By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A discussion on the future of Hays Saturday kicked off with an eye on the budget.
"We don't have a lot of fluff, and we take care of what we have," Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager, said during Saturday's annual city commission retreat at Fort Hays State University.
The seven-hour meeting touched on broad discussions of where the city is now and where it wants to be in 15 years or so.
The budget
"The city is living in the gap between its revenues and total operating expenses, minus the Ellis County sales tax (of which the city gets a portion)," said Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.
Three years are remaining in the 10-year county sales tax that voters approved.
Bielser noted while city sales tax revenues were up 1% in 2024, inflation rose 2%.
The city's local sales tax primarily funds the Hays general fund.
The difference between revenues and expenditures goes into the Commission Capital Reserve fund. In 2024, $3.9 million was transferred. In 2025, a projected $1.2 million will be moved into the fund. The funds are used to pay cash for projects, including streets.
After the quick financial update, the discussion moved on to future capital improvements, keeping up with park amenities, possible STAR bond projects, the long-term R9 Ranch water project, and a proposed starting wage of $20 an hour for all city employees.
$20/hour minimum city wage
Reese Barrick, commissioner, had previously encouraged local businesses to pay all their employees a living wage of at least $20 an hour and said the city should do the same for its staff.
Information provided by Erin Giebler, director of human resources, shows 20 of Hays' 183 full-time employees are making less than $20 an hour, with their wages ranging from $17.52 to $19.89 an hour.
Considerable discussion ensued, with Mayor Sandy Jacobs taking a stand against the idea, which was tabled.
Park maintenance
Jacobs repeatedly brought up quality-of-life benefits in Hays.
"We cannot let quality-of-life slide," she said in a discussion about park maintenance.
Commissioner Shaun Musil said access to parks leads to good physical and mental health.
The 2000 parks master plan calls for all neighborhood parks to have the same basic amenities. However, even with the help of nonprofit service group sponsors, routinely replacing playground equipment is becoming a budget buster.
"Not every park needs the same swing," said Alaina Cunningham, commissioner. "We need to think outside the box on how to redesign our parks for specific groups."
Suggestions included parks for families with small children, parks for walkers, and parks that focus on natural elements such as flowers, bird watching and water.
Eastside fire station
Based on population growth and new housing trends, Bielser said another fire station on the east side of town will probably be needed within five to ten years.
"That will mean more capital, equipment and six more firefighters," Dougherty said.
No potential location for a fourth fire station was mentioned. Fire stations are located downtown at 1507 Main, in northwest Hays at 1732 W. 41st, and at the Hays Regional Airport, which the FAA supports.
Refuse collection costs
Tipping fees at the Ellis County landfill continue to rise, and the city's refuse collection trucks will have to be replaced at some point. All the trucks were purchased at the same time, but Dougherty said it's unlikely they would need simultaneous replacement.
He suggested that all cart collection points could be moved to curbside, alleviating some of the trucks' wear and tear incurred from alley pick up.
"That might help us avoid a rate increase to replace trucks," Dougherty said.
Airport use, operating expenses up
The Hays Regional Airport's mill levy is 1.5 mills, which will keep the facility operating in the black until 2028.
"We're looking at adding another mill to their operating budget, which would give us wiggle room until 2034," Dougherty said.
"It costs to fly people out. This increase is coming," he told commissioners." More passengers mean more expenses, and that's a good problem to have."
"People tell me they only fly out of Wichita or Kansas City if they can't get a flight out of Hays," said Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder in a comment on the airport's passenger growth.
"There would be real consequences to our large employers if the airport were to close," Jacobs said.
R9 Ranch water project
Dougherty's update on the R9 long-term water supply project for Hays and Russell concluded with the possibility of a small customer rate increase.
"We don't know yet what the operational costs will be, but we won't lose our conservation mindset," Dougherty said.
STAR bonds
Possible ideas for state Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds were discussed.
STAR bonds are bond financing for Kansas municipalities to develop major commercial, entertainment and tourism destinations. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.
The potential of partnering with the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and the Hays Recreation Commission was mentioned.
Commissioners also reviewed various housing and business development projects underway.
Ruder said he'd like to see the Neighborhood Revitalization Program be expanded to consider the age of facilities and not by certain property boundaries as they are now. The suggestion will be further examined at a future city commission work session.
Commissioners looked at the economic impact on the city from out-of-town visitors to popular events.
"When I think of where we were 15 years ago, I'm really proud," Musil said. "Hays has real draw power."
"We were productive today, with engaged staff and commissioners," said Jacobs at the conclusion of the retreat.
"We're keeping our eye on the budget and spending it wisely as we look to our future five and 15 years from now."