By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners are expected to move a proposed Commercial Improvement District at the Hays Mall to a future meeting after the public hearing next week.

The issue was brought up during Thursday night’s Hays City Commission work session after Mayor Henry Schwaller said he will be absent at the Oct. 23 meeting to graduate from Leadership Kansas. Commissioners said, depending on the circumstances, they would likely move the item to the next commission work session for further discussion.

“Commissioner Mellick said a couple of months ago that we’re all pretty collegial and cooperative with each other,” Commissioner Kent Steward said. “If we let each other know that, like (Henry) just did, then even though I don’t think I’m going to like your vote, I think we should all be able to vote because that’s what we were elected to do.”

The Mall’s owners are proposing approximately $3 million in renovations at the structure, which would be funded via a 1 percent increase in sales tax on sales generated on the mall property.

DP Management recently released new details about the mall improvements.