By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners are satisfied that the city’s Comprehensive Financial Management Policy was in compliance during 2015.

Finance Director Kim Rupp presented his annual report during Thursday night’s work session concerning the city’s compliance with the thirteen categories.

Rupp reviewed several highlights of the Enterprise Fund Management.

“Water and sewer rates underwent a full review by Springsted Inc. in 2015, revealing a need for a rate increase in both rate structures,” Rupp said. As a result of the study and a review of numerous options, commissioners adopted a schedule for hikes in customer rates for water and sewer.

“This practice ensured that the city is able to continue to maintain all enterprise funds on a self-sustaining basis, with no support from property tax or general fund sales tax revenues,” Rupp said. “A similar full financial review will be conducted annually to verify the intended purpose of the rate increases are being fulfilled.”

Sewer rates increased 17% in the Sept./Oct. 2015 billing cycles, and another 15.5% January 1, 2016 through 2020, and then finally, another 12% on January 1, 2021. Water rates will increase 10% January 1, 2016 and 2017, 5% January 1, 2018 and 2019 and finally, 3% January 1, 2020 and 2021.

Commissioner Lance Jones was absent from the work session.

ELLIS–The Ellis City Council will conduct a special meeting Friday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. in Ellis City Hall.

The sole agenda item is to consider approval of an Ellis Police Department hire, followed by an executive session if necessary.

The complete agenda follows.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Agenda
City Hall – Council Chambers
Friday, February 19, 2016

CALL TO ORDER 6:00 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED:

• Consider Approval of Police Department Hire

• Executive Sessions (if necessary)

ADJOURNMENT

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS–The city of Ellis will host a legislative update Saturday, Feb. 20 in Ellis City Hall, 815 Jefferson, beginning at 9 a.m.

Area state representatives Sue Boldra, R-Hays, and Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, along with Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, are expected to attend.

The public is encouraged to attend the free event.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A short agenda for the Hays city commission work session tonight.

Commissioners will hear an annual report from NCKTech president Eric Burks about operation of the North Central Kansas Technical College Big Creek Technical Training Center.

The Center is housed at 101 S. Main Street in cooperation with the city of Hays.

Kim Rupp, Director of Finance, will present the 2015 Comprehensive Financial Management Policy Review.

The work session begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main Street.

See the complete agenda here.

KDWPT

MEADE–Hatchery staff members were tubing largemouth bass this morning at the Meade Fish Hatchery.

Bass are brought into a climate-controlled building in late winter to produce offspring earlier than fish in the wild. These “early spawned” fish will get a competitive advantage in our Kansas reservoirs for better bass fishing in the future.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism operates four hatcheries – at Farlington, Meade, Milford, and Pratt — and each contributes to supply the varied needs of Kansas anglers. The system produces approximately 39.5 million fry, 3.5 million fingerling, and 385,000 intermediate fish for stocking in Kansas public waters annually. Species included bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, sauger, saugeye, smallmouth bass, striped bass, wiper, and walleye.

Meade Fish Rearing Station is located eight miles south and five miles west of Meade in Meade County in southwest Kansas.

FROM THE HAYS POLICE DEPT:

SUBJECT:
Barricaded Subject

The Hays Police Department is currently dealing with a barricaded subject in the 500 Block of West 17th Street. Law enforcement will be moving throughout the area, and citizens are asked to stay out of the area. If you live in the area, please stay inside your homes and away from windows.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual Water Quality poster contest is underway by the city of Hays and KSU Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds.

All students in Hays, from pre-K through 12th grade as well as Fort Hays State University students, are eligible to compete.

The 2016 themes, depending on the entrant’s grade level, are “Be Water Wi$e!” and “What’s In Your H2O?”, according to KSU Watershed specialist Stacie Minson.

“There are individual cash prizes, up to $250, and class parties for some of the winners,” Minson said.

“The ‘What’s in Your H20?’ posters should focus on pollutants in our water that are undesirable and create the potential for unsafe drinking water supplies. The ‘Be Water Wi$e!’ posters should focus on water conservation in the Hays community,” she explained.

Posters will be picked up for judging Friday, March 4. Winners will be announced by April 1.

See the  Water Quality Poster Contest Rules 2016 .

For questions or more information, contact Stacie Minson, KSU Watershed Specialist at (785) 769-3297 or [email protected]

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners are expected tonight to authorize the treatment process as part of the rebuilding of the the wastewater treatment plant built in the early 1950s.

During last week’s work session, HDR Project Manager Stan Christopher, presented his recommendation of the 5-Stage Oxidation Ditch with Final Clarifiers and Denitrification Filters process.

CDM Smith has the contract for Phase 1, 90% Design and GMP Development.

Commissioners will also consider approving a pay increase of $2,050.00 to the current base salary for City Manager Toby Dougherty.

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

The complete agenda can be seen here.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

A partnership between Fort Hays State University’s Management Development Center and the Society for Human Resource Management will offer a 10-week online course starting Monday, Feb. 22, to help human resource professionals prepare for SHRM’s new competency-based certification exams.

The next testing window for the SHRM certification exam begins May 1 for the Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and the Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

“With the help of outstanding certification preparation tools from SHRM, our course will help professionals prepare and stay on track for the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP exams, giving professionals the recognition and flexibility to use their knowledge, skills and competencies anywhere their career takes them,” said Sabrina William, MDC director.

SHRM, the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management, announced in May 2014 that it was developing a new certification based on the SHRM Competency Model, which identifies eight behavioral competencies and one technical competency — HR Knowledge or HR Expertise — that professionals need to advance their careers and improve effectiveness in the workplace.

“The Society for Human Resource Management is delighted at the opportunity to partner with the FHSU MDC and to help HR professionals acquire both the competencies and knowledge essential for success in today’s global economy,” said J. Robert Carr, senior professional in human resources and SHRM senior vice president for membership, marketing and external affairs.

SHRM focuses on making sure HR professionals seek and attain certification, and the SHRM certification preparation programs are designed to maximize success, both on the exam and in career development.

“SHRM is committed to ensuring that the certifications our certificants receive are recognized as best in class and distinguishes them in the marketplace. We regard the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP as the new standard in certification for the HR profession,” said Carr.

The MDC is a division of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The College of Business and Entrepreneurship also offers an SHRM-endorsed Bachelor of Business Administration in management with a concentration in human resource management and a Master of Professional Studies in human resource management.

For more information on SHRM certifications, visit www.shrmcertification.org. For more information, or to register for MDC’s preparation course, contact William at (785) 628-4124 or visit www.fhsu.edu/cob/mdc/SHRM-Certification-Course.