By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners unanimously approved the 2021 budget Thursday night following a public hearing with no comments made.
Amidst financial uncertainty in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there are still a number of constants in the budget.
An overview was presented by Collin Bielser, assistant city manager.
"It is a balanced budget," Bielser began, "and reserves are adequately funded.
"We maintain 25 mills for the mill levy, which is its 11th year running, and we maintain the 181 full-time equivalent employees."
City employees will receive a 2 percent wage step increase next year.
"Sales tax revenue is projected to be down 1 percent," Bielser said. "Assessed valuation will be up 1 percent, though."
Transient guest tax revenue next year is projected to take a bigger hit, down 19 percent from the 2020 budget.
The city expects to receive $13.4 million in total revenue for 2021. That includes Hays' $700,000 share of the quarter-cent Ellis County sales tax, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2020.
Total operating expenditures in 2021 are $12.5 million.
Commissioner Mason Ruder commended city staff for their efforts.
“It takes a lot of work to be able to tighten your belt," Ruder noted.
"You come before us with a budget that doesn’t eliminate services, doesn’t increase taxes, keeps things moving forward, and putting money back in the bank is a pretty daunting task," Ruder said.
A lot of the credit goes to city employees, said Commissioner Ron Mellick, and that ultimately benefits all Hays residents.
"Our employees are out there working every day. They're the ones that ultimately keep this city running efficient and that saves us money, whether it be guys on the front line or all of our employees not abusing their health benefits, which helps keep our rates down," Mellick said.
"That helps them. That helps us. That helps everybody in town with that budget."
Mayor Shaun Musil is pleased city services and staff remain intact.
"There's many cities that had to cut services very quickly, and staff, when COVID hit.
"You and your staff kept plodding along," Musil said to Toby Dougherty, city manager.
"It wasn't like you didn't cut anything," Musil pointed out. "But we didn't have any impact on services.
"We're not standing still," Musil said. "We're moving forward."