By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays City Commissioners had to consult their attorney regarding parliamentary procedure when they voted 3-1-0 for a resolution provided by the Kansas League of Municipalities which opposes Kansas Senate Bill 171.

The final bill, with some amendments, was passed by the Senate 21-18 Thursday night and sends the measure to the House.

SB 171 would move city and local school board elections from spring to the fall of odd-numbered years.  One amendment keeps those elections non-partisan. Another amendment requires local tax and bond issue votes to be held in primary or general elections and not in special elections.

A number of cities have already passed the resolution along with more than 194 school districts, according to the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Hays city commissioner Shaun Musil voted against the local resolution.  “I don’t agree with the bill but I just don’t see where this does anything for us,” he said.

Outgoing commissioner Kent Steward abstained.  “I’m not for the bill and I don’t oppose it. I see pluses and minuses in having local elections in April and I see pluses and minuses in moving them (to November.)

“I don’t know if I’ve ever done this before, but as an expression of my complete disinterest in this, I’d like for the record to show that I abstain,” Steward said.

City attorney John Bird interjected an explanation of parliamentary procedure. “You don’t need three votes to pass a resolution. All you need is a majority, and the abstention is counted with the majority,” Bird said.

Supporters of the measure argued it will increase turnout in local elections because people are used to voting in November during state and national elections. Municipal and school board elections currently are held in April, with primaries in late February or early March. Turnout is typically quite low.

Critics of the bill said there’s no compelling reason for a change and it will cause administrative problems for local officials.

Vice-Mayor Phelps, who served 16 years in the Kansas House, said “with every piece of legislation there’s a fiscal mark. It seems to me there’s no cost-savings (with this bill.)”

Friday was Turn Around Day for the state Legislature.