Water issues bubbled to the surface during Monday night’s Ellsworth City Council meeting.

While the city originally intended to replace 100 meters this year, Jim Jackson suggested changing about 1,200 meters.

“(The cost) is what you’d spend over the next three years anyway,” he said. “If you did it all now, it would eliminate headaches and cost.”

Jackson is a contractor for Violia, the water meter system. He has a lock on the price of the meters for 30 days.

Interim city administrator John Deardoff said the proposed adjustment is a significant change in scope for the project.

“If we don’t, we’re going to end up spending twice as much in two years to replace half as much,” Jackson said.

Joe Travnicek, water/sewer superintendent, said the city also needs to consider replacing water meters on many residential properties.

“There are two types of meters,” he said. “We need to have all meters on one system. Will need to replace older, residential meters on the system can be read in the office.”

City staff will gather pricing options and the council will discuss meters at a future meeting.

The council also approved a contract with Yost Electric not to exceed $33,000 to replace an electrical component at the city’s main lift station.

The city’s sludge scraper at the sewer plant died, Travnicek said. A technician will be onsite this week to assess the options and cost to repair or replace it. The council will be updated at a future meeting.

In other business:

• The council discussed the mill levy. Currently, the levy is 77.853 and the city has until July 20 to notify the county clerk of its plan for 2023.

“I don’t want to lock us in. We haven’t even included wage increases,” Deardoff said. “I’m a little nervous about saying a maximum rate.”

“One big factor is inflation,” Mayor Dan Finnegan said. “We don’t know where it’s going either as far as next year.”

The council approved setting the not to exceed mill levy at 82.

The public hearing for the budget is set for Sept. 12.

• Ellsworth city employees possibly affected by the ransomware attack will be notified via letter in the near future. In addition to further details, the city will provide complimentary identity protection services.

“They’ve been advised to be vigilant,” Deardoff said. “We will provide complimentary access to identity protection to identify any theft that may have occurred — at no charge.”

• Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham Michael said installing underground pipe in the detention basin was delayed due to recent rainfall. He said the forecast is hot and dry, so the area should dry up enough to begin the project.

• The Kansas Department of Transportation approached the city about the department’s K-156/K-140 intersection turn lane project. The city previously rejected a bid, but KDOT offered a new proposal. The item will be discussed at a future meeting.

• Approved a grant agreement for $17,816 to replace the rotating beacon at the airport. The total cost of the project is $122,128.75. The FFA will cover 90 percent of the project, which will be completed by L&S Electric.

• Police Chief Emil Halfhill said the tree dump is intended for branches only.

“The mattresses, plywood, furniture are a no-go,” he said. “If KDHE comes and sees that, we will be in trouble.”

• Halfhill requested an additional $2,000 for demolition of three houses. The project was delayed because two of the gas lines were not vacated. Demolition is set to begin July 25 for the properties. The request was approved.

• Approved a bid to straighten a steel beam for an airport hangar. The cost will be about $5,000. The city previously submitted an insurance claim for the damage, and the insurance company indicated the entire roof would need to be replaced.

“We will get clarification on if contents will be insured,” Finnegan said. “We will repair the beam. If something happens to the roof, we’re not covered for the roof (by insurance).”

• Heard an update from recreation director Ron Tenbrink about possible improvements to the ball fields. The approximate cost to replace the dirt in the infields is $64,000.

“I’ve raised about $30,000,” he said. “I’m still waiting to hear back from some other people, businesses. I’m applying for a few grants as well. It would be nice if the city would contribute something toward the project.”

Tenbrink said the county agreed to contribute.

“My goal is to get to that number ($64,000) and do the infields, and hopefully there is a grant to match that and we can irrigate our outfields as well,” he said. “I see fields at towns about our size, they have nice outfields.”

• Tenbrink told commissioners there are drainage issues at the Health and Recreation Center.

“Every time it rains, it’s a mess back there,” he said. “We’ve had issues with water getting through those doors.”

The council will explore options at a future meeting.

• Announced a special meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday July 13, at the Recreation Center to interview candidates for the city administrator job.