By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays Mayor Shaun Musil declared it one of his “favorite city commission meetings every year.”

Twenty-two city of Hays employees were recognized for their service and hard work by city commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty at the beginning of tonight’s meeting.

Their names and job descriptions were read by Director of Finance Kim Rupp as each employee was called up to the front of the city commission chambers to shake hands with the commissioners and Dougherty and to pose for a picture with Mayor Musil.

An official group photo was also taken with friends and family in the audience getting in on the picture-taking.

Following are the city of Hays 2016 Employee Service Awards:

5‐Year Awards
Ciarra Rupp – Ciarra started with the City of Hays as a Part Time Receptionist in the City Manager’s Office in 2011.  Ciarra was promoted in 2012 to the Police Department Administrative Assistant.
Brent Barnett – Brent has been a Part Time Police Officer with the City of Hays since 2010.
Colin Roe – Colin joined the City of Hays in 2011 as a Communications Officer.  In 2013, Colin became a Police Officer for the Hays Police Department.
Brandon Woods – Brandon began with the Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in 2011 and was hired as a Career Fire Fighter that same year.
Travis Johannes – Travis joined the City as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in 2011.  One month later, he took on the role of a Career Fire Fighter.
Bronson Scott – Bronson began in 2011 as a Recycling Collector for the City and still serves in that capacity.

10‐Year Awards
David Younger – David joined the City as a Parks Maintenance worker in 2005.  He advanced to a Maintenance Worker II in 2010.  David was recently promoted in 2016 to a Parks Technician.
Kerry Tiernan ‐ Kerry began with the City of Hays as the Golf Course Foreman in 2006.  He still holds this position today.

15‐Year Awards
Chad Ruder – Chad started with the City in 2000 as a Information Systems Technician.  In 2004, he became the IT Director and continues to serve in that role.
Brandon Wright – Brandon joined the City of Hays as a Police Officer in 2001.  In 2005, he was promoted to Police Sergeant, and six years later he was promoted to Police Lieutenant.
Kirk Klein – Kirk began with the City in 2001 as a Fire Fighter.  In 2007 he became a Fire Lieutenant and was promoted once more in 2014 to a Fire Captain.
Tom Roy – Fire Fighter Tom Roy has been a Fire Fighter with the City of Hays Fire Department since 2001.
Mike Bachar – Mike started as a Parks Maintenance Worker with the City in 2001.  In 2010 he advanced to a Maintenance Worker II.  Mike was promoted this year to a Parks Technician.
Chris Rhoades – Chris joined the City in 2001 as a Parks Maintenance Worker.  In 2002, he was promoted to Parks Technician and in 2010 he was promoted to his current position, Parks Supervisor.
Mark Pfeifer – Mark started with the City in 2001 as a Water Plant Trainee.  He became a Water Plant Operator I in 2002 and was promoted in 2004 to Plant Operator II.

20‐Year Awards
Mitch Berens – Mitch became a Hays Police Officer in 1995.  In 2007 he was promoted to Police Sergeant and still holds this position today.
Tim Hickert – Tim joined the City of Hays in 1995 as a Service Mechanic for the Public Works Department.  He was promoted in 2015 to Shop Foreman.
Curtis Weber – Curtis started with the City in 1996. He has held the positions of Refuse Collector, Maintenance Worker, Equipment Operator and, his current position, Inspector during his 20 year tenure with the City.

25‐Year Awards
Mark Windholz – Mark became a Maintenance Worker I with the Service department in 1991.  In 1998 he took on the role of Service Equipment Operator and was promoted to his current position, Service Division Foreman, in 2008.
Steve Barnes – Steve joined the City as a Refuse Collector in 1991.  He then took on the role of Cemetery Caretaker in 1992 and has been serving in that position since.

30‐Year Awards
Don Stejskal – Don joined the City in 1986. He has been promoted several times during his 30 years serving as a Maintenance Worker, Equipment Operator, Field Foreman, Water and Sewer Supervisor, Service Supervisor, and his current position as the Service Superintendent.
Dan Roberts – Dan started as a Service Utility Worker II in 1985.  Dan has worked his way up in the City since 1985 holding positions of Refuse Packer Operator, Truck Driver for both Service and Solid Waste Divisions, Equipment Operator, Equipment Driver, and most recently, Solid Waste Foreman.

