Geary County Commission adopts 2026 budget and approves tax rates above revenue-neutral levels

Geary County Commissioners voted Sept. 8 to adopt the county’s proposed 2026 budget and approved resolutions allowing the county and Fire District No. 1 to levy property taxes above their revenue-neutral rates.

The action follows public hearings and staff presentations on revenue, department requests and adjustments. Finance director Tim Robinson opened the hearing and a staff member identified as Tammy presented levy and budget details, saying the county’s proposed mill levy is 56.301 mills and the county’s revenue-neutral rate is 52.502 mills. Commissioners then took a series of roll-call votes approving resolutions and the budget authority for the county and several special districts.

Why it matters: The commission’s votes set tax levies and the county’s legal spending authority for 2026. County staff said the proposed budget reflects lower estimated revenues, wage and benefit increases, insurance and transportation cost increases, capital needs and statutory obligations (including indigent defense). Commissioners said they sought cuts and transfers to reduce pressure on ad valorem taxpayers while maintaining services such as roads and public safety.

Tim Robinson introduced the public hearings and Tammy outlined the budget numbers, including the proposed mill levy (56.301) and the revenue-neutral rate for the county (52.502). Tammy told the commission the overall county budget authority for 2026 (excluding special districts) is $48,000,009.98 and described a series of decreases and increases across departments that produced roughly a $1.0 million increase compared with the prior year. She and commissioners said some departmental appropriations were reduced, some federal-funded positions were removed, and certain capital and contract costs required increases.

During the public comment portion, resident Gary Oles addressed the commission about the hearings and taxes, saying the notice language had changed and urging transparency. He said, "If you live in Geary County and hold a quarter‑million dollar home, your property taxes, at least based on the published rate, ... are gonna cost you $1,650." John Moyer, another resident, urged commissioners to prioritize roads, 911 and emergency services. Commissioners and staff responded to questions about website notices, outreach and the calendar for hearings.

Commissioners discussed appropriations to community groups and said those were reduced this year to help offset ad valorem needs; several programs were moved to transient guest tax or economic development funds so ad valorem dollars would no longer cover them. Commissioners also discussed a capital plan for fire services and a compromise to spread a capital purchase for Fire District No. 1 over more than one year to lower the immediate levy impact.

After public comment, the commission conducted roll-call votes. The three commissioners on the dais recorded votes in favor of the county resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, the county general fund budget, and the budgets for Fire District No. 1, the Dorothy Bramlidge Public Library fund, Water District No. 2 and Sewer District No. 4. The commission also approved the list of agency appropriations, authorized the chairman to sign required budget certificates and adopted a jury-fees resolution finalized during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 09082025 — Approve levying property taxes exceeding the county revenue-neutral rate (county). Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - County 2026 budget adoption — Accept proposed 2026 Geary County budget as presented (budget authority $48,000,009.98). Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 09082025-1 — Approve levying property taxes exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for Fire District No. 1. Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Fire District No. 1 2026 budget adoption — Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Dorothy Bramlidge Public Library 2026 budget adoption — Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Water District No. 2 2026 budget adoption — Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Sewer District No. 4 2026 budget adoption — Roll call: Keith Asher — Yes; Kathy Tremont — Yes; Trish Giordano — Yes. Outcome: Approved. - Approval of agency appropriations list and signature on budget certificate (county and special districts) — Voice vote recorded as affirmative; commissioners directed staff to prepare documents for signature. Outcome: Approved. - Jury‑fees resolution (identified in minutes as 982025-2) — Motion carried by vote taken at the meeting.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the county presented a balanced budget (revenues equal appropriations) and that having budget authority does not mean the county intends to spend every dollar. Staff noted the budget process began in the spring and involved department-by-department review, voluntary cuts in some departments and transfers of some community appropriations to other funding sources (for example, transient guest tax or economic-development transfers). Commissioners said public safety and roads remain high priorities and that the capital improvement plan for fire services is intended to spread cost pressure over multiple years.

The commission closed the hearings after voting and directed staff to finalize the budget certificate and related appropriation forms so they could be signed. Several residents at the hearing encouraged clearer, front-page website notices and in‑person budget displays to help taxpayers understand where money is spent.

Ending: The commission concluded the budget and RNR proceedings and adjourned; staff will circulate final signed budget certificates and appropriation documents as required by statute and by the county’s administrative procedures.