The Butler County commission held a legislative work session to review a draft 2026 agenda the commission will carry to Topeka. The proposed priorities include support for special legislation to allow the county to adopt a local option sales tax for property tax relief, public capital improvements or economic development incentives; modernization of motor vehicle services and fee structures; and modification or elimination of statutorily required legal publications.

County officials said the proposed language would give Butler County authority to use a special‑use sales tax for one of three purposes — property tax relief, public capital projects, or economic development incentives — and that project-based sales taxes would expire when a project is complete. Commissioners discussed narrowing the request to property tax relief if needed to secure legislative support. The presentation repeatedly emphasized that any sales‑tax measure would still go to local voters.

On motor vehicle services, staff urged state action to improve software reliability and allow more online transactions, reduce in‑office renewals and modernize fee structures. Commissioners noted the county once transferred excess motor vehicle fees to the general fund and that staffing and benefits costs have grown; they discussed showing the state the true operational costs by charging rent back to motor vehicle operations so the state can consider funding changes.

Commissioners discussed the legal‑publication requirement for tax notices and other statutory publications under K.S.A. 19‑26— (discussion referenced the statute number during the meeting). Staff suggested the county seek language eliminating or reducing legal publication requirements and instead rely on mailed notices and online posting to reduce cost and avoid printing errors. Commissioners argued that current publication requirements increase cost, produce errors (staff reported printing inserts were omitted in some mailings), and impose administrative burdens.

Other legislative bullets discussed in the work session included support for K‑254 highway safety and funding, additional funding for state park maintenance, concerns around KPERS parity for certain law enforcement-related programs, and thanking past legislators for bills that helped county priorities.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to polish the proposed language, reduce scope where needed to increase chances of passage, and prepare materials for meetings with state legislators ahead of the 2026 session.