City to discuss sewer rate increases
By KAREN MIKOLS
The Hays City Commission will consider increasing sewer rates during the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 1507 Main.
"If we do nothing at this point, we lose money in 2011," Director of Finance Kim Rupp said during last week's work session.
The increase would be to cover the cost of upgrading and expanding the wastewater treatment plant, which could cost $12 million to $22 million.
Rupp recommended increasing rates by 3 percent in 2009 and continue with the increase until 2018. At 2018, a 9-percent increase is suggested.
"This option grows the slowest without getting too crazy," Rupp said last week. "This enables us to support operations and cost."
Other items for consideration include:
* A Federal Aviation Administration grant for Hays Regional Airport. The FAA will pay for 95 percent of the airport's master plan once the grant formally is approved by the city.
* Traffic signal bids for 22nd and Canterbury.
* A construction engineering agreement for 22nd Street. The agreement is between the Kansas Department of Transportation, city of Hays and Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers. KDOT will pay about $266,000 of the project while the city will pay for about $53,000.
* Skid steer bids. The low bid was from White Star Machinery in Wichita for about $34,000.
* An addendum to the contract between the city and Firefighters Local 2119 for 2009.
* An addendum to the contract between the city and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48.
