[{"_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",6511677,"mediaKeyId","5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be","parentId",5213917,"title","Geary County adopts 2-year transient guest tax charter resolution, collections to start Jan. 1, 2026","audioSeconds",365,"startMs",5895000,"endMs",6260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be&start=5895&end=6260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be/thumbnail_5895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511677/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-adopts-2-year-transient-guest-tax-charter-resolution-collections-to-start-Jan-1-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511677-f52364df87909085ce536629fb7c7f55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150021&Signature=SGHsABngEcsgm71VJbDQsrMvzY5P2hIHDLVnNyKSopT5X1YGeOwomsXQF4yB7bYZVKd5ybzKEPxjSbqW4VPy1xcltRBGjgKazmn05hSMA64tpS53-3sNFHFZ2fMrQSNJoswyIDjaP-NZ9yDeiGcAvOYuGLK5T-ZVYrm6qI4h8-Vro4vDycR4WXNqnJ-nUiFJoRc7hPjB2g9Ae3amIg9Pavej5DDELU7dl7o8RKj2aKbPr84hCDDp6JX7ohkqFS2Ss9CJCwmrpy8UOhX2R7cdGP~lPkJmELShuPdIKx7~75m1YIobxKKC0HEsuhwUh1Svx8cqRFKFh21xA88JoqbEww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Geary County, KS","date","2025-07-07T18:06:53Z","article","The Geary County Board of County Commissioners on July 7 adopted a charter resolution to add an additional 1 percentage point to the county transient guest tax for a two-year period and to use interest on that fund for sports and recreation projects.

The resolution, as approved, places the additional 1% in the county's special sports escrow fund (the CVB-related fund as drafted) and permits the county to expend up to $100,000 per year, at the commission's discretion and after input from the county's community and visitor board (CVB), for renovation, expansion, maintenance or other improvements to existing sports and recreation facilities and programs. Commissioners set the start of collections for Jan. 1, 2026.

Commissioners discussed where any remaining balances should be sent if the temporary levy ceases; the final motion added language that remaining funds would be placed in the CVB general fund rather than the county general fund. Betsy (staff member) worked with commissioners on wording and confirmed the effective date language and the two-year sunset/renewal provision.

The resolution includes language that the additional 1% will be interest-bearing and that interest will be allocated monthly based on the fund's daily balance. Commissioners discussed using pooled interest rather than opening an additional checking account and confirmed that existing fund balances would be aggregated for interest allocation.

Commissioners moved, seconded and adopted the charter resolution in a recorded motion; the meeting transcript records the motion, a second and unanimous \"aye\" votes without individual named tallies.

The commission directed staff to prepare final documents for signature and to ensure the resolution text explicitly directs any remaining funds to the CVB general fund if the temporary levy is not renewed.

Why it matters: The additional 1% is intended to generate recurring interest revenue and some annual spending capacity for county sports and recreation projects while the temporary levy is in effect; the two-year window means the commission will review and choose whether to renew after seeing program outcomes.

What remains: Staff will finalize the charter resolution with the agreed language, and county finance staff will prepare the technical steps for starting collections Jan. 1, 2026. The commission also discussed timing for notice and publication to meet statutory timelines.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Geary County Meeting 07/07/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Geary County Board of County Commissioners on July 7 adopted a charter resolution adding 1 percentage point to the county transient guest tax for two years, creating an interest-bearing fund to support sports and recreation projects and setting collections to start Jan. 1, 2026.","taxTitle","Geary County, Kansas","taxId",63542,"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},6511663,"Residents urge transparency on proposed gas transmission relocation; commissioners say details are limited until survey complete",137,7253000,7390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be&start=7253&end=7390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be/thumbnail_7253000.jpg","/articles/6511663/Geary-County/Kansas/Residents-urge-transparency-on-proposed-gas-transmission-relocation-commissioners-say-details-are-limited-until-survey-complete","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511663-bbbc762885ad0583b3d8add0901595b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150021&Signature=KdE35V2BT2RqHYYVP6sTy-8Ho-PRaylnD8XnHLS7XYDnyLSt2Sp1K~br6NJE~Su8TdSuy3by03oXcVu2KqqhJR7GEMnUXvCk~TveKYA4QT9JxRwtphWpWwLOH0-v47axjWDUCIlyO32O7q2lAmZUxTS5hZfdJ55RLpPHQBG-DoSkUO2ued9bqysap~5BMow8L5q2U~Zl0j66JnZb7tEfT-YBUad6z-WZhf8CUbbqZCFSqeDYP9U6OATI-of8nvIEgQ0YsmvXvRqShPi-96ZneHnrnWePBHOiCIGdx9UlbtXWCh6GrM9qDgOHG~wfxK4ZMtEMmleGcknDWhRrQ06khg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the July 7 meeting a resident raised concerns about a proposed transmission-line project that would place a gas pipeline near parts of the county, asking for more transparency on safety and routing decisions.

