The Hays City Commission on the call of its August meeting unanimously approved a package of bond ordinances and note resolutions that together will fund multiple city projects, including automated metering infrastructure, a new police facility, improvements tied to the Grove RHID and temporary financing for infrastructure at I‑70 Exit 161.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp summarized results from bond sales and a concurrent note offering, and bond adviser David Arterberry reviewed competitive bid results that produced interest rates below the team’s pre‑sale estimates. “The best bid for the Series 2025 A bonds was submitted by Fidelity Capital Markets at a rate of 4.312886%,” Arterberry told commissioners, and he said the temporary notes received a winning bid from Piper Sandler at roughly 2.95%.

The bulk of the Series 2025‑A principal — $14,140,000 — will fund several projects: $3,660,000 for automated metering infrastructure (AMI), roughly $6,715,000 for the courts and police facility and $3,675,000 for The Grove RHID. A separate taxable Series 2025‑B issue of $855,000 will finance an economic development grant to Grow Hays tied to The Grove. The commission also approved general obligation temporary notes, series 2025‑1, sized at $4,035,000 to temporarily finance work at Exit 161; city staff stated the intention to issue permanent general obligation bonds after the Exit 161 project is complete to retire the notes.

Rupp clarified which projects will be repaid from which revenue sources. “The AMI portion is being run through the water and water reclamation budgets…so we don't levy for those two issues,” Rupp said. She added the police facility is the principal levy‑supported portion of the package and that existing debt rolling off in 2026 helps avoid increasing the bond and interest levy. Arterberry said Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed Hays’ AA long‑term rating and granted an S&P 1+ short‑term rating for the notes, a factor he cited in attracting competitive bids.

The commission voted 5‑0 to adopt ordinance 4078 (Series 2025‑A), resolution 2025‑013 (form and details for Series 2025‑A), ordinance 4079 (Series 2025‑B), resolution 2025‑014 (form and details for Series 2025‑B), resolution 2025‑015 (temporary notes series 2025‑1) and resolution 2025‑016 (taxable temporary notes series 2025‑2). Closing on the bond and note sales was projected for Sept. 25; final maturity dates were disclosed in the underwriting documents presented to the commission.

Discussion at the meeting emphasized timing, sources of repayment and the city’s effort to avoid adding to levy‑funded debt. Commissioners thanked staff and the bond adviser for competitive interest results and the timing that aligned with debt roll‑offs. The commission’s actions authorize issuance and set the formal terms but do not yet reflect the final executed bond documents at closing.

Copies of the motion and adopted ordinance and resolution numbers will be included in the official minutes and the city’s closing documents on Sept. 25.