Hays City Commission Summary
Week of May 29, 2026
Commission approves downtown Airbnb grant application in 3-1 split vote
State representative secures historic water bill for Hays and Russell
Rep. Wasinger and commission spar over public school special education funding
City awards $511,411 contract for 23rd Street waterline replacement
City annexes East 41st Street property and rezones it for industrial development
Hays Regional Airport sees record passenger boardings in April
Commission approves downtown Airbnb grant application in 3-1 split vote
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission voted 3-1 to sponsor a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant application for downtown property owner Tim Speno, of One Twenty Seven Investments, to renovate the vacant second floor of 1012 Main St. into three Airbnb units. Speno will provide a $90,626 match for the project, which will update the 1917 building's exterior and install modern utilities. The decision sparked a lengthy debate, with one commissioner objecting to the use of taxpayer funds for a private investment and suggesting the developer seek bank financing. However, the majority supported the project, emphasizing the importance of downtown revitalization, filling vacant buildings and capturing federal grant dollars locally.
State representative secures historic water bill for Hays and Russell
HAYS, Kan. — State Rep. Barbara Wasinger announced the passage of House Bill 2433, a local control bill that paves the way for a long-term water source for Hays and Russell. Wasinger detailed her lobbying efforts in both the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate to secure bipartisan support for the legislation, which faced only two opposing votes in the House. The legislation marks a major milestone for the region's water security by reaffirming state authority over water transfers and stripping individual counties of the power to block state-approved transfers. Final implementation of the pipeline project still awaits a Kansas Supreme Court ruling regarding a lawsuit by the Water Protection Association of Central Kansas (WaterPACK), an agricultural group challenging the transfer of the 7,000-acre R9 Ranch's water rights from Edwards County.
Rep. Wasinger and commission spar over public school special education funding
HAYS, Kan. — A legislative update from state Rep. Barbara Wasinger prompted a debate over public school funding when commissioners questioned whether the state was fully funding special education. Wasinger argued that the state spends over 60 percent of its revenue on schools and contended that, in her view, school districts are directing funds away from special education. Commissioner Shaun Musil, noting he is married to a special education teacher, politely disagreed with her assessment, arguing that local educators still require more funding to support their students. Representatives for USD 489 Hays could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the funding assertions.
City awards $511,411 contract for 23rd Street waterline replacement
HAYS, Kan. — Hays city commissioners unanimously approved a $511,411 contract with J Corp to replace a problematic waterline along 23rd Street between Lincoln Draw and Fort Street. The city has experienced at least nine breaks along this stretch, predominantly in the middle of the night during winter months, causing significant overtime for public works crews. The winning bid came in roughly $89,000 under the project's $600,000 budget, which will cover the new waterline, fire hydrant upgrades, new meter installations and concrete street replacement.
City annexes East 41st Street property and rezones it for industrial development
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission unanimously approved the consensual annexation of property located at 1375 E. 41st St., situated just north of Interstate 70 and east of Vine Street, and subsequently rezoned the tract from an agricultural district to a light industrial district. Property owner Cathy Braun voluntarily requested the annexation, which brings the tract into the city limits to facilitate future commercial or industrial use and aligns with the city's comprehensive plan. The annexation ensures the city will have enforcement authority over stream buffers, stormwater management and a 100-year floodplain that Braun intends to protect and build around, while commissioners noted a preference for industrial development given the site's floodplain constraints and lack of readily available sanitary sewer infrastructure.
Hays Regional Airport sees record passenger boardings in April
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays Regional Airport recorded its highest number of April passenger boardings in history, Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser announced during a routine progress report. Bielser also highlighted several other city accomplishments, including the deployment of four Hays firefighters to assist with wildfires in southwest Kansas, infrastructure repairs utilizing 117 yards of concrete, and the city's ongoing recognition as a Tree City USA for the 47th consecutive year.
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