By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City Manager Toby Dougherty will provide an update on a new passenger survey and catchment area study for the Hays Regional Airport during the city commission work session this evening. An outside firm was hired for the study.

Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood says the information should help in finding ways to increase usage of the Hays airport.

“It looks at all the different people that are flying in what we call our catchment area and looks at where they’re going (to fly out of),” Wood explained. “Are they going to Denver, Kansas City or Wichita? Are they going to Garden City, Manhattan? Where are they going and then why are they going there? So, the intent is, once we get through this, maybe we’ll be able to figure out how can we get some of those passengers to come back and fly Hays.”

The last catchment study of the Hays airport was done in 2012.

Health insurance for city employees in 2018 will be also be discussed.

According to Erin Giebler, director of human resources, renewal rates from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas include a decrease of 0.67% from 2017 based on the city’s expected enrollment. Staff is also recommending using $100,000 out of the Employee Benefit Levy’s Contingency fund to provide up to $700 in employer match for employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA).

The low bid of $312,000 from Smoky Hill, Salina, for construction of a new CO2 tank and feeding system for the municipal water plant will be presented by Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.

The current carbon dioxide feed system is aging, with obsolete feeders up to 44 years old, and a 49-year-old small storage tank. Construction services will include a new larger tank, tank location, and feed system.

The complete agenda is available here.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.