By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Preparing the draft version of the annual city of Hays budget is nearly a year-round job.

After hearing funding requests from outside agencies, and two reviews of the 2019 draft, city commissioners will take one more look at the proposed budget Thursday during their regular meeting and are expected to set a public hearing date of Aug. 9.

Mayor James Meier is “really pleased” with the budget which maintains the mill levy at 25 mills.

Despite a projected one percent decline in sales tax revenues and a half percent decline in total assessed valuation, a new pay plan for all 181 full-time city employees is included for 2019.

“We’re also still fully funding our reserves, and we’re putting cash aside to pay for big projects,” Meier pointed out. “We’re implementing a new pay plan for our employees to take care of them and increasing the amount to $11,000 (from $9,500) per employee to provide for their health insurance benefits package.

“I think this is a great product.”

The other commissioners echoed Meier’s praise during their work session last week.

Shaun Musil also specifically thanked City Manager Toby Dougherty.

“Toby, you put this to the department heads and tell them how it has to come in. Then you bring it to us. It is what you say it is,” Musil said. “Once it gets to us, it’s where it is.”

“I appreciate your leadership on that.”

“Pretty impressive,” added Sandy Jacobs who participated in the work session via telephone while out of state.

The Capitol Improvement Plan for 2019 includes:

• AIRPORT
  • Replacement of snow removal equipment
• PARKS DEPT.
  • Sidewalk improvements around Rolling Hills Park
  • Municipal tennis court resurfacing
  • Restroom at Hickock Park
  • Play equipment at Rolling Hills Park
• STREETS
  • Improvements along Elm, Ash, and 4th Streets near and north of Lewis Field Stadium
• STORMWATER
  • $75,000 budgeted for stormwater structure replacements
• WATER PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION
  • Waterline improvements on Milner between 5th and 8th Streets
  • Waterline improvements on 6th Street between Pine and Montgomery ditch
  • Fire hydrant additions and relocations
• WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE
  • $400,000 for sewer line repair and replacement
• FLEET REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE
  • 2 unmarked police car replacements
  • Replace mower at Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course
  • Purchase double-drum asphalt compactor and pickup in Public Works Service Division
  • Purchase dump truck, 2 pickups and small SUV for Water Resources