By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Outside non-profit agencies representing social service, economic development, and quality of life programs in Hays have requested $599,772 in funding from the city in 2025.
The total is $31,156 more than requested in 2024.
"We won't be able to fund it all," said Mayor Shaun Musil during the Hays City Commission work session Thursday.
"As we know, sales tax has been down a little bit or flat."
Similar to the request made to the Ellis County Commission, the Ellis County Historical Society asked the Hays City Commission for the biggest increase of any agency - $21,156. That's slightly more than double the request made in 2024.
Also asking for an increase is the CARE Council. It is $10,000 more than last year.
"These social service funds support programs and services provided by health and human service organizations that compliment services provided by the City of Hays," said Erica Berges, executive director of the United Way of Ellis County.
"All of these agencies are very good," said Cindy Strube, CARE Council chairperson.
"They all work well together for persons in need. Unfortunately, the need is getting higher and the programs' services are costing more."
"Out of all the outside agencies we fund," said Musil, "I personally think CARE Council is one of the most important groups in our community. We need it."
"I think we always need to keep looking at our community," said Reese Barrick, city commissioner.
"Sure, we want to tout all the great things but we also want to look at and figure out why there are certain things that are not."
The city commission will be asked to specifically assess the outside agency funding allocations during the 2025 budget process in the coming months.
In other business, the commission:
• Agreed to proceed with a request from local veterans organizations to declare Hays a "Purple Heart City."
• Heard a recommendation to renew the city's property/liability insurance coverage with Midwest Public Risk for 2025. MPR offered the lowest cost option for the renewal of the city’s package. There is a 22.6% increase or $83,720 more than the prior period. Insurance Planning Inc., Hays, provides oversight as the city's insurance broker.
• Agreed to consider a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for the Grove Community Center. The approval will allow Grow Hays to obtain a sales tax exemption certificate for purchases related to the construction of the project.
• Heard a detailed recommendation for a bid award for new advanced water metering infrastucture.