Mason Ruder
NAME: Mason Ruder
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Director of Institutional Advancement of Hays Catholic Schools
INCUMBENT?: Yes
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
FHSU Student
Knights of Columbus
Chamber of Hays Ambassador
Hays City Commission
Initiator of the Youth Leadership Advisory Board to the City of Hays
Ellis County Joint Planning Commission
1. Why have you decided to run for a position on the Hays City Commission?
My mission for the City has and always will be continuing to provide services the community deserves through smart fiscal decisions and partnering with current and new business leaders for economic growth of our community.
2. What are the top three issues you believe the city will face in the next four years?
Number 1 for me is housing. We have made some progress and have identified many other opportunities to work on building more housing of all costs and styles to fit the needs of our newest community members and our current community members who all make Hays the best place to live. Number 2 would be workforce. To grow, we need people to fill houses, jobs, and classrooms. All of these people will have the opportunities to work for existing, new, or build their own businesses. Number 3 would be water. We are at the precipice of where we need to move forward with our R9 ranch. Over 30 years ago, our citizens had the foresight to prepare us for drought. In that time staff, the community, and commissioners have researched every method and implemented plans for sustainability and conservation. I am proud to be a part of the greatest water conservationists in the state. Now we need to finish this pipeline project strong to prepare us for the future.
3. Is there something you would like to see change about any Hays city ordinance or program?
We should always be exploring potential changes as times change. Our job is to ensure that our programs and ordinances provide the best outcomes for the citizens and visitors to Hays. Recently staff has been working page by page of our Unified Development Code and identifying opportunities that no longer make sense for our situation or adapting these rules to benefit the community at large. We must continue focusing on making sure our rules and regulations are up to date. We need to also continue identifying our incentive packages for development and continue working with our partners to ensure the City remain protected as much as possible while also providing the best option to incent smart development.
4. In light of increasing valuations, should the city of Hays reduce its mill levy? Why or why not?
Every budget year, we evaluate our financial situation and ensure we are being responsible with our funds. The City of Hays has remained at 25 mills (which is one of the lowest mill levies in the entire state of Kansas) for the last 15 years without raising it. The City does not run on property tax to fund the general funds like other cities. A majority of our funds come from sales tax collections that the citizens voted for almost 20 years ago. Our 25 mills are separated by: 7 mills as a passthrough to the Hays Public Library as designated by State Statute that we cannot touch, approx.9 ½ mills for employee health insurance/retirement, 1.5 mills for the airport, 2 mills for the purchase of public safety equipment, and approx. 5 mills to pay for bond and interest payments. Each Mill at the city represents approximately $400,000. So, if we were to lower the mill levy, we would need to make a decision on what to cut: employee benefits, the airport, public safety equipment, or debt payment. What we need to do to help these rising costs is increase the supply of housing to help with the demand and increase our population to spread the tax burden across a wider taxable base.
5. What experience/background do you have that would make you a good city commissioner?
I am currently finishing my fourth year on the City Commission and have served in many aspects throughout the community. I am completing my Political Leadership and Public Service degree from FHSU. I also have a Certified Public Manager certification from the KU Public Management Program and a Leadership Certificate with FHSU. I worked at the county level as an employee for 5 years where I left as the Environmental Services Director where I oversaw the adoption of the County’s new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations as well as a unified effort to revitalize the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of the City of Hays for smart growth for the next 50+ years. I now also serve on the Joint Planning Commission of Zoning for Ellis County. My experience at the local level and my relationships with State and Federal leaders are vital to have collaboration on projects and planning for the future of Hays.
6. What would you do, if elected, to attract or retain businesses to the community?
What we have started and continue to do is work alongside Grow Hays and developers/local businesses to identify ways to attract workforce and incentives to help businesses get started or identify ways to help grow current businesses. I am also exploring new and/or underutilized methods of retention/attraction that we could use to help those with the entrepreneurial spirt get started in the greatest city in the state.