NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday approved sending out a notice to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for the county's budget for 2025.
"The recommendation is to notify the county clerk the intent to exceed the R&R with a maximum budget of tax levy amount of $26,500,190, which equates to 35.762 mills," said Reno County Administrator Randy Partington. "It's a 3.7% increase. That's around $980,000 more in tax levy."
Commissioner John Whitesel wanted to make clear that this means actual dollars in taxes collected are going up under this recommendation. He voted against it.
"A mill levy that is flat is, in this case, a 3.7% tax increase,"Whitesel said. "I think it's dishonest to the public to say we're not raising taxes, and I will say the county doesn't do this, I don't think, but I hear schools do it all the time, and they're like, well, we're not raising taxes. We're keeping the mill levy flat. If you're keeping the mill levy flat, at least at the county level, it's a 3.7% tax increase. That means that on your property, you're going to pay more every month than you did the previous year under this plan."
The assumption Whitesel is making is that your assessed valuation went up, which is true of the vast majority of taxpayers. You do pay according to your own valuation on your property.
The motion to provide the notification passed 4-1.
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