By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Work site and micro-utility task vehicles are now allowed to be driven on Hays streets following a unanimous vote at Thursday's city commission meeting.
Ellis County Commissioner Neal Younger brought the request and public support petitions to the city in April. The proposed ordinance changed several times as city commissioners discussed the issue during work sessions.
"People are spending thousands of dollars on these units and could not drive them in Hays," Younger said, "but the surrounding cities had this in play."
Ellis, Victoria, Stockton, Plainville, Rush Center, Russell, Ness City and Dodge City allow UTVs on their streets. They are also permitted on Ellis County rural roads.
The side-by-side vehicles are prohibited by state law from traveling on U.S. Highway 183/Vine Street, but may cross the road whether in the city or county.
Younger expects more people will now purchase the qualified UTVs, resulting in increased sales tax revenue for the city of Hays. Owners of BOS Motorsports and Briney Motorsports in Hays spoke in favor of the ordinance at a previous meeting.
And as a bonus, "when they're in town, they're going to shop, so, more sales tax," Younger said.
The new ordinance will be a convenience to Younger and other people like him.
"Most of the time I use mine [UTV] on the farm ... and when I need a piece of equipment on the farm, I can jump in it and run to wherever I need to be in Hays and get a part. It's going to be a good advantage."
The UTV drivers must be at least 18 years old.
Registration, inspection and annual tags for UTVs will be handled by the Hays Police Department via the city's website. According to Brian Dawson, asst. police chief, temporary tags will be issued to Hays drivers beginning next week until the actual plates are available next month.
ATVs and golf carts are not allowed on city streets.
In other business, commissioners:
* Approved the next step in nuisance abatements at 607 Elm Street and 3312 Lincoln Drive. Jesse Rohr, public works director, noted about 85 percent of the nuisance items at the Lincoln address had already been moved by the property owner.
* Heard an update of key performance indicators of SkyWest/United at Hays Regional Airport as compiled by the city's aviation consultant, ArkStar. Jamie Salter, airport director, said passenger boardings have rebounded more quickly than predicted following the 2020 COVID pandemic. "We're on pace for 1,300 enplanements in July," Salter told commissioners. "In July 2020, there were only 218 boardings."
* Heard the June financial statement from Kim Rupp, finance director. Rupp said there was a "wonderful increase" in retail sales tax collections and the city's share of the new Ellis County sales tax was tracking "better than thought." Year-to-date general fund sales tax collections are at $4,056,187, up 9.8% compared to last year. Month-to-date county sales tax collections were at $87,555 with the year-to-date total at $491,679.
* Heard a progress report of city departments' recent projects and activities from Collin Bielser, asst. city manager.
* Hays resident Zach Wolf spoke during citizen comments about the dearth of childcare providers in Hays, especially for infants younger than 18 months. Mayor Sandy Jacobs said the city expects to be working with Grow Hays to improve the situation.