By BECKY KISER and COOPER SLOUGH
Hays Post

A crowd of about 50 Fort Hays State University students and a few faculty members gathered on the lawn in front of FHSU President Dr. Mirta Martin’s house Monday to show their support of her.

“Fort Hays’ future. Our future is Mirta,” they chanted near a temporary bright yellow sign with the words “We Support Our President.”

Martin was the subject of criticism by some faculty members in an anonymous survey conducted recently by the FHSU Docking Institute of Public Affairs.

Results of that survey were shared with the Kansas Board of Regents last Thursday, Oct. 20, by FHSU Faculty Senate President Carl Miller, associate professor of philosophy. KBOR members were on campus for a regular meeting and dedication of the business college.

“It seemed like there were some faculty that were speaking their concerns and kind of saying what they believed on the situation. … As students, we need to take the opportunity to be heard, as well,” said FHSU student Jared Tadlock following the on-campus rally.

One female student who did not want to be identified said she feels a kinship with Martin.

“She has a really similar story to what I have so I really connect with her,” she said. “She comes out to all of our art shows, our concerts, everything. I’ve never felt so supported by such a big figure in a university.”

Tadlock said Martin has also made a “great impact on my own life and my academic experience.”

“When Dr. Martin came to this school, it was pretty clear she wanted to make this a better institution for us,” Tadlock added. “So if we’re not using our voices to express our gratitude — it’s something I felt needed to be done.”

“President Martin is the future, and she’s bringing the change we haven’t had,” agreed faculty member Amanda Ergun, ESL (English as a Second Language) program director. “We had the same leadership for 27 years.

“With all change, big and small, people kick and scream. This is change that will benefit the university as a whole. Some people as individuals are directly impacted in a way they don’t really desire, but as a whole, this is for the betterment of the entire university,” Ergun said.

Fliers were handed out with contact information for the Kansas Board of Regents.

In an email Monday evening to Hays Post, Dr. Gary Brinker, director of the Docking Institute, wrote there have been “some inaccurate interpretations of the results, and being the person who administered the survey, I need to address those inaccuracies immediately.”

Brinker told Hays Post late Tuesday afternoon he had just met with the chair of the university IRB (Institutional Review Board) which Brinker said is responsible for protecting human subjects used in research.

“I was told ‘do not disseminate any more information on the survey’ until the IRB reviews it,” Brinker said. “I expect them to meet as soon as possible, within the next three days or so. I plan to write and distribute a press release afterward.”

Brinker wrote in a second email Tuesday evening “I anticipate that no potential harm to subjects will be found and that my commentary of the survey and the validity of the way the results have been characterized will be released to you within a few days.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual alley cleanup in Hays began Monday, Oct. 24.

Crews are making one trip through town picking up unwanted items not normally collected.

Discards from curbside refuse customers will be picked up first. Portions of all four zones were cleared Monday.

Tree limbs and brush were collected Monday in Zones 1 and 2 in east Hays.

ELLIS–Longtime employees of the city of Ellis were honored by the mayor and city council members during their Monday evening meeting.

Mayor David McDaniel presented annual service awards to Charlene Weber – 30 years; Steve Homburg – 15 years; Joyce McCollam – 5 years; Chris Krom – 5 years; and Jake Schartz – 5 years. Danny Wickham was not present to receive his award for 20 years of service.

In other business, the council approved a $6,000 purchase of 20 new fire helmets as requested by Fire Chief Denis Vine. Following a presentation by the Ellis Community Foundation, the city agreed to partner with the group in a fundraiser for a new water slide feature at the municipal swimming pool.

