By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
As part of the governing body reorganization, a new mayor and vice mayor will be elected for Hays at Thursday's city commission meeting.
Shaun Musil currently serves as mayor, while Sandy Jacobs is the vice mayor.
Three public hearings will be conducted, including two regarding the 2025 budget.
A public hearing will be conducted, followed by a resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate of 24.116 mills in its property tax levy for the tax year of 2024. The mill levy for 2025 is 25 mills.
The budget public hearing will then be conducted, followed by its approval.
The proposed 2025 budget is $55,490,518.
The Kansas Legislature enacted a statute requiring any local taxing body to inform the public if the taxes it collects increase. This requires taxing bodies to conduct a "revenue-neutral hearing" if the tax collected will increase.
The third public hearing is for the establishment of a reinvestment housing incentive district for The Grove housing development north of HaysMed.
An ordinance establishing the district and adopting a development plan will follow.
A memorandum of understanding will be presented between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city for the award of a technical assistance grant in applying for federal financial assistance for the R9 long-term water supply project for Hays and Russell.
Hays was the only city in Kansas to receive the FEMA technical grant.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler will review three changes to the 2024 Uniform Public Offense Code and Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas cities. Changes in state statute prompted all three changes.
Changes to the Uniform Public Offense Code:
Disorderly Conduct — The portion that made engaging in noisy conduct tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others a violation of the law has been removed. The Kansas Supreme Court recently ruled this portion of the section was unconstitutional.
Possession of Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia, Controlled Substances — Amended to give people immunity from prosecution for simple possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia when rendering aid to an overdose victim.
Changes to the Standard Traffic Ordinance:
Failure to Comply with Traffic Citation — Changes are designed to reduce suspensions of driving privileges and allow people to have a restricted license. The new law also limits license reinstatement surcharge to a single fee of $100 and increases the number of non-driving violations for which a license may be suspended or restricted.
The complete Sept. 12, 2024 agenda is available here.
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.