Commission debates mill levy increase
By KALEY LYON
A possible mill levy increase of 1 mill was discussed for the 2009 budget at Thursday's Hays City Commission work session.
City staff presented a long-term budget plan calling for a 1.5 levy increase this year, but Mayor Barbara Wasinger and Commissioner Allan Lytton spoke in favor of the 1 mill increase.
"I think, without hurting everything, we can do that this year. We are able to do that this year," Wasinger said. "I think we have a responsibility to try to keep it down as much as we can."
If that is the decision commissioners make at next week's regular meeting, they will be buying down the mill levy to avoid the additional half-mill increase.
The 2008 budget was 25 mills, so this year's total could be 26 mills -- if the figure is approved next week.
"I don't even want to do that, but the reality has set in," Lytton said of the 1 mill increase. "We're going to have to do that, at least."
Vice Mayor Ron Mellick, however, spoke in favor of increasing the levy by 1.5 mills, as included in a 5-year and 10-year plan provided by city staff.
Mellick said the commission already has been working to keep taxation low and has eliminated about $5 million in projects from the city's Capital Improvement Plan.
"We are doing the best we can," he said. "We are cutting back on a lot of things we want and not that we need.
"We're here to look out for the city, and I think that's what we have to do," Mellick said. "We want to keep this city financially stable."
With three commissioners up for re-election next year, Mellick also said that should not be a factor in looking out for the city's future interests.
"I realize next year there's three city commissioners up for election. But just because you may or may not get re-elected next year, that doesn't alleviate you from the responsibility of the mill levy for five years up," he said.
Commissioners Troy Hickman and Chris Channell were absent.
City staff also presented possible 10-year budget plans, one of which called for a 1.5 mill levy increase for three years, beginning in 2009, and an increase of one mill the following years.
"The same conversation might be being had next year is, 'We don't really want to go up a mill and a half. Let's only go up a mill and see what that does,' " Assistant City Manager Mark Loughry said. "And we're only moving off the inevitable.
"It still looks good at a mill this year, and a mill and a half the following year, the following three years."
At next week's meeting, commissioners will discuss setting a time for the public budget hearing and finalizing the 2009 mill levy increase.
In other business:
* Commissioners discussed eliminating parking on a stretch of Ninth Street and General Custer, but decided against putting it on the agenda for next week.
* Commissioners agreed to consider a possible change in regulations regarding portable storage units. This will be on next week's agenda.
* Annexation of 1210 E. 43rd also will be acted on next week. This annexation would allow for provision of city services at the location.
* Commissioners discussed bids for two new dump body bids and will take possible action next week.
* A survey of city services conducted by Fort Hays State University's Docking Institute was discussed.
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