Hays City Commission Summary
Week of August 14, 2026
City adopts new debt collection ordinance
Commission establishes housing district for Lincoln School redevelopment
Sales tax exemption approved for Lincoln School project
City backs state tax credit application for Lincoln School fourplexes
Special benefit district created for Tallgrass housing expansion
Magnolia Estates secures tax credit allocation for senior low-income housing
Proactive water policy discussed ahead of R9 transfer
City adopts new debt collection ordinance
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the use of private debt collection agencies to recover unpaid utility and property abatement bills. Previously, the city relied on the Kansas State Setoff Program, which took up to five months and only captured state-distributed funds like lottery winnings and tax refunds. The new policy mirrors a system already used by the city's municipal court, allowing private collection agencies to pass a 30 percent collection fee directly to the delinquent customers, ensuring the city does not incur additional legal or collection costs.
Commission establishes housing district for Lincoln School redevelopment
HAYS, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for the former Lincoln Elementary School property, which was closed by Unified School District 489 in 2025. Local developer Michael D. Graham Rentals LLC plans to remodel the 100-year-old building into 26 market-rate apartments and construct seven fourplexes on the adjacent open space. The pay-as-you-go housing district will capture an estimated $1.08 million in property tax increments for up to 25 years to reimburse the developer for an estimated $4.3 million in eligible costs on the $6.35 million project.
Sales tax exemption approved for Lincoln School project
HAYS, Kan. — In a related 5-0 vote, the city commission approved a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for the Lincoln School redevelopment project. The bonds will not require taxpayer commitment or affect the city's debt limit, but will provide the developer with a sales tax exemption on construction materials. The exemption is estimated to save the developer approximately $96,000 in the city's portion of sales taxes.
City backs state tax credit application for Lincoln School fourplexes
HAYS, Kan. — The city commission unanimously passed a resolution supporting developer Michael Graham's application for the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit program. The developer is seeking $840,000 in state tax credits to help fund the construction of the seven fourplexes on the Lincoln School property. The state program designates $8 million in credits for counties with populations over 25,000, and if awarded, the funds would be provided directly to the developer to offset construction costs.
Special benefit district created for Tallgrass housing expansion
HAYS, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously authorized the creation of a special benefit district to finance infrastructure improvements for 24 new residential lots in the Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6 development. GK Real Estate Development, LLC, petitioned for the district to cover an estimated $1.6 million in street, stormwater, water and sanitary sewer improvements. Under city policy, the developer will pay 30 percent of the costs upfront, with the remaining 70 percent assessed to property owners within the newly created district over a 20-year period.
Magnolia Estates secures tax credit allocation for senior low-income housing
HAYS, Kan. — During the meeting, it was announced that Housing Opportunities Inc. received a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation for the Magnolia Estates project. The development, which will be located at 2600 Canterbury Drive, will feature 20 low-income housing units dedicated to seniors aged 55 and older. Commissioners praised the long-anticipated infill project as a vital addition to the community, noting that construction is expected to begin soon.
Proactive water policy discussed ahead of R9 transfer
HAYS, Kan. — During the meeting, a desire was expressed to develop proactive water conservation policies ahead of the impending arrival of the R9 Ranch water supply. Concerns were raised about ensuring regulations are in place to prevent excessive water consumption by large corporations once the supply is connected. It was also noted that demonstrating good stewardship of the water could show good faith to higher courts and state authorities regarding the city's long-term water management plans.
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