Johnson County commissioners approve resolutions to exceed revenue-neutral rate for county, parks and library funds

At a public budget hearing, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt three resolutions authorizing property-tax levies that exceed the state'calculated revenue-neutral rate for the county, the parks and recreation taxing district and the library taxing district.

Robin Simes of the county's budget and financial planning department presented the proposed 2026 budget and explained the drivers for higher spending, including inflation, growth in demand for services and reductions in some state revenue sources. Simes said the county's proposed overall budget is $1.9 billion, including $1.39 billion in expenditures and about $500 million in reserves, and described several specific budget items and constraints. She noted, "MedEx response time goal is arriving on scene under 10 minutes 90% of the time," when describing public-safety performance targets and the pressure on emergency response as call volume rises among older residents.

The board then permitted public comment. Dozens of residents and organization representatives spoke for and against the proposed levy increases. Those opposing the change urged commissioners to hold the mill levy at the revenue-neutral rate, cited the county's roughly $500 million in reserves and raised concerns about rising assessments, fixed incomes for seniors and the pace of FTE increases. Supporters said the county's services'from mental-health crisis care to libraries and parks'would suffer without additional funding and pointed to demographic shifts and rising service demands.

After public comment, Commissioner John Myers moved to adopt Resolution 080-25 (county taxing district), Resolution 081-25 (parks and recreation taxing district) and Resolution 082-25 (library taxing district). Each motion was seconded by Commissioner Allenbrand. The roll calls on all three motions were identical: Commissioners Fast, Myers, Brewer, Hanslick, Allenbrand and Chairman Mike Kelly voted yes; Commissioner Ashcraft voted no. Each resolution passed 6–1.

The board closed the hearing and recorded that the formal budget adoption is scheduled for August 28, 2025, with additional review of public comments to be returned to the board on August 21, 2025.

Why it matters: The three votes allow the county and two dedicated taxing districts to levy property taxes above the state'calculated revenue-neutral rate for 2026; the final tax bills residents receive will depend on assessed values, the final adopted mill levies on August 28, and any successful appeals of property assessments.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 080-25 (Johnson County taxing district): Moved by Commissioner John Myers; seconded by Commissioner Allenbrand. Purpose: authorize a levy exceeding the revenue-neutral rate of 16.217 mills for the county taxing district. Vote: 6 yes (Fast, Myers, Brewer, Hanslick, Allenbrand, Kelly), 1 no (Ashcraft). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 081-25 (Johnson County Park and Recreation taxing district): Moved by Commissioner John Myers; seconded by Commissioner Allenbrand. Purpose: authorize a levy exceeding the revenue-neutral rate of 2.836 mills for the parks and recreation taxing district. Vote: 6 yes (Fast, Myers, Brewer, Hanslick, Allenbrand, Kelly), 1 no (Ashcraft). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 082-25 (Johnson County Library taxing district): Moved by Commissioner John Myers; seconded by Commissioner Allenbrand. Purpose: authorize a levy exceeding the revenue-neutral rate of 3.580 mills for the library taxing district. Vote: 6 yes (Fast, Myers, Brewer, Hanslick, Allenbrand, Kelly), 1 no (Ashcraft). Outcome: approved.

Details from the county presentation and public comments: - Budget totals presented: $1.9 billion total budget; $1.39 billion operating expenditures; roughly $500 million in reserves. The county's share of property-tax revenue (ad valorem) was presented as $288 million (excluding parks and library levies). - Mill levy estimate: Simes said the mill levy is estimated to remain flat compared with 2025 at approximately 24.125 mills after final appeals are resolved in October. - Staffing and capital: The proposed budget listed about 4,409 FTEs and Simes said there are no new county tax-supported FTEs in the 2026 tax-supported budget; some new positions are funded with grants or repurposed funding. The proposed capital improvement program total for 2026 was presented at $347.5 million (projects over $100,000 and with useful life greater than five years). Simes cited the Corinth Library project as a $33 million project with no 2026 tax-supported library funding and an estimated annual debt payment of $1.4 million beginning in 2027 funded within the library mill levy. - Revenues and reserves: Simes walked through dedicated revenue sources that fund specific programs (wastewater fees, stormwater sales tax, library and parks funding) and reiterated the county's reserve target (presented as 28%). Multiple public commenters questioned the size of reserves (several speakers cited roughly $500 million) and urged using reserves to avoid a levy increase. - Public concerns: Frequent themes in public comments included the impact on seniors and residents on fixed incomes, uneven or large assessment increases on individual properties, perceived lack of cost controls (including questions about FTE growth and specific past transactions), and equity of tax incentives and abatements. Supporters of the budget emphasized the county's services, public-safety response goals, mental-health funding and library services.

What the board said and next steps: Chairman Mike Kelly and commissioners noted statutory timing constraints for the revenue-neutral vote under Kansas law and invited continued dialogue on state-level reform of appraisal and revenue-neutral procedures. The board recorded that it will review public comments again on August 21, 2025, and will hold the formal budget adoption vote on August 28, 2025.

Ending: With the motions passed, the county has authorized levies above the revenue-neutral rate for the three taxing districts; the final tax impacts for property owners will depend on adopted mill levies, appraisal appeals and later administrative steps tied to the August 28 adoption.