Non-profits request funding in 2016 Hays budget

Wild West Fest volunteer Bob Swift hands out the 2015 event brochure.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The first requests by outside agencies for funding from the city of Hays next year were presented Thursday night during the city commission work session.

Each group was allotted five minutes on the agenda to make their appeals but were not actually timed by the commissioners.

“I don’t have a stop watch,” said Mayor Eber Phelps. “This is the honor system and the honor system has a five-minute limit,” he joked.

Seven groups from three areas–-Social Services, Economic Development and Quality of Life–-are asking for a total of $468,755 from the city in 2016.

The Fort Hays State University Scholarship Program is asking for a $25,000 increase from last year’s award, for a total $125,000.

Also requesting increased funds in 2016 are the Ellis County Historical Society, up $379 to a total $12,000, and the Hays Arts Council, up $818 to $12,000.

DHDC Director Sara Bloom and board member Sandy Jacobs show the newly expanded DHDC boundaries.

Funding requests from the four other groups remain the same as they received in 2015:
Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development–$87,550
Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC)–$53,655
Wild West Festival (WWF)–$9,500
Hays Sister Cities Advisory Board–$5,050

A $60,000 budget request was also submitted for Alcohol Tax funds by the United Way of Ellis County CARE Council.

The 2016 budget is expected to be completed in August.

In other business, City Finance Director Kim Rupp reminded commissioners the city will take bids for the purchase of approximately $1.01 million of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015A on Thursday, June 11, the next regular commission meeting. Commissioners must approve an ordinance and resolution to authorize issuance of the bonds.

Final versions of the ordinance and resolution, as well as final payment terms on the bonds, will be made available by George K. Baum & Co., the city’s Financial Advisor, and Gilmore & Bell, P.C., the city’s Bond Counsel after the sale of the bonds and before the Commission meeting.

The bonds will be paid from special assessment revenues received by the city as property owners within the Golden Belt 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition improvement districts pay their tax bills.

Rupp also reported the city this week received a Standard & Poor’s AA rating on the bonds.