By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Hays City Commission chose to move forward with a proposed pay increase for city commissioners at Thursday night’s work session.

Earlier this spring, outgoing Commissioner Kent Steward approached the idea of increasing the commissioners’ salary to $1,500 per month — currently, commissioners earn $150 per month.

Steward called the idea “revolutionary” and said that most people cannot afford to work a regular job and serve on the commission, and this would make it easier for people to run for the commission.

“If we raised our pay here to a level that I think is fitting for what we do and what we have to deal with,” Steward said, “I think it would open up that possibility for a lot of people.”

He added if people were to serve on the commission in place of working overtime or taking a second job, “I think that it would make the Hays City Commission a lot less elite than it is.”

City Manager Toby Dougherty presented the commission with a list of 53 cities and the monthly compensation for elected officials and the mayor.

Hays’ $150 per month ranked near the average of $132. Topeka elected officials make the most at $833.33 per month.

Commissioners Shaun Musil and Ron Mellick said they would support a much smaller increase, such as $50 to $100.

Musil said when he first ran he did not know the commissioners got paid but said it “is an honor to be elected.”

The commission also discussed the possibility of waiting until the next election cycle, two years, for the increase to go into effect.

The commission will come up with a proposed salary and implementation date at next week’s meeting.

Steward, Mellick and Henry Schwaller’s term on the commission are up this year. Only Schwaller, who did not take part in Thursday’s discussion, is seeking re-election in Tuesday’s vote.