Desiree Petra said she received a letter in April and that utility representatives have told property owners a transmission line relocation is being studied and must be moved into compliance by 2028. Petra asked why the county and the utility had not provided more detailed information on the compliance issues and on why the chosen routing is necessary.

Commissioners and staff answered that the utility (identified in the meeting as Kansas Gas/Kansas Gas Service and representatives from SMH Engineering) had told county staff they were in a surveying phase and had not finalized plans. Staff noted that the county had been offered limited information until the survey and evaluation phase were complete; commissioners said residents could also contact the utility and regulatory bodies for more technical detail.

Why it matters: Residents expressed concerns about property impacts, safety and notice. County officials said they would share information when the utility delivers finalized survey results and that affected landowners and the city would be kept informed.

What remains: The commenter said she would take the issue to city officials and state representatives for additional review; county staff recommended contacting the Kansas Corporation Commission or the utility for technical compliance records once surveys are complete.","A public commenter raised concerns about a proposed transmission gas line relocation near Old Highway 40, asking why the company and county had not provided full compliance information. County staff said the utility is conducting surveys and would provide more information when available.",{"_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},6511668,"Geary County budget draft shows $2.1 million increase over 2025; commission to decide whether to exceed revenue-neutral rate",1680,8040000,9720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be&start=8040&end=9720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be/thumbnail_8040000.jpg","/articles/6511668/Geary-County/Kansas/Geary-County-budget-draft-shows-21-million-increase-over-2025-commission-to-decide-whether-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511668-e6cba1b8906b007c3b17abfda1540dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150021&Signature=Ji484R3ON37db6FMXuYJVK~YPhjFPFlBbDq82v9PwX3Jq~p-5K6MEXSxU1OOWEouH-fjOFFYKo3GpijHaUQVtbdJ9W4svdSmzKj9onyqn8UxJrZTeLhHOzqmGhGCwHVy7MN0hv7SlojFdp4NLcVW41Bj4R~TJOcRXY5avFml0F5DdOF7tysjdGNL2xVtQrRXCXGlGwBh3udfxBQlNZBI0nzZdjAGvtLQZBAc9OKJFcnEQnMp-EipPB7PxbLnTEHcLQt8ZXWud~wAwVFurKos7DlaRtJ~iCgFYpdFIjaC3FGBBA6TduXQyZZEmC-M7w18z9PhWF-OY1cx8ES4nnGnQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geary County finance staff presented the commission with the draft 2026 budget and supporting worksheets during a July 7 budget work session, outlining the factors that push the proposed levy above the revenue-neutral rate.

Finance Director Timmy Robinson (presentation lead) told commissioners the draft budget shows total expenditures growing from approximately $31.5 million in 2025 to $32.6 million in 2026, an increase of about $1.1 million. Key drivers include a 27th payroll period (estimated at $591,034) and personnel-step and cost-of-living adjustments (a 1% COLA and 3% step increases were modeled).

Robinson explained the draft produces a proposed mill rate of about 59.428 mills, which is 6.926 mills higher than the clerk's calculated revenue-neutral rate of 52.502 mills. That represents an estimated revenue increase of about $2.0 million compared with revenue-neutral collections. The finance office included a historical delinquency factor (1.8%) and proposed revenue assumptions for sales tax and investment income in the draft.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on several points, including the calculation and impact of the 27th pay period, whether some onetime transfers (such as CIP transfers made earlier in 2025) might be used to reduce the levy pressure, and which outside agency appropriations could be adjusted. Finance staff noted that some decreases in department requests were voluntary and one-time actions (for example, a $500,000 voluntary decrease because of an earlier CIP transfer) and warned that onetime savings would not be repeatable in future budgets.

A procedural deadline: the commission must tell the county clerk by July 20 whether it intends to exceed the revenue-neutral rate; final budget documents are due to the clerk by Oct. 1 and must be published and hearings scheduled in advance of that date (publication and hearing windows were reviewed by staff).

What happens next: Commissioners planned a follow-up work session for further review and asked finance to provide historic series on sales tax, investment income and interest-and-penalty receipts to test revenue assumptions. Commissioners discussed holding an additional budget session July 14 or during the next regular meeting; staff offered to return with refined numbers.

