[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6658232,"mediaKeyId","5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202","parentId",5028247,"title","Valley Center presents first draft 2026 budget as assessed valuation jumps about 15%; employee benefits fund flagged","audioSeconds",762,"startMs",2338000,"endMs",3100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202&start=2338&end=3100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202/thumbnail_2338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658232/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Valley-Center-presents-first-draft-2026-budget-as-assessed-valuation-jumps-about-15-employee-benefits-fund-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658232-bc4460954437238f8450294999b2f5f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135939&Signature=fyIquJIvY27Y6mreZPj0HYa8X~5XTSdMsLYa6U7zJk2QM6ZzuYwVPnEeKBk8ZAKzf0HN01PbFAQ0nhUilBpIL80r9sMvy7o-ZxN4QnAOsZil27gQxuGGjTD6SHlJ8ThTNhDSsmwvBk0p4dg0gf76xTW6wcPyo7M0c63dFmNyDJqcq~XME39pYyGaTvCXMSg2E4qiTB~N9KIEUJfYTx948rIdFO3LbHSo6pvfXE82JjJ2U0FLnQxj4RN0wPQN6hDDD2~0hl2RsOILj-CeeWRTvZJy-IhjFwsj1A3QSNDa1ywufkuHH8OM3yFYq~ytNdyNMRrFzotafG3ApxDDVDVUqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Valley Center, KS","date","2025-06-19T13:49:39Z","article","City staff presented the first draft of Valley Center's 2026 budget at the council meeting, reporting an estimated total assessed valuation of $87,769,650 (a roughly 15.172% increase over last year), a proposed mill levy rate of 53.656 and a number of fund-level changes. Staff emphasized uncertainty in the employee benefits fund and confirmed the city's ARPA funds have been spent and the account closed.

The presenter said the valuation increase came from new construction ($4.3 million), property changes ($1.25 million), a $1.3 million increase in the TIF district and higher assessed values for existing properties. Using those numbers, staff calculated a revenue-neutral rate of roughly 47.592 mills and proposed a mill levy of 53.656 mills for the 2026 budget year.

Staff described concerns about employee benefits reserves: a recent close-out of 2024 claims produced a large number of finalized bills and reimbursements settled under the city's stop-loss arrangement. The presenter said, \"we are pretty much out of reserves in this account, and we need to dedicate some additional mills to it,\" and asked council to consider a one-time transfer to rebuild reserves. The budget draft includes a proposed one-time transfer of $250,000 (fund-source designated in the draft) to employee benefits to cover unusually high recent claims.

Other notable budget items and clarifications included:
- The TIF district assessment rose substantially (from about $94,000 last year to roughly $1.366 million in the draft), which drove much of the valuation increase. Staff said the county provided valuation numbers used in the draft.
- The city is proposing a one-time migration of servers to a cloud-hosted environment (projected one-time cost of $34,615 with annual savings thereafter).
- Community development will receive a new advertising fund next year (approximate $20,000) intended to support housing and economic development promotion.
- The budget draft projects modest net operating changes and shows the city will manage interest income by directing earnings to funds with specific reserve needs.

During the presentation council members asked if the city levied a cemetery tax; staff clarified the city currently does not have a dedicated cemetery tax and that developing a cemetery master plan had been discussed for the coming year. Staff said a more detailed budget presentation and additional documentation on employee benefits claims will be provided in a subsequent budget meeting. No formal vote on the budget occurred at the meeting; the presentation was informational and part of the ongoing budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 6.18.2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented the first draft of Valley Center's 2026 budget showing an estimated total assessed valuation of about $87.8 million (a roughly 15.17% increase), a proposed mill levy of 53.656 and red flags on the employee benefits fund due to higher-than-expected medical claims.","taxTitle","Valley Center, Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",61696,"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},6658236,"Council authorizes financing and assessments, and approves SEH engineering contract for Harbor Valley Phase 2",102,1848000,1950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202&start=1848&end=1950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202/thumbnail_1848000.jpg","/articles/6658236/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Council-authorizes-financing-and-assessments-and-approves-SEH-engineering-contract-for-Harbor-Valley-Phase-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658236-d62f66251f1faa908517e144cd33da2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135939&Signature=LAffIkuUupRN2CvCdixUG44iSOr7AyUxpupVL0dYUx6kBnffUgGbE53CoxQiT1DoV9IH2jcSA-dKJCWFUDoHHgEWYfGJRoUVTQnmAdWKlAt-E9t83r257HLmIX3UZV9tD4dE7pJTBCr42JUUwbnWqq376bybtUC6bk-RGSZrMrWfs0f3~C9cgBoxfSg7J6R2cZB--9HHrkdV3Eez9kO-YkJ4IPYFKpxpVTT8rfFPF~9b4trmpxXjJtQWBcTWR4Nyi0lwC9cNUsD4LbBm0zuPg20QvnXMK-5cyNw7JFURUXHVKBlOiYl6NauY-QfuQg4GcZjdFgoVwDhREQGYj5a5uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Valley Center City Council voted to authorize construction financing and special assessments for drainage, paving and water improvements in Harbor Valley Phase 2 and approved a professional services agreement with SEH for engineering work valued at $1,395,100.

