commissioners will not meet the week of Nov. 16. They will be attending the Kansas Association of Counties annual conference in Overland Park.