By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At Thursday’s Hays City Commission meeting, commissioners are expected to vote on accepting the 2013 audit report from Adams, Brown Beran, and Ball.

State law requires each municipality to have an outside agency review the operating finances of each city annually. According to the memo sent to commissioners, the audit “represents an unbiased opinion of  business practices and the financial soundness of all city funds.”

Ken Beran and Melissa Romme from ABBB are scheduled to make the presentation to commissioners.

Commissioners also are scheduled to vote on using money from the city commission financial policy projects fund to help fund SkyWest Airline’s initial marketing campaign. When the city recommended the selection of SkyWest Airlines, it obligated $50,000 from the fund for marketing assistance.

The city is recommending that the commission authorize $25,000 to help with the initial marketing campaign. According to Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno, the remaining balance likely would be used to help market the commercial air service next year. Other agencies such as the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development and the Hays Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are also committing funds to help with marketing.

SkyWest is scheduled to begin air service at Hays Regional Airport on Aug. 1. The airport has been without commercial air service since this spring.

Commissioners also will consider scheduling the 2015 budget public hearing for Aug. 14.

The Hays City Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. For a complete agenda, click HERE.