[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6616373,"mediaKeyId","2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea","parentId",2853262,"title","Property valuations up 5.84%; commissioners cite residential reliance and press for Fort Leavenworth payments for county services","audioSeconds",765,"startMs",686320,"endMs",1451410,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea&start=686&end=1451","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea/thumbnail_686320.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616373/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Property-valuations-up-584-commissioners-cite-residential-reliance-and-press-for-Fort-Leavenworth-payments-for-county-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616373-ddf4e801708adace5a059ddb9d01224a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207459&Signature=au-~O99Eg8NuSLb5kZ3H0A8DaKLek0NZYLAnvrhOlikjgqr9YESvPsOESweggl-JQB8if4B4JI0o283qLMQIR2oDs5JCcmaUgViF5Gio1RyU2sTQRNHGTxLgP-m76DizrC9vwbfLZPW70qal82glVmN3hhJiQk0cZFrAeKo0bmSzKgMbGJM3zrqNkwTM2hUh~pAgw94Kf5BH6fDmSEvNwoqHRRGgArV4D0drMJSzUxyW6ozSpCWRJ~ixb9VSbrNq13y4SLitVjEI1dT2-rkLSx9SAH-Ns~HpMFehae2fNwOBXV-EX1KqamyEcP6Fb6lK2RVbJgb1za3NWbYnhepuiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-04-02T20:35:32.82Z","article","Leavenworth County commissioners were briefed that county property valuations rose 5.84%, driven in part by revaluation and new construction, and discussed how exemptions and large tax-exempt employers shift the burden to homeowners.

The valuation matter is significant because county staff said property valuation now accounts for roughly 50% to 60% of total revenue, and an increase in valuation therefore does not translate one-for-one into overall revenue growth. Commissioners warned that exemptions and large tax-exempt employers (for example, military installations and prisons) make the county more reliant on residential taxpayers than jurisdictions with larger commercial bases.

A county staff member reported, \"the property valuation was up 5.84%.\" The chair explained that 4.34 percentage points of that change came from revaluation and the remainder from new construction. He said the effective impact on county revenue is closer to a 2.5% to 3% increase when other stagnant or declining revenue streams are included.

Commissioners discussed the disproportionate tax burden created by exemptions. Staff said about 54% of property in the county is tax-exempt, leaving roughly 46% of taxable property to fund county services. The commissioners also discussed the state's role in exemptions and referenced recent changes to homestead exemptions; staff said counties often see state programs begin with state funding and later shift costs to counties.

The commission renewed efforts to seek payments from Fort Leavenworth for specific services, saying a full pilot payment was not achievable and that the county is pursuing smaller memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for individual services. \"Our ambulance service costs me and you $2,000,000 a year to keep our ambulance service. But Fort Leavenworth uses it, but they don't pay anything. So we're asking the fort to help us pay for EMS,\" a commissioner said. Staff described the strategy as \"piecemealing\" — pursuing multiple smaller MOUs (for EMS and other services) rather than a single pilot payment.

Officials said they have raised the issue with federal representatives and argued that changes in base use and civilian access justify payments in lieu of taxes, but that federal acknowledgement has been mixed and DOD facilities historically do not receive the same PILOT practices as Department of the Interior facilities.

No new revenue was approved at the meeting; commissioners discussed strategy and requested staff continue outreach and prepare details for budget conversations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Work Session for April 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Leavenworth County commissioners were briefed that county property valuations rose 5.84%, driven in part by revaluation and new construction, and discussed how exemptions and large tax-exempt employers shift the burden to homeowners.","taxTitle","Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616368,"Commissioners weigh outside-agency funding and staffing pressures as Meals on Wheels waitlist grows",891,1777360,2669045,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea&start=1777&end=2669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea/thumbnail_1777360.jpg","/articles/6616368/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commissioners-weigh-outside-agency-funding-and-staffing-pressures-as-Meals-on-Wheels-waitlist-grows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616368-aef0e67a2067aacfa234092d81ac4282/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207459&Signature=KYFjWSYvlZxsbXusegRlaMPjWVpCwOzmCJ4prndqW2iq1TMwP2MtldzKT8~1UJaYI6A79cxAn~oed7VlPNmXIcF-gX~mJ988ubL7cQDwFCiFH-HtRgBaDaeypknXTQ46CxcnyTCJiiNEqukbzRhCpWVejmWMxYk1c65T75akpGY2AJhShqaNgb-zRbAkp7-hO3sT0QRSmrH9c2Tx956~3FgfQRujfHzo4QULTO6y~xQGG1C0EVSl6l0o~oAeqmNKv6vDC1RHpiAyJ~tvxxGvJSpHNcRKQq3RwKKe3N9iFu0tZmjuzyHyczwOgg1JzpVbgZ19TcwjT~~2jJXrnQ5M1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners discussed outside-agency funding reductions, oversight, and service priorities alongside staffing pressures in public works and law enforcement.

