Harvey County Commissioners Set Maximum Tax Levy at $19.26M for 2026 Budget

The Harvey County Commission convened on July 15, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of warrant checks and discussions surrounding the upcoming budget for 2026.

The meeting commenced with the approval of warrant checks totaling $382,763.75. A motion was made and seconded, and the commission unanimously voted in favor of the approval, confirming the checks were in order, with one minor correction noted regarding a charge to the wrong department.

Following this, the commission moved to adopt Resolution 2025-20, which enacts a moratorium on commercial battery energy storage systems. This resolution had been discussed in a previous meeting, and the current session was primarily for formal signing after necessary corrections were made. The commissioners confirmed that the resolution was ready for signature, ensuring clarity for the public regarding the timeline of discussions.

The next significant item on the agenda was the consideration of a combined notice for a revenue neutral rate hearing and a budget hearing for the 2026 budget. The county is required to set a maximum tax levy and notify the public as the proposed budget exceeds the revenue neutral rate. The maximum tax levy for 2026 was set at $19,255,616, with a proposed tax rate of 45.339 mills, reflecting an increase of approximately 1.25 mills from the previous year.

The hearings are scheduled for August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM, where the public will have the opportunity to provide input before the budget is adopted. The commissioners emphasized that while the maximum tax levy is set, it can be lowered during the budget adoption process.

In conclusion, the meeting effectively addressed financial approvals and set the stage for public engagement regarding the upcoming budget, with the next steps clearly outlined for the community.