The complete Oct. 17 council meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
October 17, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Bob Redger and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel added to the agenda consideration of sewer line repairs under New Business and an Executive Session at the end of the meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Steve Homburg, Nan Brown, Chris Krom, Danna Krom, Mark Bongartz, Dena Patee, Ed Weber, Charlene Weber, Jake Schartz, Sharon Disney, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Mark Flax, Glen Keller, Pauleen Edmonds, and Wanda Weber (arrived at 7:35 p.m.).
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 3, 2016, with the date correction as noted, and Bills Ordinance #2007. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Bongartz asked for Council to consider designating a place in town for archery hunters to practice.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Personnel: Award
Mayor David McDaniel presented annual service awards to the following employees: Charlene Weber – 30 years; Steve Homburg – 15 years; Joyce McCollam – 5 years; Chris Krom – 5 years; and Jake Schartz – 5 years. Danny Wickham was not present to receive his award for 20 years of service.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Acquisition
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported that several volunteer firemen presented to kindergarten through third grade students during Fire Prevention Week. Two bids were presented for new fire helmets. The current helmets are over 15 years old; however, fire helmets normally only have a life expectancy of 5 years. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the low bid from Danko Emergency Equipment for 20 new fire helmets at a cost of $6,035.80, with funds to come from the Fire Department budget. The motion carried 5-0.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Dena Patee and Pauleen Edmonds, representing the Ellis Community Foundation, proposed a fundraiser to purchase and install a double water slide feature for the Ellis Municipal Pool. The slides have safety netting and can be moved to a new pool, if one is later constructed. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to partner with the Ellis Community Foundation on a fundraising project for a water slide feature for the pool. The motion carried 5-0.
Tourism: Committee
Dena Patee reported results from the recent “All Aboard for Ellis” advertising campaign. Both the Days Inn hotel and the Chrysler Museum saw at least a 65% increase in visitors during May and June. The Committee recently held a Coffee and Calendars event and is currently working on a radio and television advertising campaign for 2017.
Public Works: Violation
Mark Flax read a portion of a mowing violation letter he received in August 2015 regarding his rental property at 305 E. 14th. He questioned why he received a mowing violation letter for fireweeds, yet the school district is allowed to keep their grass around the tennis courts overgrown without violation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed correspondence received from Kelly Klausmeyer from the Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding the topography in the area of 10th Street and Spruce. The report indicated water would have to be 5 feet above the railroad tracks before it would back up into that location.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the sixth set of pay applications for work performed to date on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Pay Application #6 to APAC in the amount of $103,315.95. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Council member John Walz moved to approve the payment to Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Corporation in the amount of $1,500.00 for KDHE loan administration services. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Pay Request #6 to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in the amount of $104,815.95. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary pay documents for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Contract
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the 3-year renewal service agreement from Glassman Corporation for the City’s HVAC system. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the 3-year service agreement as presented at a cost of $1,580.00 per year. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner suggested we bid out the service contract to local vendors. Council member Bret Andries added that the contract would need to be with a certified Carrier dealer in order to not negate the warranty. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Jolene Niernberger and John Walz voted in favor of the motion, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea voted opposed, and Council member Bret Andries abstained, due to perceived conflict of interest. The Mayor voted in favor of the motion; therefore, the motion carried 4-2.
General Government: Finance
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the USDA General Obligation Bond Ordinance and Resolution for review. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1410 authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $567,000 for the Waterline Improvement Project. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz then moved to approve Resolution No. 531 authorizing the sale of the general obligation bonds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that during the annual sewer cleaning Mayer Specialty Services found two areas of the City’s sewer lines in need of urgent repair. Mobilization fees can be minimized if Mayer performs the repairs while they are in town for the cleaning. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the proposals from Mayer Specialty Services to perform the heavy cleaning and repairs to the sewer lines in an amount not to exceed $16,000, with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation Reserve and Sewer Utility funds. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period August 10th – September 10th. The Governor’s Water Conference is November 14th – 15th in Manhattan.
Sewer: Training
Aeromod is offering an operator training course in Manhattan at no cost to the City. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow Steve Homburg and Joe Kreutzer to attend the Aeromod course in Manhattan November 1st – 2nd. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: Training
Council member Bret Andries moved to allow Danny Wickham, Brad Leiker, and Jake Schartz to attend confined space and open trench certification training in Manhattan October 26th – 27th. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates discussed the request made during Public Comment by Mr. Bongartz regarding designating a place for archery hunter’s to practice shooting. Uniform Public Offense Code Section 10.6 prohibits the firing of any projectile weapon within the city limits except within the confines of a building; therefore, State law prohibits the act, not City ordinance. Council discussed possibly designating an area for archery shooting at the current police department gun range. Chief Yates will report back on the possibility of using the gun range.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the recent Campground and Tourism Committee meetings. The September health insurance savings report was also reviewed. Ms. Burton reminded the Council that the City offices will be closed October 20th for the annual inventory.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel acknowledged two letters received opposing the closing of 9th Street for the Trunk or Treat event on October 31st. A revised event request only partially closing the street has since been received for consideration.
Mayor McDaniel also noted the receipt of a letter from Ellis High School Golf Coach Matt Carroll voicing support for the golf course. City representatives will try to schedule a meeting with the Ellis Golf Club investors this week.
Mayor McDaniel and Council members Jolene Niernberger and John Walz shared with Council information on the numerous training sessions they attended at the recent League Annual Conference in Overland Park. They were also able to visit with numerous vendors and other City representatives about building inspections, municipal pools, and municipal golf courses. The City will host a League training session on February 23rd.
Council member Gary Luea asked City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler for updates on several ongoing court cases.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:16 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners will look at plans tonight for the continued development of the Heart of America Industrial Park.

