Commission agrees to fund sportsplex study
By KALEY LYON
It's one small step forward for the proposed sports complex.
At Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting, commissioners approved funding half of a possible architectural and engineering study on behalf of the project committee.
The study's cost is estimated at $35,000, and the committee overseeing the project requested the city contribute $17,500.
"Last week, I gave everybody that was here my word that I was ready to step up to the plate and spend that money on that, and that is still the way I feel," Vice Mayor Ron Mellick said. "I would be willing to vote yes on this tonight with the understanding that this is only if it passes in November."
The study will be conducted only if a successful petition drive places the proposed quarter-cent or half-cent sales tax on the November ballot, and the voters support the project.
Commissioners agreed to fund part of the study in a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Chris Channell dissenting. Mayor Barbara Wasinger was absent.
Channell said he would rather postpone pledging city support for the study until citizens have a chance to vote yes or no on the ballot.
"I am in favor of the sports complex; I think it would be a great asset to the community," he said. "And if it comes to the point where you may or may not have the signatures, I would be in favor of putting it on the ballot so the public can have a say on it."
The committee recently has partnered with Fort Hays State University in pursuit of the complex, to be located on university land at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 183 Bypass and Old U.S. Highway 40.
FHSU's soccer stadium, to be constructed by fall 2010, would be included in the complex of baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
Commissioner Troy Hickman said that, if the project does pass, the city commission should assist the committee with the process.
"Our city staff and commission needs to have some input, some part to play in it, and make sure it's done so that it doesn't have to be redone, and it's right the first time," he said.
The sports complex remains a grassroots effort and is not overseen or endorsed by the city of Hays.
At last week's meeting, the committee had requested placing a special sales tax question on the November ballot.
Commissioners agreed not to place the question there by vote, and encouraged the group to begin a petition, which could add the question to the ballot.
Total costs remain unknown, pending the engineering study. However, sports complex committee member Roger Bixenman said other streams of funding also are being pursued.
In addition to the proposed sales tax, the committee hopes to pursue private funding and possible grant allocations, he said.
"It is a grassroots effort and we want to keep it that way," said Bixenman, superintendent of Hays Recreation Commission. "We do feel that this is a quality of life as well, for our youth, as well as our adults -- it will benefit them."
In other business:
* The public hearing for the city of Hays 2009 budget has been scheduled for Aug. 14. The 2009 mill levy has been established at 26 mills, which is an increase of one mill from 2008.
*¬ Commissioners voted to withdraw a motion made in May objecting to Ellis County closing a portion of 41st Street.
*¬ In a 3-1 vote, commissioners voted to restrict the use of portable shipping containers, with Hickman dissenting.
* The board approved the purchase of two new dump body beds in the amount of $72,200.
*¬ Property located at 1210 E. 43rd St. was annexed into city limits.
Ask for taxpayer money and they will give. All grassroot, and outside agencies wanting donations accepted.
(Posted by: Generous Taxpayer)
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