By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Two variations of an ordinance providing for a pay increase for Hays City Commissioners were presented at Thursday night’s commission meeting.

Neither was adopted following a motion by Vice-Mayor Eber Phelps that “we do not adopt the ordinance,” which was quickly seconded by Mayor Henry Schwaller. The motion passed 3-1, with outgoing commissioner Kent Steward voting against the motion. Commissioner Ron Mellick was absent.

Steward had made the proposal last month with the idea that better pay might encourage more residents to become candidates for the city commission.

“Right now we have a staff that does yeoman’s work in making sure we commissioners understand what we’re doing up here. I think rather than worry about compensation for the commission, I think we need to make sure we continue to compensate the professional staff we have here in this municipality,” Phelps said.

“I’m also on a church board and a board downtown,” said Commissioner Shaun Musil. “It’s a choice I made. I didn’t expect to get paid. I’d feel guilty if I gave myself a raise.”

“I think the intentions are good and I appreciate that,” said Schwaller to Steward. “But as with the others, I want to put the other people in the (city) organization first.”

The five city commissioners are currently paid $150 a month.

In comparison, Ellis County Commissioners are paid $1,200 a month, according to county administrator Greg Sund. The three commissioners also are covered by the county’s health insurance plan and the state’s KPERS plan–Kansas Public Employee Retirement System.

The seven Hays USD 489 board members do not receive any compensation for their service, according to the administrative office.