By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
There's a new operating fund in the city of Hays's proposed 2024 budget, specific to the R9 Ranch long-term water project.
The public hearing for the water transfer process, the first time it will be triggered in Kansas in its current form, is underway in Wichita and is anticipated to continue through Aug. 2.
The newly established budget for the R9 Ranch was created to support activities related to the development and operation of the R9, which is owned by the cities of Hays and Russell.
Among the initiatives planned for next year are review and approval of designs by engineers Burns and McDonnell, Wichita, to the 60 percent complete stage for the wellfield and 65-mile pipeline between Edwards County and Hays.
Roadway surface at the ranch will be improved, and work will continue to return the land to native grass.
The capital improvement plan includes a planned $5 million in land acquisition for the project.
The mill levy is kept at 25.000 with assessed valuation up 11.6 percent.
Sales tax revenues, which are the primary funding source for the city's general fund, are projected to be up 4.6 percent in 2023 and another 3 percent higher for 2024.
City employees will receive a 2 percent step raise and a 3 percent cost of living increase. They will also get $11,000 each to procure health insurance.
Three additional employees will be hired, a project manager and a property manager for the R9 Ranch and a management analyst position for the city manager's office.
Solid waste customers can expect to see a slight increase in the monthly rate for refuse collection, with a proposed rate increase for 2025 to ensure the solid waste reserves remain sustainable.
In anticipation of constructing a new $12 million police station at 0 Main Street, $900,000 is in the capital improvement plan for design work expected to begin in 2024.
The capital improvement plan also includes $722,000 for design and reconstruction of the crosswind runway at the Hays Regional Airport. This is a 10 percent match for the project required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
An upgrade to the current water metering technology will be made, for which $1.5 million is budgeted to pay for 30 percent of the costs.
Deputy City Manager Colin Bielser presented the draft 2024 budget to Hays city commissioners, who will continue to review it during work sessions on Aug. 3 and 17 prior to the Sept. 14 public hearing.