By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At Thursday’s Hays City Commission meeting, Mayor Henry Schwaller signed a proclamation recognizing professional city management at state, national, global and local levels noting “the citizens of Hays have been fortunate to benefit from professional management, ethical integrity, and sound fiscal practices because of (the city council-manager form of government).”

Several cities across the world are signing similar proclamations to recognize city managers and to celebrate the International City/Council Management Association’s 100-year anniversary.

“Success in local government relies on the city commissions to determine policies and city managers to carry them out,” said Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno. “Together, we work to balance efficiencies and fairness, while being responsive to the community needs.”

According to Schwaller, Hays’ first city manager was hired over 90 years ago in 1919. Schwaller also noted the form of government helps the city of Hays run more efficiently because it removes day-to-day operations from politicians.

“We’ve found that that’s very good because we get to hire professional people. Services are done by people that are skilled and competent at what they do, rather than being appointed by political patronage,” Schwaller said.

The commission recognized Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund, Stockton City Manager Keith Schlaegel, Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty, Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno, and Public Works Director I.D. Creech, who used to serve as an administrator.