By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners will hear requests for city funding from outside agencies during their work session Thursday.
Most of the nonprofits agencies have kept their requested amounts for 2027 the same as last year.
Two of the groups have substantially increased their asks, while one lowered its request.
DSNWK ACCESS Transportation which received funding from the CARE Council through 2026, has asked for $190,531 from the city, up $108,031 from the $82,500 they received in 2026.
ACCESS Public Transportation recently announced it will discontinue its Sunday ride service beginning July 1 due to budget constraints.
Also asking for more money is the Ellis County Historical Society, from the $21,116 it has been awarded each year since 2023, up to $31,700, an increase of $10,584.
The CARE Council is asking for less in 2027, $92,000 instead of the $97,500 it received in 2026. That's a decrease of $5,500.
Furnishings for new police station/municipal court
Construction of the new police station, in the former Astra Bank at 11th and Fort, is nearing 50% completion with a planned opening in the late fall.
Collin Bielser, deputy city manager, will present a request to begin acquiring fixtures, furnishings and equipment for the facility, not to exceed $850,000.
Included in the request will be IT infrastructure, with fiber optic network connectivity and a variety of security measures, training room equipment and standard office furniture.
Proceeds for the already issued bonds will finance the purchases. Staff estimates the overall project will be below the budgeted project cost of $8.9 million.
The complete June 4 agenda is available here. The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.