[{"_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",6481198,"mediaKeyId","5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e","parentId",5444960,"title","Osage County delays decision on CHAMP benefit plan pending more information","audioSeconds",2676,"startMs",7724000,"endMs",10400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e&start=7724&end=10400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e/thumbnail_7724000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481198/Osage-County/Kansas/Osage-County-delays-decision-on-CHAMP-benefit-plan-pending-more-information","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481198-314701f0bf0be6f8ed69ccb599b92fcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449426&Signature=WJqNld~BOGE0PDYjViMTjF9X7Q8FrigSY7cJyW2LNkm~hThDMKaADPZ3iF6CXiHB0mZt5E9XVel8AjX4jUi8j4ir~rJxus0ovI519JAjk09PzaS-x2PPmo4yMqYlmC0-jc4SCd7T6C8IhIzmhcQUKamtLcpcUstb5yn2tFLBXv7XJ5XJdUUb~i8EagvJMzrRzK0KPeI~-x1BS-eXSKQf0R9pkch5WQwuCPtLw77cXuhQSpSsOUftkWbYt5fleNbVM38hxJTVrL5Mur3w6zzOALNZIUjnZa9Wkv0iKIRYff1j8c1tsrW3wMiEk6eBk5PU4WuUFIIbrOP9R-ZBgu5mEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Osage County, KS","date","2025-07-22T17:54:20.65Z","article","Osage County commissioners discussed an employee benefit proposal often referred to in the meeting as the CHAMP plan, described by presenters as a private-sector “enhancement” to employee benefits that could affect payroll withholding and take-home pay.

Commissioners said they were not ready to adopt the plan, citing insufficient information, potential federal tax and withholding complexity, and the risk of future financial liabilities if the program were not administered correctly. Several commissioners suggested waiting until the county’s migration to a new payroll system (ADP) is completed and until other government entities’ experiences with the product are clearer.

Commissioners and staff asked for additional detail from the vendor, including concrete examples of cost and benefit impacts for employees and the county. Staff said they had not been able to identify other county governments using the product and that responses to an inquiry to a government listserv produced no confirmed local government implementations. The commission directed staff to continue information gathering and to defer any policy decision to a later date.

No vote was taken to adopt the CHAMP plan; the commission’s prevailing direction was to table the matter and request a fuller cost‑benefit presentation and payroll impact analysis before any commitment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Osage County Commission Meeting July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners heard a presentation and questions on a private-sector benefit enhancement (CHAMP) and decided to delay any decision until more information and payroll data are available; several commissioners expressed caution about legal and tax risks.","taxTitle","Osage County, Kansas","taxId",73452,"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},6481204,"Osage County tables decision on franchise fee for Cox; clerk to survey other providers",100,426000,526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e&start=426&end=526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e/thumbnail_426000.jpg","/articles/6481204/Osage-County/Kansas/Osage-County-tables-decision-on-franchise-fee-for-Cox-clerk-to-survey-other-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481204-df05611dd3cdbd8c213c55f92e2afbd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449426&Signature=O5xsd5ErRwLiCMmF4UotdZKZNsoldyp1PZuEEkGRVdG1CQln3Z4n0lZv1RANKp8Qo6I1ExS7o9BNC2EJgwiD3USlKlv9fwetVVEsp-sTriNs1fGxzSh4l9aiQiLRrTcVPT0cuUEvxboS5mEW7Llf0aw8OKHaR69mip8NJVtqRsFaIYRplGF~kdxCvF1goC4NKaKnJ1xSBqAYk73UKjCWvRmEciQti0~4gFAyQSu6RGxqeF6a3W0KLA57aOFoCfQDhqqz2E9JSm1QSImPiaCt1tr6ncIJIaz7orKlSrHKgZFzj2OcphFOrI80H6R5-H0iA2b1QRoaFFLHaHeikYtREA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Osage County commissioners on Tuesday discussed a letter from Cox Communications that included required contact information and a question about franchise fees for providing services within the county.

Commissioners decided to table further action and asked Clerk Michelle Morris to contact other local media and communications providers to determine whether the county has existing franchise-fee arrangements. Commissioners noted Kansas law allows municipalities to levy franchise fees of up to 5% and said they do not want to apply a fee to one provider and not others without a comparable policy.

During the conversation, officials said Cox’s letter requires the county to be notified of any changes and asks what type of franchise fee the county would like. Several commissioners urged that the county adopt a consistent approach, either by matching fees across providers or creating a uniform policy.

County Counselor Josh Nye was asked to review existing contracts and, if needed, draft a county-specific agreement for commissioners to consider. Clerk Michelle Morris said she expected to have contact information and be able to follow up within a week or two.

