Phelps: ‘April elections work well for Hays City Commission’ (VIDEO)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Name plates for the new Hays City Commissioners are placed by city finance director Kim Rupp Thursday night. — Name plates for the reorganized Hays City Commission are placed Thursday night by city finance director Kim Rupp.

Newly-elected Hays mayor Eber Phelps welcomed the newest city commissioners to the governing body Thursday night. Phelps was first elected to the Hays City Commission in 1990 and then went on to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives for 15 years.

Lance Jones and James Meier are serving their first-ever terms in a public office.

Local city, county and school board elections were held April 2 in Kansas. Phelps told the new commissioners “that’s the best way to do it.”

“I know there’s talk (by the Kansas legislature) of moving local city elections to the fall, but believe me, the way we do it now is great. (April) is when we start embarking on the budget process in Hays and this is when you can really learn about the community. It’s a really interesting process to go through,” Phelps said.

Phelps was quick to praise city staff involved in the budget process.

“In comparison from 25 years ago until now, it’s amazing the preparation that goes into each of our meetings. The budget process to me is interesting, and I guess you could say, a lot less painful,” he added.

Commissoners Jones and Meier will soon begin tours of city departments to familiarize themselves with the city’s operations.