MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council tabled discussion of the city’s proposed 2027 budget following a lengthy meeting on Tuesday evening.
The motion passed 4-1, with Council Member Stacy Goss opposed. Goss said she voted against tabling the discussion because the council did not establish a date to resume it.
Earlier in the meeting, council members appeared to favor continuing the budget discussion during their next regular meeting Sept. 15. However, that date was not included in the motion.
The proposed budget maintains the city’s mill levy at 42.096 mills. Despite the flat levy, the city projects property tax revenue will increase approximately 2.8% to about $17.2 million. The proposed levy exceeds the city’s revenue-neutral rate of 40.945 mills.
The city’s additional 0.75% local sales tax, which takes effect Oct. 1, is expected to generate approximately $8.9 million for the 2027 budget. The revenue will help pay for street and park maintenance and other city operations.
The additional sales tax also eliminates the city’s stormwater utility fee and helped officials avoid a significant property tax increase in the proposed budget.
Much of Tuesday’s meeting focused on other budget-related issues. Council members held an extended discussion about the city potentially assuming aircraft fueling and other services currently provided by Wells Aircraft at Hutchinson Regional Airport.
The council also examined details of a proposed water reuse project that would provide irrigation at Carey Park. Discussion later returned to airport fueling and Wells Aircraft before the council voted to table the broader budget discussion.
The council had not announced a new date for consideration of the proposed budget as of the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting.
The city council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 15.