No formal vote occurred; the item was placed back on the agenda as unfinished business pending review of contracts and responses from other providers.","Commissioners discussed a notice from Cox and whether to impose a franchise fee of up to 5%; they directed staff to check contracts with other providers and return with recommendations.",{"_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},6481206,"Osage County adopts transient guest tax, approves charter cap and begins implementation",2636,2471000,5107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e&start=2471&end=5107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444960-a438545567f30a7080fae6efdcaff64e/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6481206/Osage-County/Kansas/Osage-County-adopts-transient-guest-tax-approves-charter-cap-and-begins-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481206-17abd725d7d02c35823735c5bc7bc043/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449426&Signature=AxE20qxm67069N20uT2S6G8fmSBUaUqgUSWwfJKHIPB6e8iVGdJP6YqfxqRDm~sASp1t1tbPHVV3UcFkE7RnrI0sgKKaFt1Ubmk5wgM0XjXHZzK8lGaiNbveCw-wfswyNO~GQhh~1B6fSFh5o0cL8Rr8U7ieAZytjHrdOPQZIGgqGwABF44u1XqsgFoH~lMBEzOUHKXSU5ncvJMatpAEaUiZRU6DPBuTKTwjqlmObi0l6XrTZwe7xZz6rVM~npmWrU96KowN3CoNhMDqjbt9yKqQYSbB5k0PnYZ6nRJmxbmjd7K9T623qMxLmcAOkG-14HkU6bTPU3hjuUJ~5cRp2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Osage County Commission on Tuesday approved a local transient guest tax and a companion charter resolution that gives the county authority to set higher maximum rates in the future.

The commission adopted Resolution 2025-19 to implement an initial 2% transient guest tax and then approved Charter Resolution C-2025-17 to reserve local authority to cap the tax at a higher percentage; publication and a 61-day protest period will follow before any higher rate becomes effective.

The tax, as described by Colleen Mendoza, Osage County’s economic development director, is “a local lodging tax ... paid for by visitors who are coming into the county, not on our residents.” Mendoza said the revenue is intended to fund tourism promotion activities such as website costs, social media, advertising and creation of events.

Mendoza walked the commission through examples from neighboring counties to illustrate potential revenue: Franklin County (6% rate) yields about $150,000 annually for a county of about 26,000 people, Wabaunsee’s new 4% tax is expected to produce roughly $20,000 in its first year, and Great Bend (6%) generates about $400,000 annually for a population roughly the size of Osage County. Mendoza also said Shawnee County’s 8% rate yields nearly $1 million a year.

County Counselor Josh Nye explained the legal steps. The initial resolution registers the county for a 2% rate so collections can begin for a future quarter. If the commission wants a higher rate (for example, 5% or 6%), the charter resolution establishes a cap and starts a 61-day protest period during which a valid petition can force a referendum. Nye said the Kansas Department of Revenue will collect and remit the tax to the county treasurer; Osage County would retain 98% for local use while 2% is retained by the state Department of Revenue for administration and enforcement.

Commissioners discussed options for a cap. Commissioners expressed support for setting a relatively high charter cap (several commissioners suggested 8% as a maximum) while starting collections at 2% so the county can begin generating revenue for tourism work this fall. Mendoza said she would publish the required legal notice in the newspaper for two consecutive weeks and follow up with letters to short-term rental owners and businesses.

The commission approved both measures in separate votes. County officials said collections would be remitted monthly, reported quarterly to the county treasurer, and would become effective on a delayed schedule to allow filing and accounting changes.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-19: “A resolution adopting a transient guest tax, pursuant to KSA 12-169” — adopted (motion moved; vote recorded as aye, motion passes).
- Charter Resolution C-2025-17: “Charter resolution exempting the county of Osage, Kansas from the provisions of KSA 12-1697, and establishing provisions for a transient guest tax” — adopted (motion moved; vote recorded as aye, motion passes).
- Other actions at the same meeting (summary): see county-wide votes listed below under “Other formal actions”.

Why this matters
Local transient guest taxes are paid by short-term lodging guests (rentals of 28 days or fewer); they are commonly used to fund tourism marketing and events. Mendoza emphasized that the county’s residents are not the direct payers; rather, visitors who rent lodging pay the charge. Commissioners indicated the revenue would be directed to marketing, website development, and event creation intended to increase visitor spending in the county.

Implementation and next steps
County staff will publish the required legal notice for two consecutive weeks, post the resolution on the county website, send a letter to short-term rental operators, and coordinate with the Kansas Department of Revenue on registration and remittance. Commissioners set a 61‑day window for the protest period created by the charter resolution; the commission will return after that period to consider a final annual rate (subject to the charter cap) if no valid petition is filed.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting
- Initial, implemented rate chosen for registration/collection: 2% (Resolution 2025-19).
- Charter cap discussed: commissioners discussed a cap as high as 8%; several commissioners expressed support for a cap in the 5–8% range. The commission approved the charter resolution to establish authority for a cap (C-2025-17).
- Exemptions: the county will not apply the tax to rentals lasting more than 28 days or to rooms paid directly by the federal government.
- Distribution: commission noted the typical distribution is 98% to the local entity and 2% retained by the state Department of Revenue for administration.
- Timeline: staff indicated collections could begin for the fourth quarter after registration and the necessary administrative steps; a 61-day protest petition period was referenced for charter adjustments.

Ending
Commissioners said they expect the new revenue to support tourism promotion work already included in the 2026 economic development budget. Mendoza said she will circulate follow-up materials to commissioners and to short-term rental owners and will return to the commission after the 61-day period with any required next steps.","Osage County commissioners voted to adopt a 2% transient guest (lodging) tax and approved a charter resolution setting a cap to allow higher future rates; county staff will publish notice and return in 61 days to set a longer-term rate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Osage County delays decision on CHAMP benefit plan pending more information

Osage County tables decision on franchise fee for Cox; clerk to survey other providers

Osage County adopts transient guest tax, approves charter cap and begins implementation