By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The one person who showed up to speak during Thursday's public hearing on the 2024 proposed budget for the city of Hays requested a reduction in the mill levy of a couple mills.
Ken Kennedy has made the same request of the Ellis County Commission and Hays USD 489 school board.
Kennedy is most concerned about his total tax bill and a large increase in valuation, which has been the case the past few years.
But it's the county and state that set property valuations; the city has nothing to do with the process.
Commissioners unanimously approved the 2024 budget and its 25 mill levy, which has remained the same for the past 15 years.
Assessed valuation is up 12% for the city. The mill levy for USD 489 will go down, but the increase in valuations means higher taxes for school district patrons.
Lowering the mill levy "is easier said than done," said Shaun Musil, mayor. "But don't think your comments have fallen on deaf ears. I've had many people ask why can't we do the cut."
Musil, owner of the Paisley Pear, Wine Bar, and Market in downtown Hays, agreed with Kennedy that "as a resident, as a business owner, we're all feeling it right now."
Musil, along with the other four commissioners, each said they're pleased with the budget and the scrutiny that goes into it by department heads and city staff.
"I think there's some efficiencies we can find but I also think you guys run very good organization here," Musil said.
"(Maybe) we can find a little bit to cut; I think we can. But I don't want to put the commission five years down the road in dire need."
"I look at this budget very closely every year. ... I wish we could cut across the board," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor. "But I also know how important services are in this community, how important it is to economic development, how important it is when we're attracting businesses and people to this community.
"It's a scale that needs to be balanced very carefully."
Musil noted that Hays is one of just a few communities in northwestern Kansas that is growing.
Commissioner Reese Barrick talked about the R-9 Ranch long-term water project, its big costs, and the need to add two employee positions.
"Normally, we wouldn't be hiring more employees, but it's going to benefit the whole community," Barrick said.
Barrick also talked about the city's strategy of paying cash for big projects.
"We're avoiding bonding and bigger (mill) increases by keeping roads paved and sewers cleaned out."
Toby Dougherty, city manager, commended the commissioners on their approach to finances.
"Funding reserves, paying for things with cash, staying proactive, those are important," said Dougherty.
In other business, commissioners also approved a resolution for setting a public hearing Oct. 26 for establishment of a tax increment financing district, known as a TIF, for a new travel plaza to be built by Triplett, Inc., Salina, just north of the Interstate 70 Exit 157.
The developer will also be asking the city for a community improvement district and industrial revenue bonds for the project, expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.
The 9,000 square foot travel plaza and convenience store to be operated under the 24-7 Travel Store brand will include 12 gas fuel positions and five diesel fuel positions, electric vehicle charging stations, a restaurant in the travel plaza, a dog park, and RV overnight camp sites.