Why it matters: The proposed budget would raise county tax collections above revenue-neutral levels if the commission proceeds, increasing the average property tax bill for residents; commissioners must weigh one-time versus ongoing choices and reserve policy commitments when deciding whether to exceed revenue-neutral.","County finance staff presented a 2026 budget draft showing a proposed mill increase that would exceed the revenue-neutral rate by 6.926 mills, largely driven by a 27th payroll period and personnel costs; the commission must tell the clerk by July 20 whether it intends to exceed revenue-neutral.",{"_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},6511672,"Votes at a glance: Geary County Commission approves facility purchases, repairs and contracts",142,2501000,2643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be&start=2501&end=2643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213917-18b5dfea0eb96eb9316f8c3abbd708be/thumbnail_2501000.jpg","/articles/6511672/Geary-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Geary-County-Commission-approves-facility-purchases-repairs-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511672-d8d388775bb1d5849762be92a8be1cf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150021&Signature=mthSdaZ1aFyMLIXl4MG03uIU9WC1nGsYsyqlebALfsjMwHKbshIndQF64sHhVEQ5cdok6cFSkOrHyhCr9mDFkv99fBv67OUnxMJLQO9StRhSVhXjdsRU9qxI16xuYmpAw5vKW6k-EsJSt83mRqKt4IfPM-iVjXM-VadUqoCTVuAyt1pH5pXdQ0SFeYdP~~NSRcu-Evn16F1ugTJC7YdY35PN-eDGi9xmGPfDm5mIkz6~Q4qmXCEDJZY~QLn1a00R6z8URkOGmJ6XSdrH--5iuChhlz4mwORy8yKMEUutgU5Se1v6pd~GoySQ4b-ZekH~eXCBHOe9nAq4VlXxgz7chg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Geary County Board of County Commissioners on July 7 approved multiple procurement and budget items in a single session, voting on equipment purchases, claims and contracts for county facilities and services.

Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Special bridge inspection payment: Commissioners approved submitting payment of $5,150 to the Kansas Department of Transportation for a statewide special bridge inspection on the Skidi and Clarks Creek bridge. Motion moved and seconded; commissioners voiced approval.

- Sheriff's building water-detection system: The commission approved purchase of a Monette water-sensor system for the sheriff's facility at $4,427.52, with an annual recurring subscription fee of $120. The system includes 20 sensor pucks and gateways; staff said alerts can be routed to sheriff and maintenance personnel.

- Sheriff's janitorial RFP: Staff announced that RFPs for janitorial services at the sheriff's office were issued, due Aug. 1, 2025; commissioners directed staff to return with a drafted contract for commission approval before award.

- GIS zoning camera and electronic door-entry update: Commissioners reviewed bids for camera and electronic door entry at a county facility and indicated support for proceeding with the low bid (Ready Systems at $3,359.21) to be paid from the facilities fund, pending final approval.

- Insurance payment for totaled dump truck: A $95,514.21 insurance check for a dump truck deemed a total loss was deposited to the county CIP fund and earmarked for public works replacement; commissioners approved earmarking the funds for replacement.

- Courthouse project and historic grant: Phase 1 of a courthouse touch-up project is complete; staff said paperwork is being finalized to receive a $100,000 state historic-preservation grant to support later phases; no formal vote recorded beyond status update.

- Boiler-room overtime: Staff requested and the commission approved 2 hours of overtime for a building-maintenance employee who responded after hours to a boiler-room leak on Jun. 20, 2025; motion moved, seconded and approved.

- Noxious-weed trailer purchase: Commissioners approved purchase of a 5,500-pound tandem-axle trailer for the Noxious Weed Department from Tractor Supply for $3,699.99, to be paid from the Noxious Weed Capital Outlay Fund.

- Public-works and road operations: Staff provided status updates on chip-seal, crack-seal and other road work; commissioners received the reports and approved depositing insurance funds for the totaled truck to CIP for replacement.

Why it matters: These approvals fund equipment and systems intended to protect county assets (water sensors), maintain infrastructure (bridge inspections, chip sealing) and keep routine operations running (janitorial services and trailer replacement).

What to watch next: Staff will place orders for approved equipment and bring drafted contracts back to the commission for formal award where required. For the janitorial contract the RFP opening is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2025.","On July 7 the Geary County Commission approved a batch of routine but budgeted items including a $5,150 bridge inspection fee, a $4,427.52 water-detection system for the sheriff's building and purchase of a noxious-weed trailer, and accepted a $95,514.21 insurance payment for a totaled public-works truck.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Geary County adopts 2-year transient guest tax charter resolution, collections to start Jan. 1, 2026

Residents urge transparency on proposed gas transmission relocation; commissioners say details are limited until survey complete

Geary County budget draft shows $2.1 million increase over 2025; commission to decide whether to exceed revenue-neutral rate

Votes at a glance: Geary County Commission approves facility purchases, repairs and contracts