By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The city of Hays has ramped up its online presence and constituent communications since hiring its first public relations manager, James Bell, one year ago.
"This is something I really thought we needed in this community," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner, following a year-in-review presentation by Bell during Thursday's work session.
Bell said," I like to think of social media as the town square, and traffic in 2025 was pretty heavy."
Jacobs said, "What I love is, people that I've spoken to, they no longer have to go hunting for (information) because you're already ahead of that for them. ... I don't have near the number of people calling me asking when their trash is going to be picked up on holidays."
Facebook is overwhelmingly the most popular platform used by followers of the city.
Seven other social media platforms are also used by Hays.
"(These) help us reach a demographic that is younger and definitely not engaging in news websites or newspapers or legacy media," Bell said, "but they are very much willing to watch a 30-second video of a firefighter giving a safety demonstration or sharing a tip."
Reaching more people of diverse ages and backgrounds with helpful information and promoting the city were among the goals the commissioners set.
"I like how you're looking at the next generation," said David Vilaysing, commissioner. "We're a bunch of gray-haired people sitting up here, but the younger generation is into TikTok, and that's always going to be changing."
"Us being able to give factual information regarding things like the R9 (water project), I think, is just invaluable," said Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor.
Shaun Musil, commissioner, said, "I think it makes us more transparent.
"It's a lot easier to see what's going on in the city of Hays. ... They're short, quick, and to the point, and I think that's the most important part."
Jacobs said the ease of accessing information was even more important to people considering visiting or moving to Hays.
2026 Street Maintenance Plan
Bids for the seven projects in the 2026 street maintenance program came in lower than expected.
Jesse Rohr, public works director, presented the bids to city commissioners, noting that the total was almost $136,000 under budget. Rohr said the remaining funds will be used for additional curb and brick repairs and pavement markings.
Commissioners approved the plan and bids as presented.
The largest project will be replacing several concrete panels on Fort Street between 22nd and 27th streets.
The other major rehabilitation project scheduled this year is the reconstruction of the 500 block of Oak Street.