By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A short agenda Thursday for the Hays City Commission was highlighted with updates of the R9 long-term water supply project for the cities of Hays and Russell.
John Braun, project manager, told commissioners the route survey for the 63-mile-long planned pipeline from the Edwards County ranch to just south of Hays is finished.
The pipeline will be constructed following county roadways in Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Ellis counties. A fair market value assessment of compensation to be offered to landowners is currently underway.
Pipeline design is about 60% completed, with 90% completion expected in May.
Braun also reviewed the status of potential outside funding sources for the $140 million project, including grants, low-interest loans, bonds and technical assistance.
Chris Smith, R9 property manager, talked about last year's successful participation in the state's walk-in hunting area program.
Informational billboards about the hunting program and the ranch have QR codes encouraging visitors to shop in Edwards County and Hays.
Smith said compilations from the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau showed an 18% increase in sales tax revenue for Edwards County over the prior year.
"That's what we want," said Commissioner Shaun Musil. "The city of Hays is giving to that area, not taking away from it. ... This is a regional project, and Kinsley is part of our region."
City Manager Toby Dougherty updated the commission on the regulatory and legal proceedings regarding scheduling the water transfer hearing with the state panel.
"We hope they set that very soon so we can get moving with this project," Dougherty said.
"We're very confident they're going to approve the transfer application, which has already been approved by the hearing officer."
In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement media filter for the wastewater reclamation and reuse plant. The bid of $48,087 from Evoqua Water Technologies, Waukesha, Wisconsin, is below the $70,000 budget.
They also heard a 2024 year-in-review presentation for the Ellis County Historical Society from Amanda Rupp, executive director. The nonprofit organization receives city funding.
Rupp also talked about projects the museum will undertake in 2025.
Finance Director Kim Rupp reviewed the city's December financial statement.
Overall, sales tax revenues were up about 1% in 2024, which was in line with the budget. Total expenditures finished the year $281,000 under budget.
A 40-minute executive session was called to discuss personnel matters related to non-elected personnel as well as those related to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, or individual proprietorships.
No action was taken following the executive session.