Hays local news summary
Week of September 14 2025
City Commission Approves 2026 Budget, Holds Tax Rate at Revenue Neutral
“Pay-As-You-Go” Philosophy Underpins City’s Financial Health
Report Shows Hays Remains a Top Regional Retail Destination
City Plans for Future Infrastructure, HVAC Upgrades in 2026
Airport to Undergo Planning Study, Acquire New Equipment with Federal Aid
Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex Playground Set for $160,000 Upgrade
Commission Hears Success Story of Tallgrass Housing Project, Debates Incentive Tool
County Approves $750,000 Rural Road Safety Grant Project
City Commission Approves 2026 Budget, Holds Tax Rate at Revenue Neutral
HAYS - The Hays City Commission unanimously approved the 2026 budget on Monday, opting to maintain a revenue-neutral property tax rate after a last-minute adjustment saved taxpayers nearly $200,000. Citing fortuitous bond timing and a strong city credit rating that resulted in lower-than-expected interest payments, Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser presented a path to lower the mill levy to 24.382 mills. A resolution to exceed this rate died for lack of a motion during a public hearing. This marks the 17th consecutive year the city’s mill levy has been at 25 mills or less. Commissioners praised city staff for their fiscal diligence, noting that the savings were achieved without impacting city services or operations.
“Pay-As-You-Go” Philosophy Underpins City’s Financial Health
HAYS - During budget discussions, commissioners highlighted the city’s long-standing practice of funding major projects with cash rather than debt. The 2026 budget includes a transfer of approximately $2.8 million in surplus revenue to the Commission Capital Reserve. This fund is used to pay for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the recent reconstructions of Allen Street and 13th Street, without levying additional property taxes or issuing bonds. Officials noted that while the city has an internal debt limit of 15% of its assessed valuation, it currently stands at only about 10%, preserving its bonding capacity for major growth opportunities.
Report Shows Hays Remains a Top Regional Retail Destination
HAYS - Hays continues to be one of the state’s primary economic hubs, according to the latest “pull factor” report presented during the budget hearing. With a pull factor of 1.66, Hays ranks fourth-highest in Kansas, indicating that the city draws significantly more shoppers from surrounding areas than it loses. A pull factor greater than 1.0 means a community’s retail sales are greater than what its own population would support. This strong sales tax base is critical for the city, as it funds 63% of the general fund, which pays for essential services like police, fire, parks, and streets.
City Plans for Future Infrastructure, HVAC Upgrades in 2026
HAYS - While no major road reconstruction projects are scheduled for 2026, the city will invest in designing three future roadway improvements next year: 22nd Street (Vine to Canterbury), General Hays Road (Centennial to 27th), and Oak Street (27th to 29th). The largest capital project in the budget for 2026 is a $1.55 million allocation to upgrade aging HVAC systems at City Hall, the Parks Department, and the Public Works building. All 15 capital improvement projects planned for 2026, totaling nearly $4.9 million, will be paid for in cash from the city's reserve funds.
Airport to Undergo Planning Study, Acquire New Equipment with Federal Aid
HAYS - The Hays Regional Airport is planning for future growth with a $350,000 terminal planning study in 2026. The study comes as the airport is experiencing record passenger numbers following a new flight schedule. Additionally, the airport will acquire a new, $750,000 snow broom, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) covering 95% of the cost. The city’s share for the vital piece of equipment will be just $37,500, a benefit of maintaining Essential Air Service (EAS).
Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex Playground Set for $160,000 Upgrade
HAYS - The playground on the northeast quad of the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex will receive a major overhaul in early 2026. The commission approved a $160,000 project to replace the current storm-damaged structure with a new wood-frame structure and metal roof. The project also includes installing new pour-in-place rubber surfacing, as the existing 13-year-old matting has exceeded its typical 10-year lifespan. The work is scheduled to be completed before the start of the next ball season.
Commission Hears Success Story of Tallgrass Housing Project, Debates Incentive Tool
ELLIS COUNTY - The Ellis County Commission heard a detailed presentation on the success of the 66-home Tallgrass housing addition, a project made possible by a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID). Doug Williams, Executive Director of Grow Hays, reported the project generated a total investment of $19.3 million and an estimated economic impact of over $24 million. The land, which previously generated only $127 in annual property taxes, now supports a thriving neighborhood. The presentation sparked a discussion among commissioners about the merits of the RHID tool, which defers new property tax collection to reimburse developers for infrastructure costs. Commissioners questioned whether developments would happen without the incentive and how RHIDs compare to traditional special assessments. While acknowledging the risk, Williams and local developer Adam Pray argued that due to soaring infrastructure costs, projects like Tallgrass would be financially unfeasible for developers without the RHID, ultimately stating it is a critical tool for creating affordable new housing stock in the county.
Greg Loving
County Approves $750,000 Rural Road Safety Grant Project
ELLIS COUNTY - The county will move forward with a major road safety project after the commission approved agreements for a High-Risk Rural Road grant. The project, valued at nearly $750,000, will fund the installation of new signage and pavement striping, as well as the verification and addition of no-passing zones on nearly all paved roads throughout Ellis County. The commission approved both the engineering inspection agreement and the contract award to the lowest responsible bidder for the construction work.
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