Hays Post
Eligible voters have until June 6 to register for next month’s special election, which will ask Hays USD 489 constituents for a 1 percent increase to the local option budget.
Ballots are scheduled to be mailed June 10 for the school’s special question, which proposed to increase the LOB from 30 percent to 31 percent — a move that would generate an additional $200,000 for the district’s budget. Ballots must be returned by noon June 27, and the Ellis County Clerk’s office will keep as running tally as they are returned by voters.
Legislative changes this year actually would slightly reduce the amount the district would collect if the LOB would go unchanged, said Superintendent Dean Katt.
According to figures provided by the district, the 1 percent increase to the LOB would result in a $2.30 annual increase for the owner of a $100,000 home.
This spring’s school funding compromise approved by the Legislature also would allow the district — should the June LOB question be approved — to increase the LOB to either 32 percent or 33 percent for one year only.
Katt said the board has considered that possibility, but nothing has been determined.
The one-year-only increase to 32 percent would generate approximately $400,000 in new revenue, with the owner of a $100,000 home paying an additional $67.85 annually. A 33 percent LOB would generate nearly $600,000 in revenue, with the owner of a $100,000 home paying an additional $133.40 over the course of a year.
The USD 489 Board of Education has said new revenue could be used to help reduce elementary school class sizes, expected to grow after the district made the procedural moves to reduce staff by 16 in 2014-15. The board also recently approved as series of new or increased fees for everything from workbook/materials to busing.
Katt is in the midst of a talking tour touting the benefits of the LOB increase. The last stop before ballots are mailed will be at noon June 2 before the Hays Rotary, but Katt will continue to speak with community members about the issue though at least June 17. Click HERE for the talking tour schedule. He also spoke at length with Eagle Community Television recently on the issues facing the district. Click HERE for the wide-ranging interview.
In addition to the mail-in ballot, voters also have until July 15 to register for the Aug. 5 primary election, and until Oct. 14 to register for the Nov. 4 general election.
Following is a list of Ellis County voter registration locations. For more information, call the Ellis County Clerk’s office at (785) 628-9410.
ELLIS COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION LOCATIONS
ELECTION OFFICER: Donna J Maskus
1. Ellis County Clerk’s Office, 1204 Fort St, Hays
Hours: 8-5 M-F 785-628-9410 Contact: Donna J. Maskus
2. Hays City Clerk’s Office, 1507 Main St, Hays
Hours 8-5 M-F 785-628-7300 Contact: Brenda Kitchen
3. Ellis City Clerk’s Office, 815 Jefferson, Ellis
Hours 8-5 M-F 785-726-4812 Contact: Amy Burton
4. Victoria City Clerk’s Office, 1005 4th St, Victoria
Hours 8-12 & 1-5 M-F 785-735-2259 Contact: Mary Pfeifer
5. Hays Public Library, 1205 Main St (Main Front Desk), Hays –
Hours Summer 9-7 M-Thurs.; 9-7 F; 9-5 Sat. & Winter 9-9 M-Thurs.; 9-6 F, 9-5 Sat.; 1-5 Sun. 785-625-9014 Contact: Eric Norris
6. Ellis City Library, 907 Washington St, Ellis
Hours 12-8 M-T; 12-6 Fri & 10-2 Sat; 785-726-3464 Contact: Pam Newton
7. Link Inc., 2401 East 13th St, Hays
Hours 8-5 M-F; 785-625-6942 Contact: Chris Hunziker
8. Dept for Children & Family, 3000 Broadway Ave., Hays
Hours 8-5 M-F; 785-625-6568
9. Kansas Dept of Health & Environment, 2301 East 13th, Hays
Hours 8-5 M-F 785-625-5663 Contact: Elaine Adams
10. Ellis County Health Department, 601-B Main St, Hays
Hours 7-5 M-T; 7-12 noon F; 785-628-9440 Contact: Butch Schlyer
11. Children’s Center, 94 Lewis Dr, Hays
Hours 7:30 – 5:30 M-F 785-625-3257 Contact: Susan Bowles
12. Kansas Veteran’s Affairs Commission, 205 E 7th St, Suite C, Hays
Hours 9-12 & 1-4 M-F 785-625-8532 Contact: Joe Denton
13. Kansas Dept of Revenue, Division of Vehicles – Drivers License Examiner
1222 Canterbury Dr, Hays Hours 7-5:45 T-F; 785-296-6834 Contact: Deanna Staab
14. Schoenberger Nursing Agency, 106 West 10th, Ellis
Hours Irregular – Contact by Phone – 785-726-3568 or 785-625-8189
Contact: Marlene Schoenberger
15. ARC of Central Plains, 116 East 11th St, Hays
Hours 10-12 & 1-2 M-F 785-628-6512 Contact: Beth Pfeifer
16. Fort Hays State University, Memorial Union, 600 Park St, Hays
Hours M-S 8 am -10 pm Sunday 1 pm – 10 pm 785-628-5311 Contact: Student Government
17. Woodhaven, 1412 East 29th St, Hays 785-625-2400
Hours 8-5 Contact: Amy Bird
18. SKIL, 510 W 29th St, Suite A, Hays 785-628-8019 Hours 8-5 M-F; Contact: LouAnn Kibee