By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Immediately after approving the minutes from their previous meeting, Hays city commissioners Thursday night formally recognized 22 city employees for their long-time service.

Mayor Eber Phelps presented 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 year service awards as Finance Director Kim Rupp read a short narration of each person’s career.

Those employees who were present shook hands with the governing body and had their pictures taken with the city commissioners.

The 2015 Hays employee service recognition included the following:

5-Year Awards
Erin Giebler – Erin Giebler joined the City of Hays in 2010 as the HR Assistant. A year later
she was promoted to Director of Human Resources.
Johnny Rupp – Johnny Rupp started with the Solid Waste Division in 2010 and continues to
serve as a Recycling Collector.
Travis Hageman – Travis Hageman began with the Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer
Firefighter in 2009. In 2011, Travis was promoted to a Full Time Firefighter.

10-Year Awards
J.B. Burkholder – J.B. Burkholder joined the Hays Police Department in 2005. In 2011 he
was promoted to a Uniformed Investigator until 2015 when he took over his current position,
Investigator.
Greg May – Firefighter, Greg May, was hired by the Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer
Firefighter in 2005 and joined the department full time the following year.
Mark Augustine – Mark Augustine began in the Parks Department as a Parks Maintenance
Worker in 2005. Mark was promoted to a Parks Technician in 2009.
Stan Moore – In 2005, Stan Moore joined the Police Department as an Animal Control
Officer and continues to serve the City in this position.
Toby Dougherty – Toby Dougherty joined the City of Hays in 2005 as the Assistant City
Manager. In 2007 Toby was appointed City Manager.
David Vilaysing – David Vilaysing began his employment with the Hays Police Department
in 2005 as a Police Officer. In 2014, David was promoted to Police Corporal for the City of
Hays.

15-Year Awards
Keith Mermis – Firefighter, Keith Mermis, joined the Hays Fire Department in 2000.
John Braun – In 2000, John Braun was hired by the City of Hays as an Engineering
Technician. In 2003 John was promoted to the Engineering Superintendent and later that year
he took over his current position of Assistant Director of Public Works.
Troy Basgall – Troy Basgall began his career at the City of Hays as a Refuse/Recycling
Collector in 2000. In 2007 Troy was promoted to a Refuse Driver.
Marvin Honas – Marvin Honas was hired in 2000 as the Solid Waste Superintendent.
Marvin has been serving in this position for the last 15 years.
Brian Dawson – Brian Dawson began working as a Police Officer in 2000. In 2001 he was
promoted to a School Resource Officer. In 2010 Brian was promoted to Police Lieutenant and
the following year he took over his current position, Assistant Chief of Police.

20-Year Awards
Dustin Degenhardt – Dustin Degenhardt joined the City of Hays in 1995 as a Refuse
Collector. In 1998, he moved to the Service Division where he served as a Maintenance
Worker I, Maintenance Worker II, and his current position, Equipment Operator.
Aaron Dome – Aaron Dome began at the Water Treatment Plant in 1994 where he held
positions as a Plant Trainee, Plant Operator I, and Plant Operator II. In 2006 Aaron joined the
Hays Fire Department as a Firefighter. Today he serves as Fire Lieutenant.

25-Year Awards
Jeff Gerstner – Jeff Gerstner was hired at the City of Hays in 1990. He has served the City
in multiple roles throughout his 25 years. Jeff has served as a Refuse Collector, Meter Reader,
Maintenance Worker II and his current position as Utilities Equipment Operator.
Dave Bunger – David Bunger began with the Hays Police Department in 1989 as a Police
Officer. In 2005 he took over the responsibilities of a Police Investigator and in 2008 he was
promoted to Police Detective.

30-Year Awards
Carolyn McCollum-Scantlin – Carolyn McCollum-Scantlin began with the City of Hays in
1985 as a Dispatcher. She was promoted to Communications Sergeant in 2003 and in 2012
she took over her current Director of the Communications Center duties.
Kurt Arnhold – Kurt Arnhold began as a Utilities Worker in 1985. In 1992 he was promoted
to a Meter Reader and in 2003 he was promoted to a Maintenance Worker II where he has
served the Service Division and, most recently, the Solid Waste Division.

35-Year Awards
Brenda Kitchen – City Clerk, Brenda Kitchen, was hired by the City of Hays’ Clerk’s Office
in 1980. She has held the Account Clerk I, Account Clerk II, Deputy City Clerk, and City Clerk
position.

40-Year Awards
Lori Hertel – In 1975, Lori Hertel joined the City of Hays’ Clerk’s Office. She began as an
Account Clerk I and was promoted to Account Clerk II before taking over her current position,
Accounting Specialist.