By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Family, friends and co-workers filled the Hays city commission chambers Oct. 25 as Mayor James Meier presented awards to city employees who were marking 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35 years of service.
Finance Director Kim Rupp, who was also recognized for his 10 years with the city, announced the names of the 27 employees. They received their certificates, shook hands with commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty, and posed for pictures. Department heads also congratulated their long-term employees.
After the ceremony Meier noted “Hays has a lot of good things going on because the city has a lot of good employees, who also make us the commission look good.
“In today’s society and especially this time of year, I think it’s so easy to point out all the negatives that are happening with government at all levels,” added Meier. “And it’s harder to point out all the good things that are going on. It doesn’t make the headlines and it definitely doesn’t make the talk of the city as much.”
City of Hays 2018 Employee Service Awards
5-Year Awards
Rachel Albin – Rachel started with the City in 2013 as an Account Clerk I for the Clerk’s Office. In 2014 she was promoted to Account Clerk II.
Evan Cronn – Evan began as a Part-Time Police Officer in 2013. Then, in 2014, was promoted to a full-time position.
Lyle Pantle – Lyle joined the City as a Volunteer Firefighter in 2013. He was appointed to a Career Fire Fighter position the next year.
Rachel Kraus – Rachel has been with the City since 2013. She started as a Communications Officer and became the Shift Lead earlier this year.
AJ Hill – AJ started with the City as a Maintenance Worker for the Service Division. He then transferred to the Water Plant in 2014 as a Plant Operator I.
Lance Koerner – Lance joined the City as a Maintenance Worker for the Service Division. In 2015 he became a Plant Operator I at the Water Plant and, in August of this year, was promoted to a Plant Operator II.
10-Year Awards
Kim Rupp – Kim’s ten years with the City has been as the Director of Finance.
Bobbi Pfeifer – Bobbi has been with the City since 2007. She began her career as a Receptionist for the CVB and was promoted to the CVB’s Administrative Assistant five years later.
Jamie Salter – Jamie joined the City in 2007 as an Account Clerk I for the Finance Office. In 2011 she took over the HR Administrative Assistant position. Then, in 2014, she became the Public Works Administrative Assistant.
Eric Borger – Eric began as a Service Maintenance Worker I for the City. He was promoted to Maintenance Worker II in 2010 and in 2016 he became the Stormwater Operator.
Kyla Jurgensen – Kyla started with the City as a Communications Officer. In 2013, she was promoted to a Shift Lead.
Eamonn Coveney – Eamonn has served as a GIS Specialist for the City for the last ten years.
Toby Alexander – Toby joined the City as a Maintenance Worker I for Parks and was promoted to Maintenance Worker II in 2011.
Brian Meis – Brian began at the City as a Communications Officer in 2008. In 2012 he was promoted to his current position as a Shift Lead.
15-Year Awards
Amy Leiker – Amy started with the City on 2002 as a Secretary for Parks. In 2013 her job was reclassified to Parks Administrative Assistant.
Janet Kuhn – Janet took the Convention Sales Manager job with the City in 2003 and is still in that position today.
20-Year Awards
Aaron Ditter – Aaron started with the City as a Volunteer Firefighter in 1998 and he was hired as a career Firefighter in 2000. Two years later he was promoted to Fire Engineer which was reclassified to a Fire Lieutenant in 2009. His latest promotion to Fire Captain was in 2011.
Andrea Windholz – Andrea joined the City as a Student Intern for the City Manager’s Office in 1998. That same year she became a Full-Time Secretary for the Community Development/City Manager Office. In 2001 she was promoted to Executive Secretary for the City Manager Office and in 2002, her job was reclassified to Executive Assistant.
Tim Greenwood – Tim began as a Police Officer in 1998 with the City. In 2010 he was promoted to Police Sergeant. His most recent promotion happened in 2015 where he became the Police Lieutenant.
Jason Bonczynski – Jason started with the City as a Police Officer in 1998. He became a Uniformed Investigator in 2008. Three years later he was promoted to Police Sergeant.
Jason Knipp – Jason has been with the City since 1998 when he became a Refuse Collector. He transferred to Service and became a Maintenance Worker I the following year. In 2001 he transferred back to Solid Waste to become a Recycling Truck Driver which was renamed in 2009 to Refuse Equipment Driver.
25-Year Awards
Tim Huck – Tim started his career with the City as a Plant Trainee for the Water Plant in 1993. In 1994 he was promoted to Plant Operator I. A year later he was promoted to Plant Operator II. His latest promotion was in 2015 where he became the Water Production and Distribution Superintendent.
Don Scheibler – Don joined the City as a Police Officer in 1993. He was promoted to Police Investigator in 2000 and then Police Lieutenant in 2005. In 2010 he was promoted to Assistant Police Chief and the following year was named Chief of Police.
Karen Randa – Karen began her career with the City as a Clerk for the Service Division in 1993. Over her 25 years she has also been the Public Works Administrative Secretary, Engineering Aide, Engineering Technician, Inspector and her current role, IT Technician.
Shawn Swift – Shawn started as a Plant Trainee for the Wastewater Plant in 1993. In 1994 he was promoted to Plant Operator I and in 1995 he was promoted again to the position of Plant Operator II.
35-Year Awards
Mike Kline – Mike joined the City in 1983 where he was a Plant Operator Trainee for the Wastewater Plant. He was promoted two years later to Plant Operator I.
Ron Rice – Ron began his career as a Maintenance Worker II for the Parks Department in 1983. In 1986 he was promoted to Tree Technician which was reclassified to Parks Technician in 1989.