By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
This week, the Ellis County Commission will consider selling the current Public Works facility east of Hays to Midwest Pipe Works for more than $600,000.
At the September final commission meeting, the commission reviewed the four sealed bids the county received for the sale of the Public Works property at 280th Avenue east of Hays.
The highest bid was from Gary Geist and Midwest Pipe Works for $605,000.
The commission elected to proceed with the sale of the building and conduct a public hearing during the first meeting in October to discuss and potentially approve it.
According to County Administrator Darin Myers, they have had several discussions with Geist about the potential closing date and the amount of time he would allow for public works to get their equipment transferred to the new facility north of Hays.
“He is very lenient and understanding,” Myers said. “He has got a lot of stuff going on with the expansion of his current business, and he has no really quick plans to do anything with this facility after Public Works moves out.”
Myers said they want the closing date to be the first day of January 2025. Geist told Myers he would be willing to have a closing day after the new year.
The public works department does not have a date set for when they can begin moving into the new facility north of Hays.
The commission will conduct a public hearing at Tuesday's meeting, but no one can submit a higher bid.
The commission will then consider proceeding with the sale, and County Counselor Bill Jeter will begin working on the paperwork to complete it.
Tuesday’s meeting is at 8:30 a.m. at the County Administrative Center, 718 Main St. Hays.
In other business on Tuesday, the commission will hear an update from Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason, a report from newly appointed Interim County Health Administrator Kerry McCue, discuss roads in the Stonewood Estate northeast of Hays, and hear the results of the Mid-Year Sales Ratio Study from Appraiser Eugene Rupp.