Newsletter-Early-Week

Last week, Hays City Commissioners unanimously approved an amended 2026 Budget with the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) mill levy of 24.382. The previously published proposed City Budget for next year with a flat 25 mill levy, described by Commissioners as “very conservative” exceeded the RNR by approximately .671 mills (an estimated $200.000.) Therefore, at the September 11, 2025 City Commission Meeting, as required by state statute, a Public Hearing on the City’s presumed intent to exceed the RNR preceded a Public Hearing on the City’s proposed 2026 Budget.

Earlier this week, the USD489 Board of Education (BOE) formally approved (5-1) the District’s FY26 Budget. Prior to the Budget approval, the BOE also adopted (4-2) a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rates calculated for 2025-2026 by approximately 3/10th of a mill.

Last week, Ellis County Commissioners called for the public’s help in filling a vacancy on the Ellis County Library Board. In late 2024, a five – member County Library Board was appointed after voters’ approval of the creation of a County Library.

According to Ellis County Administrator Darin Myers, the restoration of the County Administrative Center Basement will be sufficiently restored in time for the Sept. 9th & Sept. 16th Meetings to be held in County Commission Chamber.

Ellis County Commissioners, on Tuesday Sept. 2, 2025, appointed Hays resident Jerald Mermis to serve on the Joint Planning Commission.