Hays ? A preliminary analysis says consolidating mail sorting operations in Hays and Colby to Salina could save the postal service about $139,000 a year.

The Hays Daily news reported Wednesday that the proposed merger would cost a total of four jobs in Hays and Colby.

Sixteen employees sort mail in Hays for 37 post offices, while Colby has eight employees serving 25 offices in nine northwest Kansas counties.

Postal service spokesman Brian Speery says details of the possible merger will be discussed at public meetings in Colby and Hays in May.

The postal service is also considering merging sorting centers in Hutchinson, Independence and Fort Scott.