By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners had a couple of suggestions for Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, who is looking for ideas to help bring down property taxes for Kansans and to make up for revenue losses to the state that counties and cities are having to endure.
Wasinger met with city and Ellis County commissioners this week during their regular meetings.
SEE RELATED STORY: Rep. Wasinger seeks local input on property tax relief
Having formerly served on both governing bodies, Wasinger said she was "trying not to do anything to bind your hands. It helps that I've been in local government."
Alaina Cunningham, commissioner, said, "When we eliminate sources of funding, we're just shifting the burden."
Mason Ruder, vice-mayor, pointed out the state's current "valuation structure for vacant land is cheap, and essentially incentivizing holding on to it because it keeps the tax prices low," he said. "Once you begin to develop it, then you start getting hit with high commercial property taxes. ... We're incentivizing to not build.''
Ruder and Reese Barrick, outgoing commissioner, suggested the Legislature look at a new revenue stream in the form of taxation on marijuana sales.
"People go to the states surrounding us to buy it, and we continue to use law enforcement, justices, jails and time for marijuana," Ruder said. "We could capture that tax revenue and utilize it to offset property taxes. ... It also helps communities like ours that rely on sales tax."
"Kansas used to be a state that had no alcohol sales or gambling allowed," Barrick said.
"If you want to get rid of property taxes for all Kansans, institute a 'sin tax' on marijuana," he said. "It would be new revenue."
Wasinger said she is not a fan of legalizing marijuana, except possibly for medicinal purposes.
"It's still not legal in the U.S. even if states say it's for medicinal purposes," she said.
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug and open new avenues for medical research. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded by reminding the public, "rescheduling is not the same as legalization."
Wasinger said she would take the commissioners' ideas back to Topeka. The Kansas Legislature will convene Monday, Jan. 12.
Tallgrass 4th Addition
Jesse Rohr, public works director, presented recommended bid awards related to the new Tallgrass 4th Addition housing development in east Hays, a joint venture between Heart of America Development Corporation and the city.
The low bidder for street, storm sewer, water and sanitary sewer improvements was Hess Services, Hays, at slightly more than $4 million. Rohr also recommended a construction inspection agreement with Sloan Engineering and Inspection, Hays, for $196,000.
Platting and zoning of the proposed 101-lot development were completed in early 2025. The project is planned to be built in one phase beginning in March.
I-70, Exit 161
A rezoning request from agriculture to commercial general district and annexation of the city-owned 90 acres on both sides of Interstate 70, Exit 161, was presented by Rohr. The south side acreage is the site of the city's tree farm, which Rohr said would be relocated as development gets underway.
A $3.9 million contract for the installation of water, sewer and street infrastructure has already been approved with Smoky Hill, Salina.
Funding for construction services will be paid from general obligation bonds. A portion of the project will be funded with a $2 million state grant acquired by Grow Hays.
The initial new infrastructure would serve about 11 buildable lots, ranging in size from 2 to 8 acres, for commercial and residential development.
Commissioners are expected to vote on all six agenda items at their meeting next week at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Hays City Hall.