Home News Leavenworth County commissioners approve 2023 budget Leavenworth County Courthouse September 16, 2022 in News John Richmeier Leavenworth Times As they prepared to vote on the county’s 2023 budget, Leavenworth County commissioners argued the state should be providing the county with money to reduce property taxes. Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the $56.7 million budget. The budget exceeds what is referred to as the county’s revenue neutral rate. This means the county government will receive more money in property taxes for 2023 than the previous year. The budget approved Wednesday reduces the mill levy, which is used in levying property taxes, by 0.75 mills. But the county will still receive more property tax revenue in 2023 because of increases property valuations. Before voting to approve the budget, commissioners discussed what are often referred to as demand transfers. A Kansas law establishes a process for the state government to transfer a percentage of sales tax revenue into a local ad valorem tax reduction fund, or a local property tax reduction fund. Another state law establishes a process for the state government to place money in a county and city revenue sharing fund. Commissioners have argued the county should be receiving money from the state in accordance with these laws. The state has not distributed money to local governments from the local ad valorem tax fund or revenue sharing funds for years. Laws have been amended to state that money shall not be transferred from the state government’s general fund to the local ad valorem tax reduction fund or revenue sharing fund through 2023. According to state law, $27 million shall be transferred to the local ad valorem tax reduction fund each year beginning in 2024. County Administrator Mark Loughry said the demand transfers are on the books but state legislators “exempt themselves from their own state statute.” Loughry said legislators criticize local government entities for not reducing taxes. “It just seems a little hypocritical,” he said. According to County Clerk Janet Klasinski, the county government last received money from the local ad valorem tax reduction and revenue sharing funds in 2002. Commission Chairman Mike Smith argued the county should be receiving close to $4 million per year from the state. “This is serious property tax relief,” he said. Commissioners also voted Wednesday to approve a separate 2023 budget for special funds that includes a property tax levy for a local service road fund. This mill levy is being increased by 0.6 mills. This levy is charged only to people who own property in unincorporated areas of the county. This budget was approved by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Mike Stieben voted against it. Following the vote, Commissioner Doug Smith asked if Stieben is OK with people in the city of Tonganoxie paying to subsidize rural roads. Tonganoxie is within the district represented by Stieben. “We’ve been over the budget for weeks,” Stieben said. “You know where I stand. I don’t want to raise taxes.” Doug Smith asked Stieben if he wants to be fair to people. Stieben said he did not want to debate the matter. “I know you don’t because you just want to play politics,” Doug Smith said. Stieben denied this, saying he has been consistent in opposing tax increases. Mike Smith hammered a gavel to stop the exchange between Doug Smith and Stieben. “Never had to use that,” Mike Smith said. “Stop it. Let’s move on.” Twitter: @LVTNewsJohnR In other business The Leavenworth County Commission: • Approved a contract with the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding a planned parking lot construction project at the former Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital building. The former hospital is owned by the county government. KDOT has awarded a grant to the county for the parking lot project. The estimated cost of the project is $583,333, and the state will reimburse the county $525,000, according to Bill Noll, the county’s infrastructure and construction services director. • Approved a contract extension with Leavenworth Excavating and Equipment Company for rock crushing at a county-owned quarry near Tonganoxie. The company will charge the county $9.35 per ton of crushed rock. Latest Stories Warrants issued in 2019 homicide investigation September 16, 2022 Bobcats top Lansing, improve to 2-0 in UKC September 16, 2022 Week 3 high school football preview: Lansing hosts rival Leavenworth September 16, 2022 Lansing hosts Citywide Garage Sale September 16, 2022 Finding $20 in my pocket wouldn’t be a big deal if I were filthy rich September 16, 2022 CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES September 16, 2022 VETERANS’ RECOGNITION: ALBERT SCHWAB September 16, 2022 Lansing hosts rival Leavenworth September 16, 2022 Cards’ Wainwright, Molina make record 325th start as battery September 16, 2022 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS September 16, 2022

As they prepared to vote on the county’s 2023 budget, Leavenworth County commissioners argued the state should be providing the county with money to reduce property taxes.

Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the $56.7 million budget.

The budget exceeds what is referred to as the county’s revenue neutral rate. This means the county government will receive more money in property taxes for 2023 than the previous year.

The budget approved Wednesday reduces the mill levy, which is used in levying property taxes, by 0.75 mills. But the county will still receive more property tax revenue in 2023 because of increases property valuations.

Before voting to approve the budget, commissioners discussed what are often referred to as demand transfers. A Kansas law establishes a process for the state government to transfer a percentage of sales tax revenue into a local ad valorem tax reduction fund, or a local property tax reduction fund.

Another state law establishes a process for the state government to place money in a county and city revenue sharing fund.

Commissioners have argued the county should be receiving money from the state in accordance with these laws.

The state has not distributed money to local governments from the local ad valorem tax fund or revenue sharing funds for years.

Laws have been amended to state that money shall not be transferred from the state government’s general fund to the local ad valorem tax reduction fund or revenue sharing fund through 2023.

According to state law, $27 million shall be transferred to the local ad valorem tax reduction fund each year beginning in 2024.

County Administrator Mark Loughry said the demand transfers are on the books but state legislators “exempt themselves from their own state statute.”

Loughry said legislators criticize local government entities for not reducing taxes.

“It just seems a little hypocritical,” he said.

According to County Clerk Janet Klasinski, the county government last received money from the local ad valorem tax reduction and revenue sharing funds in 2002.

Commission Chairman Mike Smith argued the county should be receiving close to $4 million per year from the state.

“This is serious property tax relief,” he said.

Commissioners also voted Wednesday to approve a separate 2023 budget for special funds that includes a property tax levy for a local service road fund.

This mill levy is being increased by 0.6 mills. This levy is charged only to people who own property in unincorporated areas of the county.

This budget was approved by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Mike Stieben voted against it.

Following the vote, Commissioner Doug Smith asked if Stieben is OK with people in the city of Tonganoxie paying to subsidize rural roads.

Tonganoxie is within the district represented by Stieben.

“We’ve been over the budget for weeks,” Stieben said. “You know where I stand. I don’t want to raise taxes.”

Doug Smith asked Stieben if he wants to be fair to people.

Stieben said he did not want to debate the matter.

“I know you don’t because you just want to play politics,” Doug Smith said.

Stieben denied this, saying he has been consistent in opposing tax increases.

Mike Smith hammered a gavel to stop the exchange between Doug Smith and Stieben.

“Never had to use that,” Mike Smith said. “Stop it. Let’s move on.”

Twitter: @LVTNewsJohnR In other business

• Approved a contract with the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding a planned parking lot construction project at the former Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital building.

The former hospital is owned by the county government.

KDOT has awarded a grant to the county for the parking lot project. The estimated cost of the project is $583,333, and the state will reimburse the county $525,000, according to Bill Noll, the county’s infrastructure and construction services director.

• Approved a contract extension with Leavenworth Excavating and Equipment Company for rock crushing at a county-owned quarry near Tonganoxie.

The company will charge the county $9.35 per ton of crushed rock.

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