The matter is important because commissioners said the county has reduced outside funding in recent years and needs better oversight of recipients. Several commissioners asked that outside agencies who receive county funds submit quarterly or biannual reports and meet individually with commissioners during the budget process.

Commissioners referenced a Meals on Wheels waiting list of 34 people and said clearing that list would cost \"probably around $30,000 or so.\" One commissioner said the council-on-aging services are effectively an in-house function and should be addressed in county budgets rather than treated as a purely outside-agency grant.

On staffing, commissioners raised turnover in public works and recruitment problems in the sheriff's office. The chair and other speakers noted that neighboring jurisdictions pay substantially higher wages for comparable positions, making recruitment difficult. \"We can't keep up with the Johnsons,\" a commissioner said, describing regional pay competition and its effect on vacancies.

Public works leaders were credited with recent process improvements and cost savings. County staff said the department switched aggregate suppliers for its chip-and-seal work and that change produced large savings on last year's project; one staff remark described the savings as \"almost a million dollars\" saved. Commissioners also noted that the per-bridge replacement cost has risen from about $700,000 to roughly $1,000,000 over the last three years, increasing capital pressures on the sales-tax-funded CIP.

Commissioners debated how to balance limited county funds among inside programs (for example, Meals on Wheels) and outside organizations such as historical societies. No funding decisions were made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to arrange meetings with outside agencies, require reporting, and present options during the budget process.","County commissioners discussed outside-agency funding reductions, oversight, and service priorities alongside staffing pressures in public works and law enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616377,"County grapples with rising health-care costs; staff exploring third-party clinic and wary of self-insurance",482,63170,545350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea&start=63&end=545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea/thumbnail_63170.jpg","/articles/6616377/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/County-grapples-with-rising-health-care-costs-staff-exploring-third-party-clinic-and-wary-of-self-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616377-4c318377a2c2673921cab97b3c6b5b67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207459&Signature=LrYNfB~d7uJ6nT6hp~kNlKi6jl1RcBsp7dY-z17t-Ftc4dG0B465~batHy6tv3GMuGx3lfiHevjMMVG4nKG41QZ7BXn5OW1PBg~M1S71t9j~SXMloWmM8~stxw7FViRDK2b~fqOm4t2vWj8gE9ykKh7cQeq5mD-KUwGXFKia4C3yntXtmgcaoE82MZjAdoHYXJ8La78camcHbNw1nQZMO019MU-1-qOy~xLdItS7l0IpODm2iiQqwTDqaYLHhKlZn5bzLylUTAeZtJmixWnt-brNs3qKC8rnu5ErLznzT3SpOtf7lsHOVaDtEN1hKRZfUvGz8BTyFFlDXlrKbc5hBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County officials told commissioners that county health-care costs rose sharply last year and that staff are exploring options to reduce future premium shocks, including a third-party onsite clinic and a review of self-insurance.

The discussion matters because county staff said medical claims and prescription costs are driving usage higher than premiums cover, and officials expect another significant premium increase this year. Last year
n approximate 20% rise in health coverage costs required staff to transfer about $1 million into the employee benefit fund.

Chairman, Leavenworth County Commission, told commissioners, \"we had a 20% increase in our in the cost of of that coverage.\" A county staff member described a third-party option: a vendor identified in the transcript as Modern Nursing that would run a clinic for county employees and, because it would be a third party, could access and act on certain health data to help employees follow physician orders and manage prescriptions.

Staff noted possible tactics such as covering employee copays to improve prescription compliance, which they said could save money long term. The county staff member said he has been working on the clinic option for about a year and is trying to find a way to implement it without increasing overall budgeted costs.

County officials also discussed self-insurance. Staff said the county is large enough to consider self-insurance in the future but that current claim trends do not yet support switching from the county's existing market-based approach, because in a self-insured model the county would be responsible for any shortfall rather than the insurer.

