Hays City Commission Summary
Week of April 24, 2026
Commission approves industrial revenue bonds for affordable housing
March financial report shows sales tax growth
Progress reported on major infrastructure and police station
Crisis intervention center prepares to open
Commission previews upcoming fireworks ordinance debate
Hays earns Tree City USA recognition, expands Frontier Historical Park bison herd
City gears up for summer community events
Commission approves industrial revenue bonds for affordable housing
HAYS, Kan. - The Hays City Commission unanimously approved a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for the Pioneer Run project, a proposed $9 million affordable housing development. Overland Property Group LLC is seeking a sales tax exemption on construction materials to bolster its application for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. If awarded the tax credits, the developer plans to build an affordable multi-family residential complex with related parking and internal improvements near 221 W. 43rd St. City staff noted that without the tax-credit funding, the project would likely not move forward.
March financial report shows sales tax growth
HAYS, Kan. - The city's general fund sales tax collections rose to $749,997 in March, marking a 3.5 percent increase from the same period last year and pushing year-to-date growth to 6 percent. Staff reported that expenditures were down compared with the same time a year ago, driven largely by the timing of a $933,662 payment tied to the Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility rebuild.
Progress reported on major infrastructure and police station
HAYS, Kan. - City staff reported continued progress on several infrastructure projects, including the new police station, where basement drywall work and main-level framing are underway. Staff also reported progress on a new multi-use path connection and on site work tied to the Exit 161 and Tallgrass development projects.
Crisis intervention center prepares to open
HAYS, Kan. - The new High Plains Mental Health Crisis Intervention Center in the Hadley Center was highlighted during a recent city commission meeting as a major addition to the region's behavioral health resources. The facility is designed to provide immediate care for adults experiencing mental health or substance-use crises and to offer an alternative to holding people in jail or relying on emergency rooms unequipped for specialized treatment.
Commission previews upcoming fireworks ordinance debate
HAYS, Kan. - Residents are expected to have an opportunity to weigh in on potential changes to the city's fireworks ordinance at a future city commission meeting. Ahead of the formal debate, a suggestion was made to amend current rules so the city could quickly lift a drought-related fireworks ban if significant rainfall arrives soon after a ban is imposed.
Hays earns Tree City USA recognition, expands Frontier Historical Park bison herd
HAYS, Kan. - The city of Hays was recognized again for its urban forestry efforts. In other parks news, the city's Frontier Historical Park bison herd received spring vaccinations and added several new animals as part of an effort to strengthen the long-term vitality of the herd.
City gears up for summer community events
HAYS, Kan. - The city is preparing for summer with a slate of downtown and community events, including activity at the Downtown Hays Market, programming at ARC Park and the seasonal opening of Hays Aquatic Park later in the season.
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