By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council went over the 2022 budget and held two hearings on the numbers when it met Tuesday. The total budget authority for 2022 totals $100.51 million on total taxes levied of $14.14 million. With that, the mill levy stays the same as last year at 44.462 mills. That is less than a full mill above the revenue neutral rate.
"It gives the city additional capacity," said City Manager Jeff Cantrell. "It's not a subterfuge tactic to throw a zinger to the taxpayers or property owners, it's merely something that I think is in our best interests to pass. It gives us flexibility to be adaptive."
The proposed budget authority is the maximum amount the city can spend. The number will most likely run less than that barring an emergency need. Council member Sara Bagwell voted against the budget.
"I'm not completely satisfied with the budget," Bagwell said. "I would like to see us have the ability to do a Revenue Neutral Rate. I noticed that even though we had a surplus, we're completely dipping right back down and so, it just seems like...I'm not completely satisfied with that trend."
The current year estimate for expenditures in 2021 is $68.3 million. The budget passed 4-1.