This is the time of year Ellsworth City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh keeps one eye on the sky and the other on streamflow in the Smoky Hill River — and hopes for rain.

At Monday night’s regular meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, Stambaugh offered a brief update on the city’s water situation. In April, council members declared the city to be under a water watch, which means voluntary limitations on non-essential uses of water. An example would be the splash pad in Preisker Park, which Stambaugh said will not open until conditions improve.

“I don’t know what you want to do, but it makes me nervous,” Stambaugh told the council, which has the final word on the city’s use of water.

He said streamflow at Ellsworth, as measured by the U.S. Geological Survey, is set at 35 cubic feet per second for May. That’s based on 35 years of data. The current reading is 28.8 cubic feet.

The good news is that figure is much better than Ellsworth recorded during the dry years of the 1930s. The bad news — the river’s minimum streamflow goes to 45 cubic feet in June, an increase that only makes the current 28.8 cfs look worse.

Stambaugh said the city’s goal is to balance usage with common sense. Right now, the swimming pool is set to open, but that could change. Council members expect to discuss the way forward at their May 22 meeting.

“We’re trying to make smart decisions,” Stambaugh said.

Ellsworth is not alone. Much of western Kansas suffers from drought.

The Holyrood City Council also has declared a water watch using a copy of the resolution it received from Ellsworth. The action limits hours at the town’s splash pad from 1 to 8 p.m. starting May 15. The pad will be closed when the wind exceeds 20 miles an hour.

Ellsworth had not implemented water restrictions for almost a decade, when residents were asked to water on certain days, depending on their house num- bers.

Also Monday, the quiet associated with the J.H. Robbins Memorial Library was interrupted by an exchange between Mayor Dan Finnegan and Ellsworth resident Mike Walsh, who applied for a volunteer seat on the library board. He said the library is not in compliance with child internet rules and other regulations and his goal was “just to get things into compliance.”

Finnegan, who as mayor has the authority to make appointments, wasn’t impressed. He named two others to the seven-member board and reappointed Dale Hoosier. Council member Darcy Hansen pointed out one of the appointments, which must be approved by the council, was not a resident of Ellsworth, as required.

Council member Jessica Kootz suggested the mayor appoint Walsh because of his interest and willingness to serve.

“I’m curious as to why that’s a bad thing,” she said.

Finnegan refused and suggested any complaints Walsh had be discussed outside a public council session.

The issue was eventually tabled until the council’s next meeting. As a result, the library board will meet Monday without a quorum.

In other business:

• Local law officers Joshua D. Green and Jeffrey R. Weigel were promoted to the rank of sergeant following the retirement of Capt. Kenny Bernard.

Chief Emil Halfhill praised the two for their service to Ellsworth, calling them “great examples of what I want my staff to be.”

• City attorney Melissa Miller received praise from Stambaugh, who recommended she be reappointed, a suggestion accepted by the council.

• Other appointments included: Callie Haxton, city clerk; Angela Mueller, treasurer; Joseph Travnichek, water and sewer superintendent; Delvin Bettenbrock, building inspector; Ronnie Tenbrink, recreation director; Emil Halfhill, police chief; and Patrick Hammel, golf course superintendent. Peggy Svaty was reappointed municipal court judge.