Commissioners raised a separate program proposal that some outside presenters described as attractive but which staff said raised legal questions. The transcript notes Miami-Dade County has signed on to a version of that program but that implementation and ultimate legal exposure remain uncertain; county staff urged caution until other jurisdictions have implemented the program and withstood potential IRS scrutiny.

No formal policy change was adopted; staff were asked to continue analysis and return with details and budget impacts during the process.","Officials said health-care usage and prescription costs pushed last year's premiums up about 20%, requiring an emergency transfer into benefit funds. Staff are exploring a third-party on-site clinic (referred to as Modern Nursing) and continue to evaluate self-insurance but flagged legal and fiscal risks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616381,"Leavenworth County kicks off budget process, asks commissioners to set target; flat mill levy equates to about 2.5–3%",2759,6480,2766270,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea&start=6&end=2766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853262-ec09b3dcb3ce3881e8992583f9caeaea/thumbnail_6480.jpg","/articles/6616381/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-kicks-off-budget-process-asks-commissioners-to-set-target-flat-mill-levy-equates-to-about-253","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616381-1d3e4a9dfa3996d3223e816903e0dd6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207459&Signature=HnZymMYbs1feE3B6R-JIGP5h783dUWhQzEanDUcKd15wJlc1Y~vgtM3UrGlo7kRg3fEzXNzmzL9KRI485Y3e7lgtrrrh6prB9o~4vrmdI1g295LOzIGwd9srSCmKnGPMJ99OVrFJwN-WPDpkTfZgy15aV4EnzucSdxhxnSZOjGeOrpAa-Ot1IFmMzi43Y-t1efuWsgs1QWCToCcNfhysOyd7ol1~zUte7zlfL2Ek5HnRjd5S-JHsXd5ZsFEsIIaO8~v36jWuj6m8XDBBC~SDNw2Pk~OIBgu~lUrmWnfG1Nq7LwFp4jCK9CiiFG~EfiFS5Uoeprd~R3Y0HqMHSFog5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners formally began the annual budget process at a meeting where staff said work will continue through August and asked commissioners to give a target for department budget submissions.

The kickoff matters because staff said last year\u000ended with tighter-than-usual spending and an unforeseen transfer of about $1 million into employee benefit funds to cover a roughly 20% spike in health insurance costs. County leaders said that history informs this year
nd that a flat mill levy typically translates to department spending targets of roughly 2.5% to 3%.

Chairman, Leavenworth County Commission, summarized the start: \"Each year, we kinda start out in the budget process with this meeting where we kinda go go over a few things. And then also just to kind of formally, you know, we work on the budget at a staff level year round.\" He told commissioners the process begins now and will conclude in August, with multiple department and outside-agency meetings scheduled between now and the adoption date.

Staff asked commissioners to pick a budget goal in the coming weeks so departments can prepare. \"Where do you wanna see us come in?\" a county staff member told the commission, seeking direction on whether departments should plan for flat spending or for 2.5% or 3% increases.

Officials emphasized that a \"flat mill levy\" baseline commonly used by the county aligns with about a 2.5% to 3% budget target because property valuation and other revenue streams do not rise uniformly. County staff warned commissioners that, while property valuations rose this year, those gains translate into a smaller percentage of total revenue because other revenue streams are flat or declining.

The commission was also told that the county budget is in the roughly $60 million to $70 million range, depending on sales-tax-funded projects that fluctuate year to year. Staff noted sales tax is dedicated to capital projects (roads and bridges) and not to operating expenditures.

Commissioners were asked to compile specific goals for departments (for example, staffing or program initiatives) and to return a decision at an upcoming regular meeting so staff can finalize budget modeling and department instructions.

Less critical items discussed at the session included procedural reminders about public notices and the sequence of hearings that precede the final adoption in August.","County commissioners heard a budget kickoff briefing that outlined timeline, cash carryover, and a recommended baseline tied to a flat mill levy (about 2.5–3%). Officials warned of tight budgets, a recent $1 million transfer to employee benefits, and multiple meetings through August to finalize the FY budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Property valuations up 5.84%; commissioners cite residential reliance and press for Fort Leavenworth payments for county services

Commissioners weigh outside-agency funding and staffing pressures as Meals on Wheels waitlist grows

County grapples with rising health-care costs; staff exploring third-party clinic and wary of self-insurance

Leavenworth County kicks off budget process, asks commissioners to set target; flat mill levy equates to about 2.5–3%