By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The final scheduled review by Hays city commissioners of the draft 2027 budget is Thursday during the commission work session.
On September 10, a revenue neutral rate public hearing will be held during the regular commission meeting along with approval to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Those will be followed by the budget public hearing and approval of the 2027 budget.
The draft budget is available on the city's website.
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Lincoln School housing project
Commissioners will also discuss advances to two housing projects, the former Lincoln School and Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6.
Economic development incentives requested by Hays developer Michael Graham for the historic Lincoln School and its grounds, 1906 Ash, involve an ordinance establishing a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID), a development plan of housing and public facilities in the district and approval of a development agreement.
Graham plans to renovate the former Lincoln School building into a 26- unit apartment complex and construct seven additional structures on the property, with four living units in each structure.
Also requested is a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for a state sales tax exemption for the project and a resolution of support for Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits (KHITC) of $840,000.
Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6
GK Real Estate Development, LLC, Ellis, has petitioned the city for street, stormwater, water, and sanitary sewer improvements to an area of 24 lots in the Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6 through the use of a benefit district. The area includes Rolling Hills Drive, and portions of East 19th and East 20th Streets.
The engineer’s estimate for total construction costs is $1.6 million.
This would be the developer's first project in Hays but it has been active in Ellis for many years, according to information supplied to the city commission.
A resolution will be considered to establish the benefit district along with an engineering services agreement with Driggs Design Group, Hays, for $31,500.
Debt collection services
Jami Breit, city clerk, has requested to utilize a collection agency for utility and abatement debts to the city. All fees associated with the collection agency would also be assessed to the customer.
Currently, the city uses a program through the State of Kansas for debt collection purposes, but Breit has told commissioners it is not as effective as desired. More than $30,000 is owed in outstanding debts by city customers.
City staff wants to replicate the process already used by Hays Municipal Court, which has a better success rate, according to Breit.
The change would require adopting a new ordinance.
The complete Aug. 5 agenda is available here.
The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.