By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners unanimously voted Thursday to approve a request from the planned new Chick-fil-A restaurant for industrial revenue bonds (IRBs).
That would allow the developer to obtain a sales tax exemption on all purchases related to the project's construction, estimated at $66,875. No property tax abatement is requested.
The incentive uses the city as a conduit, with the developer responsible for payment obligations. It does not affect the city's debt limit or rating.
The $6.2 million project is planned to be built this year at 3404 Vine, the site of the former Rodeway Inn.
Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager, said the developer estimates the restaurant's initial annual retail sales at about $5.5 million. At the city's current sales tax rate of 2.25%, that would generate about $123,750 in average annual sales tax revenue for Hays.
The restaurant expects to hire up to 17 people.
Sewer cleaning and inspection
Jeff Crispin, director of water resources, reviewed the low bid for the 2026 sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection from Dakota Municipal Solutions of Moorhead, Minnesota, in the amount of $133,028. The budgeted amount was $150,000. The remaining $17,000 will be used for heavier cleaning, tap intrusion removal, root removal and patching.
The city maintains about 115 miles of sanitary sewer lines and cleans and inspects about 22 miles of them each year.
This year's project covers northeast Hays, which was last treated in 2021.
Centrifuge maintenance
Crispin also presented the low bid for a 10,000-hour maintenance service of the centrifuge at the Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility, Highway 40 and General Custer.
The bid of $48,600 from the authorized manufacturer in Germany is below the $50,000 budget. The maintenance representative is based in Wichita.
Setbacks for carports
Current Unified Development Code regulations require a 5-foot side yard setback for all accessory structures, including carports.
Following a significant number of recent variance requests, Jesse Rohr, public works director, said the Hays Area Planning Commission is recommending reducing the side yard setback for carports from 5 feet to 3 feet.
Fire, property maintenance, electrical code updates
The city periodically updates its building codes to account for advancements in structural integrity, fire and life safety, property maintenance, and electrical safety. They were last updated in 2017.
Rohr said the revised codes will incorporate the latest advancements in structural integrity and technology, increase fire and life safety, and ensure accessibility and energy efficiency.
Financial statement
Kim Rupp, financial director, presented the February 2026 financial report. He noted month-to-date general fund sales tax collections were at $1,029,720, an increase of 10% as compared to last year. The numbers are primarily from December 2025 retail sales. The last time the general fund sales tax topped $1 million for the month was in September 2022.
The commission unanimously approved all agenda items.
Other business
ā¢ Approved a cereal malt beverage license for the Wild West Festival
ā¢ Approved Mayor Mason Ruder's appointments of Ian Trevethan and Emmy VanDerWege to the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee
ā¢ Heard a report of rural technology updates from Nex-Tech representatives
ā¢ Heard the monthly progress report from Collin Bielser, deputy city manager
ā¢ Heard a preview of April events and activities in Hays from Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director
Watch the March 26 city commission meeting below.