Library funding sparks debate at city meeting
By KALEY CONNER
Setting the city's priorities for the upcoming state legislative session sparked a heated debate regarding library funding at Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting.
A provision originally included in the list favored amending state laws to allow for a reduction in locally levied property tax to support libraries without causing them to lose state aid.
"It concerns me that we have put in extraneous issues that we have never been concerned with before," Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV said. "Secondly, I find it ironic that we would pay a lobbyist to lobby against one of our own statutory authorities created in this city."
That priority eventually was nixed by a 4-0 vote. Schwaller suggested the amendment early on, but it failed due to lack of a second. Commissioners unanimously agreed when the issue was revisited after a lengthy discussion.
Schwaller said the decision to lobby for an estimated $15,000 in state funding could jeopardize the 6 mills of funding the library receives locally.
Vice Mayor Chris Channell spoke in favor of the provision, saying it would help provide state funding for libraries if cities are forced to readjust their mill levies.
"It's protection for the library so they don't lose the state funding if any city sees the necessity to reduce the local mill levy," Channell said.
The statement of legislative priorities partly is shaped by a similar document prepared by the Kansas League of Municipalities.
Commissioners also discussed the library's budget process with library director Melanie Miller. In 1983, the city chartered a levy of 6 mills for the Hays Public Library, meaning the city has to meet any budget request up to that amount.
Commissioner Troy Hickman said he would prefer to see more transparency in the process.
"I don't feel, at least, like we probably get as thorough of a financial statement from the budget that you prepare as we do from other organizations," he said.
Miller said the library has been following budget protocol implemented by former city administration and invites city commissioners to its annual budget hearing.
"If we're told to do something, we have no choice. I don't know what to say to you," Miller said. "If you want to hear our budget presentation, all you need to do is come to the library's public budget meeting."
Other legislative priorities include water planning and quantity and tax issues, including opposition to sales tax exemptions. State representatives will attend a meeting later this month to discuss the issues with the commission.
In other business:
* Changes to the city's setback regulations regarding signs and buildings near rights of way were approved unanimously.
* A bid in the amount of almost $302,000 was approved for construction on Ninth Street east of Commerce Parkway, near Glassman Corp.'s future headquarters. The city has agreed to fund about $130,000 of these improvements.
* Commissioners heard an update regarding improvements to the Lincoln draw tunnel.
* The uniform plumbing code for 2009 was passed 4-0.
* A change to local nuisance ordinances was approved to allow for stormwater best management practices.
* New streets were added to the city's emergency snow routes.
* Commissioner Barbara Wasinger was absent.