Hays City Commission to consider incentives for Lincoln School housing project, debt collection changes
Commissioners to review 54-unit residential development and new utility debt recovery ordinance during Thursday work session
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Sign up freeHAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission is scheduled to review multiple development and financial items during its Aug. 6 work session, highlighted by an economic incentive package for a multimillion-dollar housing project at the former Lincoln Elementary School.
Developer Michael Graham plans to convert the school building into 26 apartments and construct seven fourplexes on the property, creating 54 new housing units.
To support the $6.35 million project, the developer is seeking a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District that would generate an estimated $1.08 million over 25 years to reimburse $4.3 million in eligible construction costs.
The commission is also slated to consider a resolution of intent to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds for a sales tax exemption and city support for $840,000 in Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits.
A public hearing on the housing district is set for Aug. 13.
Commissioners are also scheduled to review a proposed ordinance that would allow the city to hire a private collection agency to recover $30,787 in unpaid utility and property abatement debts.
Currently, the city relies on the Kansas State Setoff Program, which staff noted has been largely ineffective because it only collects funds if a debtor receives state payments like an income tax refund or lottery winnings.
If approved, the new ordinance would mirror the municipal court's practice, allowing the collection agency to pass its fees directly to the debtors without incurring additional attorney or court costs to the city.
Other agenda items include establishing a special benefit district and approving a $31,500 engineering agreement for the 24-lot sixth phase of the Tallgrass First Addition, as well as a comprehensive review of the 2027 municipal budget led by Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser.
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