By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Outside agencies have requested $556,116 in funding next year from the city of Hays, an increase of $71,616 over 2022.
Six groups made their 2023 budget presentations during last night's city commission work session.
The Hays Chamber is asking for $45,000, the first time the group has requested city funding.
Sarah Wasinger, executive director and CEO, said a significant challenge, just like many other businesses, is maintaining the chamber's workforce. There are three staff members currently, with the administrative assistant's position open.
Mike Morley, past board chair, noted the chamber began an advocacy role in the community three years ago. The chamber has taken a leadership role in efforts for more childcare, pre-K through 12 school infrastructure, housing, workforce, and access to quality healthcare.
"Advocacy is going to be very important for the progress of Ellis County, and being able to stabilize our time for these different initiatives is really where we focused our efforts," Wasinger told the commission.
"We do have some things that we're looking at in the background that hopefully within the next two to five years we'll be able to stabilize our own budget without coming to the city for a request for funds," she added, "but ultimately that $45,000 is what allows us to finish next year in the black and still be able to focus on these initiatives."
Following significant cutbacks in city funding the past two years amidst staff vacancies, deteriorating artifacts, and mold-filled headquarters, the Ellis County Historical Society has reorganized and is seeking $21,116 from Hays for 2023. It received just $3,000 from the city in 2022 and in 2021, along with a directive to reassess its mission.
The Downtown Hays Development Corporation is asking for a smaller increase of $6,000 for a total of $60,000. The Wild West Festival request of $10,000 is just $500 more than last year.
The CARE Council, which represents a number of social services, wants $170,000, an increase of $2,000.
Funding requests unchanged from 2022 came from Fort Hays State University of $100,000 for the City of Hays Scholarship Program, Grow Hays at $180,000, and the Hays Arts Council for $15,000.
Dr. Joey Linn, FHSU vice president for student affairs, noted the Kansas Board of Regents had just approved the university's tuition and fee rates which will not increase for 2022-2023.
Despite the declining student enrollment trend nationwide, Linn said there are indicators FHSU will see a larger freshman class and increases in the number of students living on-campus.
Representatives from each agency talked about their partnerships throughout the county and explained how they made an impact on Hays' economic development.
Commissioner Shaun Musil thanked the groups for what they do for the community.
"We're all in this together. I don't know how we fund it. We're going to have some tough calls," Musil said.
"Things are different now. We have to change as things change. If we stay the same we won't ever grow, and I'm not willing to just stay the same."
A $60,000 budget request was submitted for alcohol tax funds, but it is not part of the social services, economic development or quality of life budgets.
Action on the requests will be taken as part of the 2023 budget adoption process.
In other business, commissioners discussed:
* Property/liability insurance coverage renewal for 2022/2023. Midwest Public Risk (MPR) provides the lowest cost option for renewal of the city’s package. The outcome translates into an 11% increase or $30,063 more than the prior period. Insurance Planning, Hays, provides oversight for the city as the insurance broker.
* Proposed Unified Development Code (UDC) amendments for 15 changes presented by Jesse Rohr, public works director. The UDC was adopted in 2016 and is considered a "living document" to be updated as changes are recognized.
* Resolution setting a public hearing to establish a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) at 4th and Fort. The developer, Turn-Key Properties LLC, wants to construct four structures containing 36 apartments directly west of the former Washington Elementary School. The public hearing would be scheduled for July 28.
* Early redemption of Series 2004-A bonds, known as the Home Depot TDD Bonds. According to Kim Rupp, finance director, it would save the city approximately $32,000 in interest and free up the 0.5% retail sales tax in the Home Depot area to be receipted back to the city's general fund 18 months earlier than projected.