Kansas Association of Counties urges local control, flags rising costs for mandated services

Jay Hall, deputy director and general counsel for the Kansas Association of Counties, told the Committee on Local Government that counties are facing rising costs for statutorily mandated services and urged lawmakers to preserve local control while considering options to reduce reliance on property taxes.

Hall said the association, which this year marked its 50th anniversary, represents county officials and provides technical assistance and training on issues including open meetings, cybersecurity and budgeting. "We are an instrumentality of the state," Hall said, noting the organization is established by statute and is subject to open records and open meetings laws.

The association outlined mandated county responsibilities that can drive local budgets: property tax collection and valuation, elections and voting equipment, court facilities, prosecution, public health (including immunizations and rabies control), emergency management, solid waste planning and jails. Hall emphasized that counties perform both legally required services and locally determined services such as parks and museums. "Local…