New Hays City Commissioners sworn in to office (VIDEO)

Hays City Clerk Brenda Kitchen swears in new commissioners Lance Jones, Henry Schwaller IV and James Meier are sworn in as Hays City Commissioners Thursday night. — New Hays City Commissioners Lance Jones, Henry Schwaller IV and James Meier are sworn in to office Thursday night by City Clerk Brenda Kitchen.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The three men recently elected to the Hays City Commission were sworn into office Thursday evening by City Clerk Brenda Kitchen.

Lance Jones, Henry Schwaller IV and James Meier raised their right hands and repeated the oath of office administered by Kitchen, swearing to “support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of city commissioner of the city of Hays, Kansas.”

The governing board was then reorganized with Eber Phelps elected as mayor and Shaun Musil elected as vice-mayor.

After special thanks and recognition of outgoing commissioners Kent Steward and Ron Mellick, the new commission conducted a public hearing for special assessments in the Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition and in 46th Street 2nd Addition. Both areas are west of Hall Street and north of 41st Street.

There were no audience comments.

gavel down — Hays Mayor Eber Phelps brings down the gavel at the end of Thursday night’s meeting of the new Hays City Commission.

Commissioners then unanimously approved an ordinance levying special assessments to the property owners for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and street improvements, which are already completed.

Forty-Sixth Street Second Addition will be a 15-year assessment of $16,212.56 for each of the 28 lots. Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition will also be a 15-year assessment of $16,424.02 for each of the 34 lots in Danby Lane and Jagger Court.

The total amount of the levied special assessments is a little more than $1 million dollars.