Garth Herman, bond counsel with Gilmore, told the council the property owners requested that the city construct drainage improvements to serve the subdivision's 29 lots and finance the work; once the projects are complete, costs will be specially assessed back to those properties. Herman described the financing approach and confirmed the assessments will cover 100% of the final costs for the affected lots.

Council considered three separate but related resolutions: resolution 785-25 authorizing construction financing for drainage improvements; resolution 786-25 approving payment agreements for the same subdivision improvements; and resolution 787-25 authorizing construction financing for water improvements serving Harbor Valley Phase 2. For each resolution the council had a motion and second and approved the measures by voice vote.

Council members asked clarifying questions during the presentation, including whether the water service would be city water (the response was that the lots are served by city water). The council also approved a professional services agreement with SEH for Harbor Valley Phase 2 engineering services in the amount of $1,395,100. The motion to approve the SEH agreement passed by voice vote.

The council recorded no roll-call tallies in the transcript; each measure was approved by voice vote and announced as \"motion carried.\" The record shows the approvals set the financing path for Harbor Valley Phase 2 and delegate engineering oversight to SEH. The costs for the improvements are expected to be specially assessed against the subdivision's 29 lots once final project costs are known.","Valley Center approved three resolutions authorizing construction financing and assessment processes for drainage, paving and water improvements in Harbor Valley Phase 2, and approved a professional services agreement with SEH for engineering work ($1,395,100). Property owners will be specially assessed for the 29 lots in the subdivision.",{"_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},6658239,"Valley Center approves $2,742 contribution to PBS Kansas after presentation from station president",953,104000,1057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202&start=104&end=1057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028247-5b372022303ec4ef510c8042f046e202/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6658239/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Valley-Center-approves-2742-contribution-to-PBS-Kansas-after-presentation-from-station-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658239-084474128eb03baf3ee1dc9945c56f65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135939&Signature=Ct3pKwJFPqw5KeguCFlHV0WuzcTyBMkirAg3vPIvzwbKivQ4Ty7kJkB8Fy3GyG1DP-QQU4tiommUh0~V1IrIObddDWxrfw9PVFoHFYE02rxlbaXKs11BwM5Hk0o5Vmu3rmMSa6OBoKQc--Cj1TEyIj-hDjYhQz-zfApFRSNbfxa1wpgun~rIS~T1-T4QzqZR6sjpcP5WRzz0xhUxONWLZxmguPPinPMLUVs2lVzKFdlZBJzScRRORMCKDt9dMyB~7cnHZahvC5sLWcsd9GDj4LSY4GEtGi5KL~qgrojvP0~YAr2xYFfeb6NEZvTg-A3cUbx6dw1jGv019zORRvCMCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Valley Center City Council voted to contribute $2,742 to PBS Kansas as a city partnership contribution after a presentation from Victor Hochstrom, president of KPTS (PBS Kansas).

Hochstrom told the council the station provides locally focused programs and promotional spots for partner cities and said the partnership package has an estimated value of more than $90,000. He asked the council for a $5,000 contribution but answered questions about the reach and services offered while council members weighed the request against the town's limited budget and demographic goals.

The council's discussion focused on two themes: the promotional value to Valley Center and the town's current budget priorities. Hochstrom described locally produced programs and promotional placements that feature partner cities and noted the station reaches a substantial Kansas audience, saying the station \"reaches 400,000 homes.\" Council members and staff said the city's budget is tight and that promotional partnerships should align with the city's current economic development goals.

After discussion, a council member made a motion to approve the city partnership contribution to PBS Kansas in the amount of $2,742; another member seconded the motion. The council took a voice vote; the mayor announced the motion carried.

The contribution approved was smaller than the $5,000 amount Hochstrom cited as his initial request. Council members who spoke during the discussion asked staff-level questions about prior use of station services by Valley Center and whether the city had used all offerings tied to previous sponsorships. The presenter and staff noted the city had received station IDs and 30-second promotional spots in earlier partnership packages.","The Valley Center City Council voted to contribute $2,742 to PBS Kansas (KPTS) following a presentation on the station's local programming and promotional value; Council members said budget constraints and demographic fit shaped a reduced contribution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Valley Center presents first draft 2026 budget as assessed valuation jumps about 15%; employee benefits fund flagged

Council authorizes financing and assessments, and approves SEH engineering contract for Harbor Valley Phase 2

Valley Center approves $2,742 contribution to PBS Kansas after presentation from station president