By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Before the Ellis County space needs committee can do any more work, it needs a commitment from the Ellis County Commission to use its property at 22nd and Vine streets in Hays.

The committee discussed the possibility of moving EMS and rural fire services to the location Wednesday, but hesitate to continue discussions until the commission makes a decision.

If the county commission decides to use the property for the county's space needs, the committee would like the county to hire an architect or engineer to look at the existing buildings to see if they could be used.

"I think it comes down to -- can you cost-effectively remodel this versus build new?" committee member Tom Wasinger said. "I think that's a legitimate question."

The main building on the property is approximately 3,300 square feet that could be gutted and would require at least new plumbing, asbestos removal and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The space could be doubled by putting a second floor in the building, Wasinger said. That space would meet the needs of Ellis County EMS with the exception of ambulance bays that could be constructed on other parts of the property.

EMS director Kerry McCue said he liked the location because it still would be in the center of Hays with access to main roads from the property.

The committee plans to discuss the issue with county commissioners at their next public building commission meeting in December.

The space needs committee next will meet Dec. 2 to discuss the jail's space needs.