By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Public hearings will be April 9 for two economic development incentives requested by Triplett, Inc., Salina, to build a 24/7 Travel Store at Interstate 70, Exit 159.
Hays city commissioners heard information during Thursday's work session about ordinances to adopt a 20-year, pay-as-you-go Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and to create a 22-year, pay-as-you-go Community Improvement District (CID) levying a 2% CID sales tax.
Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager, said the developer estimated the TIF District would generate about $4.5 million, and the CID sales tax would generate about $2 million.
The developer has also requested the issuance of industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) to finance the $11.1 million project for a sales tax exemption on purchases related to the construction of the travel store. The IRBs are estimated to provide a benefit of $125,687.
Once open, the travel store is anticipated to create $5 million in annual taxable retail sales and $20 million in annual gas/diesel sales.
Kuckelman said the full-service travel plaza and convenience store would be similar to one recently built in Russell. Triplett already operates a smaller 24/7 Travel Store at 3601 Vine in Hays.
The commissioners will vote on the ordinances at their April 9 meeting.
One-way streets in downtown Hays
There's not enough benefit to drivers to warrant the almost $2 million it would cost the city to convert the five one-way streets in downtown Hays to two-way streets.
That was the conclusion of city staff who cited loss of parking and the need to install new railroad crossings and another traffic signal. City commissioners agreed, saying the issue is "dead in the water" and "put to bed."
2027 city budget preparation
The 1% growth in city sales taxes in 2025 did not keep up with the 2.7% national inflation rate.
Revenue for the city's general fund is primarily funded by the city's 2.5% local sales tax.
Collin Bielser, deputy city manager, discussed the preparations for the 2027 draft budget.
He noted major cost increases for the city since 2018. Chemical expenditures were up 89% since 2018, while property and liability insurance coverage jumped 146%. Computer software costs increased 44% during that same time.
Vehicle costs are also going up. Bielser said a typical utilitarian pickup, purchased in 2011 for $18,000 and with a 15-year lifespan, had a $48,000 replacement cost in 2026.
Bielser also discussed increases in national tariff rates and the desire to lower or cap local property tax rates in Kansas.
Kansas lawmakers passed a bill late in the session, which the governor was awaiting action on, that would allow taxpayers to submit a protest petition if property taxes increase by more than 3%.
"Where would that money come from? What are people going to be willing to give up to do things like this?" said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner.
"It's going to hurt small communities," said Mason Ruder, mayor. "Because small communities don't have a large tax base to provide that tax relief and find money elsewhere."
Governor Laura Kelly is widely expected to veto the bill.
Bielser has given department heads directives to maintain operations in 2027 and develop contingency plans.
"Depending on what happens with all the economic situations and the uncertainty of property taxes, we may have to be a little more mindful than we have been," Bielser said.
"And that's everybody's job," Jacobs said. "Not just us sitting here, but every resident, every business in the community."
She encouraged residents to interact with commissioners and city staff on the budget.
"We can't think of everything," Jacobs said.
Commissioner David Vilaysing, a retired Hays police officer, challenged department heads to talk to their staff for input on the budget.
"They're the ones out there every single day," Vilaysing said. ... "They can figure out what we're doing that we don't need to be doing."
The city has maintained high standards in providing services to residents, said Toby Dougherty, city manager.
"But if it's not sustainable, you have to figure out how to continue what you're doing, but you're going to have to reduce it a little bit," he said.
Ruder pointed out that the city is required by state and federal statutes to provide some specific services.
In addition to typical services, the city provides funding to a number of outside nonprofit social service agencies.
"My fear is they'll be asking for more money," said Shaun Musil, commissioner, "and what happens if we don't give it to them and they don't provide the services they currently do? I don't want that to happen."
Commissioner Alaina Cunningham said it's important for the public to know early about next year's budget considerations.
"While it's great to cap your property taxes, it's going to affect the city in other ways. ... There's some amenities that could potentially have to go, that no one's gonna want to see go."
Ellis County Historical Society
Amanda Rupp, Ellis County Historical Society executive director, provided an update on upcoming summer activities and exhibits at the Hays City Museum, as well as progress at the Ellis County Heritage Center in Victoria.
Executive session
At the end of the regular meeting, Dougherty called for a 30-minute executive session with the commission, deputy and assistant managers and city attorney staff for consultation with the city attorney for matters related to attorney-client privilege.
No action was taken.
Proclamation
Prior to the meeting, Ruder read and signed a proclamation declaring April 22, 2026 as the 100th anniversary of the local Courtney-Spaulding Chapter of the national society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Hays.