The preliminary plat for the development on south Commerce Parkway in east Hays was approved by the Planning Commission in 2008. The property is zoned into a mixture of light-industrial and heavy-industrial districts.

The developers of the Heart of America Second Addition have submitted a signed consent to annex the property and to allow for its development, including extension of and connection to city utilities and fire/police protection. The project would be financed through the creation of a special benefit district as requested by the developers.

The property is generally located at Commerce Parkway and 9th Street, requiring an extension of 9th Street to the east, according to Assistant Hays City Manager Jacob Wood.

The final plat was approved April 18, 2016 by the Hays Area Planning Commission. Heart of America Development Corporation owns the property and provides land for development to new or existing businesses wishing to relocate.

The complete Oct. 20 city commission work session agenda may be seen here.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

NetWork Kansas will have a new host next spring for its fourth Kansas’ Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge — Fort Hays State University.

The statewide competition will be Monday, April 24, 2017, in FHSU’s Memorial Union.

“We are thrilled to have found a partner in FHSU to host next year’s state championship,” said Anne Dewvall, E-Community Partnership manager for NetWork Kansas. “Fort Hays State is as dedicated to encouraging young entrepreneurs as we are.”

The competition gives Kansas high school students experience in the process of making a business proposal — students must research, write and submit an executive summary. If their business concept is chosen as a finalist, they will then have the opportunity to pitch their venture to a panel of judges that consists of local entrepreneurs, bankers, and investment experts.

Winners of the local challenges, sponsored by NetWork Kansas-designated E-Communities, will then compete in the statewide challenge at FHSU, an event that, in addition to the competition, will feature tradeshow displays, presentations and lunch for the participants.

“FHSU is excited to host the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in April 2017,” said Henry Schwaller, director of the FHSU Center for Entrepreneurship. “It is an honor to partner with NetWork Kansas on this prestigious program and welcome these creative and innovative young entrepreneurs to the FHSU campus.”

“The innovation and creativity of the students’ ideas is incredible, and it shows that programs like the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge ensure that Kansas will have a very bright future,” said Schwaller.

Dewvall said participation grew from four Kansas communities to 22 in the first three years. The third competition, held last spring, had 242 high school and middle school students representing 151 businesses in the local competitions.

“This year we expect even more communities to participate,” she said.

“We’re honored to have so many bright young minds on our campus and share our entrepreneurial Tiger spirit with them. Our goal is to make sure that every student has a wonderful experience and has an opportunity to learn more about our Entrepreneurship program,” said Schwaller. “We have a wide array of activities — from our state-of-the-art courses to Dane G. Hansen Scholarship Hall, the nation’s first residence hall for creative, innovative students — and we hope that every student has a chance to experience all we offer.”

“I am very proud that Fort Hays State has been chosen to be the host of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge,” said university President Mirta M. Martin. “Young entrepreneurs are critical to the future of western Kansas, our state and our nation, and Fort Hays State has become the destination of choice for all those bright minds who wish to translate dreams into businesses.”

She continued, “As I said when we dedicated at Homecoming the first-in-the-nation entrepreneurship residence hall, our faculty, our staff, our community are fully devoted to ensuring that students with an entrepreneurial drive turn their ideas into successful companies.

“The high school competitors of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge are coming to the right place. We are excited that they are joining a community where the entrepreneurial spirit is ingrained in our history, in our DNA. We’re glad they are coming to Fort Hays State! Welcome home.”

NetWork Kansas, (www.networkkansas.com) is a non-profit organization established by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 as the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship. Its primary focus is encouraging and promoting entrepreneurship in Kansas. Its sponsors are the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Small Business Development Center.

