Hays local news summary
Week of January 10 2025
Commission elects Ruder new mayor
Cunningham named vice mayor
Newly elected commissioner sworn in
Jacobs transitions from mayor to commissioner
Ruder calls for 'civic renewal' in 2026
Commission sets sights on tax relief and innovation
Outgoing mayor reflects on community resilience
R9 water project remains top priority
Police praised for traffic control at schools
Solar farm developer outlines timeline for Tallgrass project
Protest petition triggers unanimous vote requirement for solar permit
Negotiations begin on 'payment in lieu of taxes' for solar project
Commission scrutinizes road use agreement for heavy construction
Resolution passed to enforce bridge weight limits
Commission elects Ruder new mayor
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission unanimously elected Mason Ruder to serve as mayor during its reorganization meeting on Jan. 8. Nominated by Commissioner Alaina Cunningham, Ruder takes the gavel from outgoing Mayor Sandy Jacobs. In his acceptance speech, Ruder emphasized the historical significance of the upcoming year—marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Volga-German settlers in Ellis County—and called for community unity and celebration during the historic milestones.
Cunningham named vice mayor
HAYS, Kan. — Following the selection of the mayor, the commission voted 5-0 to elect Commissioner Alaina Cunningham as vice mayor. Ruder nominated Cunningham for the position, citing her service to the body. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously, concluding the brief reorganization process.
Newly elected commissioner sworn in
HAYS, Kan. — David Vilaysing took the oath of office Thursday, formally joining the governing body as its newest member. A former police officer, Vilaysing was welcomed by colleagues who noted his history of public service. In his opening remarks, Vilaysing praised department heads for being "resourceful," calling city staff the "backbone of the city," and pledged to support their efforts in maintaining high-quality services for residents.
Jacobs transitions from mayor to commissioner
HAYS, Kan. — Sandy Jacobs concluded her term as mayor but will continue to serve the city as a commissioner. In her farewell address as mayor, Jacobs emphasized that "titles may change, but values don't," reaffirming her commitment to servant leadership. She reflected on the commission’s recent successes on the R9 Ranch water project. Ruder praised Jacobs for her tenure, specifically highlighting her fiscal stewardship and her significant role in the development of The Grove Community Center.
Ruder calls for 'civic renewal' in 2026
HAYS, Kan. — In a prepared address following his election, Ruder urged residents to reject cynicism and engage in local government, referencing the nation's upcoming semiquincentennial. He stated that the commission would launch a "declaration of civic renewal" aimed at renewing trust through transparency. "I will not let cynicism become the language of this city," Ruder said, challenging the community to view disagreement not as division but as a necessary part of the democratic process.
Commission sets sights on tax relief and innovation
HAYS, Kan. — During commissioner comments, Vilaysing urged city departments to embrace resourcefulness to lower costs for taxpayers. He cited a recent example where the fire department built necessary tools using supplies from a hardware store rather than purchasing expensive, state-of-the-art versions. Vilaysing encouraged all departments to utilize grants and innovative thinking to ease the financial burden on the community while maintaining public safety.
Outgoing mayor reflects on community resilience
HAYS, Kan. — Before stepping down from the mayoral seat, Sandy Jacobs reflected on the community's resilience, specifically citing the local response to the death of Sgt. Scott Heimann, a Hays police officer killed in the line of duty in 2025. Jacobs noted that leadership extends beyond the commission chambers, having witnessed neighbors supporting neighbors and organizations stepping up during times of need. She cited these moments as proof of the community's strength and ability to heal through cooperation.
R9 water project remains top priority
HAYS, Kan. — The commission reaffirmed its commitment to the R9 Ranch water project, with multiple commissioners citing it as a critical focus for 2026. Vilaysing noted that city management and the Water Resources Department are "making milestones" in getting water to Hays. Outgoing Mayor Sandy Jacobs also reflected on the strides made regarding the project during her tenure, listing it alongside housing and economic growth as key achievements.
Police praised for traffic control at schools
HAYS, Kan. — Vice Mayor Alaina Cunningham commended the Hays Police Department and city staff for their presence at local schools to manage traffic flow. Cunningham specifically noted efforts at the high school and the new middle school to assist the school district with logistical challenges. She highlighted the collaboration as a key step in ensuring student safety and smooth transit during the start of the new term.
Solar farm developer outlines timeline for Tallgrass project
HAYS, Kan. - Representatives from IBV Energy presented a detailed overview of the proposed Tallgrass Solar Farm, a 175-megawatt project spanning roughly 1,800 acres in Ellis County. Steven Link, representing IBV, told commissioners the project targets a construction start date in the first half of 2027, with full operation expected by 2028. Link said the site was selected due to available transmission capacity and a favorable permitting environment, noting the project will not include battery storage systems.
Greg Loving
Protest petition triggers unanimous vote requirement for solar permit
HAYS, Kan. - A valid protest petition filed by neighboring landowners will require the Ellis County Commission to reach a unanimous 3-0 vote to approve the conditional use permit for the Tallgrass Solar Farm. County Counselor Bill Jeter confirmed that the petition met the statutory requirement of signatures from 20 percent of eligible landowners within the notification buffer. If any commissioner votes against the permit in future meetings, the application will be denied.
Negotiations begin on 'payment in lieu of taxes' for solar project
HAYS, Kan. - County Administrator Darin Myers confirmed that negotiations are underway regarding a "payment in lieu of taxes" (PILOT) agreement with IBV Energy. Because state statute limits tax abatements for renewable energy projects to 10 years, the county is negotiating a fixed payment amount per megawatt to offset the loss of property tax revenue during that period. Myers noted that these funds could be used for road improvements or general fund offsets, but a final dollar amount has not yet been agreed upon.
Commission scrutinizes road use agreement for heavy construction
HAYS, Kan. - Commissioners and Public Works Director Brendan McKay discussed the necessity of a road use agreement to protect county infrastructure during construction of the proposed solar farm. The project is expected to generate significant traffic from tractor-trailers delivering equipment. The proposed agreement would require the developer to fund pre- and post-construction road surveys and maintain an escrow account to reimburse the county for any road or bridge damage during the 18-to-24-month construction phase.
Resolution passed to enforce bridge weight limits
HAYS, Kan. - To comply with federal regulations and close out a 10-year local bridge rating program, the commission unanimously approved Resolution 2026-01, establishing enforceable weight restrictions on county bridges. Public Works Director Brendan McKay reported that 193 structures have been load-rated and signed. The resolution allows the Kansas Highway Patrol to ticket drivers who exceed posted weight limits.
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