By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
More redevelopment and growth north of Interstate 70 is in the works for the city of Hays.
JTL Leasing (Lewis Auto Group) has purchased two tracts near the intersection of East 41st Street and Sherman Avenue.
Lewis plans to utilize the existing building at 655 E. 41st St., formerly Vernie’s Toys 4 Trux, for a mechanic/service shop and to build a structure in the vacant lot across the street to the west.
The properties are just outside the current city limits.
Requests have been submitted for annexation into the city and for rezoning of the two tracts from general commercial to light industrial.
Annexation would provide the city with more property and possibly sales tax, said Curtis Deines, planning and development superintendent, at Thursday's Hays City Commission work session.
"The rezoning request is compatible with the surrounding area according to the city's future land use map," he said.
The Hays Area Planning Commission has already approved the requests.
The properties have water and sewer available at each site. They are part of the Home Depot Addition built in 2003 to serve future development in the area.
Commissioners will vote on the requests at their August 9 meeting.
The draft 2025 budget was again reviewed.
A project was added for HVAC upgrades at the Parks , Public Works, and city hall buildings. The systems are an average of 25 years old.
The $1.55 million dollar project will be funded through the Commission Capital Reserve account and will not impact the city's operational budget, said Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.
Mayor Shaun Musil said he had received calls from some residents wanting to know why the city didn't lower its mill levy since assessed valuation went up 4.2%.
The mill levy is remaining at 25 mills, where it's been for several consecutive years.
"We do hear you. We do understand that you want us to lower it," Musil said. "But it's just not smart right now to do it.
"In my opinion, if we lower the mill levy, yes, it saves this year, but in two years when everything goes up, we have to jack the mill levy up."
"I think Collin and the staff do a great job with the budget. ... We're taking care of our employees and it costs more to take care of them.
The budget contains a programmed 2% step and 3% cost of living increase for all city employees.
"Lowering the mill levy right now is not sustainable," said Toby Dougherty, city manager.
"You look at the capital improvement plan, the new police station and municipal court infrastructure investment you want to make, and then just the basic cost increases we have to absorb within those levy funds. Even short term, [a mill levy decrease] is not sustainable."
The proposed 2025 budget is available on the city's website.
Commissioner Alaina Cunningham attended the work session by phone.