The City Commission of Pittsburg, Kansas, held a public hearing on September 9, 2025, to discuss the proposed 2026 budget, which has raised significant concerns among residents regarding discrepancies in the financial documents.

During the meeting, residents voiced their worries about inconsistencies in the budget figures available online and in printed copies. Christie Bittner, a local resident, highlighted numerous discrepancies, including conflicting totals for expenditures and missing information on key budget components such as personnel costs and tax revenues. Bittner emphasized that these errors could mislead the public and urged the commission to reconsider approving the budget in its current form.

City officials acknowledged the issues raised by Bittner, explaining that the budget document is a complex compilation of linked spreadsheets, which can lead to errors. They assured the public that while the budget book contains inaccuracies, the core figures that the commission would be voting on were accurate and would be updated following the meeting. The city’s finance team is working towards implementing a new financial management system to prevent such discrepancies in the future.

The proposed budget includes significant allocations for various city services, including a general fund expenditure of approximately $31.7 million and a debt service budget of nearly $4.95 million. Despite the concerns raised, the commission is expected to approve the budget, with the understanding that corrections will be made to the public documents afterward.

As the city moves forward, residents are encouraged to stay engaged and informed about the budget process, as it directly impacts community services and financial planning for the coming year. The commission's next steps will involve addressing the public's concerns and ensuring transparency in the budget approval process.