By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Effective today, Dec. 1, all Hays City Commission meetings and work sessions will begin at 4 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs recently suggested the earlier start time, which she says will more easily allow city staff and others to attend the meetings during typical work day hours.
"The reasons include better employee/work life balance, which is really important to me," she said.
"Most of our meetings are done within 90 minutes. ... If we have this meeting at 4 o'clock in the afternoon instead of 6:30, we wouldn't be keeping any staff — those who sit here or come before the commission — past what is the normal business day," Jacobs said.
City employees are paid overtime when they attend a meeting outside of their normal working hours.
Other than first responders, most employees of the city work 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays.
Jacobs predicts staff will more regularly attend commission meetings other than when they are required to be there for an agenda item.
"Just to come and be part of it and hear [us] directly," she said.
She also noted it would be more convenient for other people attending commission meetings or work sessions representing a business during normal business hours.
The commission will continue to meet the first four Thursdays of each month.
Commissioner Shaun Musil and Vice-Mayor Michael Berges voted against the meeting time change.