By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners will begin working on the proposed 2026 budget as they hear requests for funds from outside nonprofit organizations during their work session this afternoon.
Asking for city allocations are
• Fort Hays State University Hays Scholarship Program for Scholastic Achievement-$100,000 (same as 2025)
• Grow Hays-$180,000 (same as 2025)
• The Bricks-$54,000 (same as 2025)
• CARE Council-$180,000 (same as 2025)
The results of the public opinion poll regarding fireworks use in Hays will be presented by James Bell, public relations officer.
Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, will present the design/build agreement and guaranteed maximum price for Phase 2 services of the new police department and municipal court to be built in Astra Bank, 1100 Fort.
Astra Bank is constructing a new facility at 27th and Main.
PWC, Hays, has presented a guaranteed maximum price of $5.9 million to renovate the existing Astra Bank, giving the police station more than twice the operational space it currently has.
Also on the agenda is a proposal to raise fees for the first time in 20 years at the city's two cemeteries, Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Mount Allen Cemetery.
The following increases are proposed
A proposed low bid for a new LED marquee sign for the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2700 Vine, will be presented by Melissa Dixon, executive director. Commercial Sign, Hays, is the low bidder at $44,773.
Kim Rupp, director of finance, will discuss the city's 2025-2026 property/liability insurance policy renewal.
The renewal premium is a 30% increase from the year before, but the city's insurance broker, Insurance Planning Inc., Hays, concluded the current provider, MPR, offered the lowest cost option, according to Rupp.
In notes to city commissioners, Rupp said it is staff’s intention to actively pursue the remarketing process for the renewal in 2026-2027.
The complete June 5 agenda is available here.
The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.