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Commissioner Reuter confirmed as Hays mayor; Elena Cunningham chosen vice mayor in reorganization
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Hays City Commission completed its annual reorganization: newly sworn-in commissioners took the oath, Commissioner Reuter was nominated and confirmed as mayor and Commissioner Elena Cunningham as vice mayor; the consent agenda passed 5-0. Outgoing mayor Sandy Jacobs received tributes.
The Hays City Commission on Jan. 8, 2026, completed its annual reorganization and leadership elections, nominating Commissioner Reuter as mayor and confirming Commissioner Elena Cunningham as vice mayor by voice vote as newly elected commissioners were sworn in.
Outgoing Mayor Sandy Jacobs, who stepped down to continue serving as a city commissioner, presided over the meeting’s opening remarks and swearing-in. The oath was administered by the official who led commissioners through the pledge to support the U.S. and Kansas constitutions and to “faithfully discharge the duties of city commissioner of the City of Hays, Kansas.” Jacobs opened her remarks by saying, “Titles may change, but values don't,” and described servant leadership as her guiding principle as she transitions from mayor to commissioner.
Nominations for mayor and vice mayor were handled in sequence. According to the meeting record, Commissioner Reuter was nominated for mayor (a nomination the minutes attribute to Commissioner Cunningham and a second from Commissioner Musil) and confirmed by a voice vote. Commissioner Elena Cunningham was nominated to serve as vice mayor; the nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission did not record a roll-call tally for the leadership votes in the transcript excerpt provided.
The body recognized Jacobs with tributes from fellow commissioners for her leadership on economic development, fiscal stewardship and the community center at The Grove. Commissioners also welcomed a newly seated commissioner named David and noted his prior years of service as a police officer.
As part of routine business, the commission approved the consent agenda—adopting the city commission rules of procedure for the year—on a motion by Commissioner Sandy Jacobs and a second by Vice Mayor Cunningham; the transcript records the result as “Passes 5 0.”
The meeting closed with additional commissioner remarks and no executive session; the commission adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