NetWork Kansas designates certain communities as E-Communities and works with them “to create local, sustainable funding programs as well as creating a virtual network of expertise and educational resources for entrepreneurs at the local level,” according to its website. The program has grown from six communities in 2007 to 55 today.

To date, E-Community partnerships have resulted in more than $7.7 million in loans to more than 285 businesses and $35.5 million and more in additional capital from other sources.

For more information, contact Anne Dewvall (email: [email protected]; phone: (316) 425-7059), visit the website, www.networkkansas.com, or call NetWork Kansas at (877) 521-8600.

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded $283,597.28 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a program which serves to enhance opportunities for specialty crops. According to the USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” KDA has selected several recipients to further utilize the funds through specific projects.

“This grant program offers the outstanding opportunity to promote the growth of specialty crops in Kansas,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “We have been granted these funds to help improve the education, innovation and availability of these agribusinesses in Kansas which will encourage economic growth of the agriculture industry.”

The following is a list of Kansas projects that will be funded by the grant:

· Kansas Rural Center, Enhancing Specialty Crop Production and Profitability, $47,337 — Provide research of best management and conservation practices for specialty crop production, as well as the dissemination of information, in order for producers to improve production and profitability of their operations.

· Seward County Community College/Area Technical School, Specialty Crop Incubator Program, $60,382 — KDA will continue its partnership with Seward County Community College, Liberal, to provide a specialty crop incubator program, allowing small specialty crop businesses to enter the industry. Conferences will be offered focusing on business management and specialty crop knowledge, while educational opportunities for area schoolchildren will be expanded.

· Highland Community College, Wine Business Incubator Project, $90,000 — Extend upon their previous efforts by creating and providing a wine incubator to be utilized by prospective Kansas enologists. Staff will be provided in order to assist with day-to-day activities of the incubator, as well as mentorship of clients.

· Kansas Department of Agriculture, Education Program for Great Plains Growers Conference, $34,090.81 — Provide conference registration reimbursement and stipend for specialty crop producers to attend the Great Plains Growers Conference located in St. Joseph, Mo.

· K-State Research and Extension, Strengthening Food Safety Education for Kansas Fruit and Vegetable Producers, $33,352 — Partner with K-State Research and Extension to provide training and resources for Kansas fruit and vegetable growers on produce safety, particularly related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Personnel will undergo a train-the-trainer workshop, enabling them to provide training to producers within the state.

For more information about how the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is utilized in Kansas, visit KDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/specialtycropblockgrant. For information about these specific projects, contact Kellen L. Liebsch, KDA economist, at (785) 564-6726 or [email protected].

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The investment group, Hays Extended Stay Hotel Partners LP based in Liberty, Missouri, is asking for two Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) from the city of Hays to benefit a planned new development project north of I-70.

The group has purchased a parcel of property in the vicinity of Home Depot with the intent of constructing a Towneplace Suites hotel by Marriott immediately north of IHOP and Hampton Inn.

Two separate CID petitions have been submitted, according to Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood.

The first request seeks to impose a 1% CID sales tax on the hotel property only. A second petition seeks to impose an additional 1% CID sales tax on the hotel property and the JT Travel Plaza property which is under construction. The developer of  the convenience store project is not asking for any incentives and will not benefit from any incentives requested.

Proceeds from both CIDs will go to reimburse Hays Extended Stay Hotel Partners LP for the $9.6 million estimated costs associated with construction of the hotel.

Wood said Hays Extended Stay Hotel Partners LP has already submitted the necessary paperwork to the Ellis County Economic Development Coalition including petitions to create the two CIDs, an application for economic development incentives, a cost benefit analysis and the required application fee. A term sheet will be reviewed by the city commission as required by the city’s economic development policy.

If approved, the total sales tax at the Travel Plaza would be 10.5%, and the total sales tax at the hotel would be 16.5%.

Each CID district would impose a 1% tax for 22 years. According to city of Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp, it’s estimated the CID districts could generate $2.1 million in revenues.

Commissioners will review the request during their Thu., Oct. 20 work session. The entire agenda may be seen here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was hot in Hays Monday, unusually hot for early fall.

The mercury soared to 95 degrees according to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. That breaks the previous high in Hays for Oct. 17–91 degrees set back in 2005.

Several record highs were set yesterday in western Kansas. Dodge City reached 101 degrees for the state’s high.

Tuesday’s weather forecast is calling for much cooler temperatures.