Coffee County, Fire District approve 2026 budgets; commissioners adopt resolutions to exceed revenue-neutral rates

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to approve the 2026 budgets and passed two resolutions allowing property-tax levies that exceed the revenue-neutral rate.

At a series of morning hearings for Coffey County Fire District No. 1 and for Coffee County, commissioners first approved Resolution No. 876c to levy a property-tax rate for the fire district that exceeds the revenue-neutral rate; the motion was moved by Commissioner Steve McCurry and seconded by Commissioner Thompson and carried by voice vote. The board then approved the fire districtbudget for fiscal year 2026 as published; that motion was moved by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Abendroth and carried.

Later in the meeting the commission approved Resolution No. 875c, a resolution for the County of Coffee, Kansas, to levy a property-tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate; that motion was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson and carried. The board then held a public budget hearing and approved the countybudget for 2026 as published. The motions to adopt the county budget were moved by McCurry and seconded by Abendroth and carried.

Why it matters: The revenue-neutral-rate process is the state-mandated hearing that gives taxpayers notice and a chance to comment when proposed levies would collect more property-tax revenue than the previous year after valuation changes. Adopting budgets and levies that exceed the revenue-neutral rate means more tax revenue will be collected than under a strictly neutral levy.

Public comment: Multiple residents addressed the commissioners during the hearings. Deborah Stuckey of 1020 Arrowhead Drive spoke in support of the volunteer fire department and asked for a brief explanation of the proposed increase, saying she appreciate[s] our volunteer fire department so much and asked for details on what the increase is needed for. William D. Jackson Jr., a local resident, criticized rising taxes and urged the county to pursue long-term economic development and power generation to stabilize revenue. Jim Weeks said his property valuation rose significantly and warned higher taxes could force people on fixed incomes from their homes. Another resident, citing the proposed county figures, said the countyportion of their taxes had increased by about 32 percent over two years.

Board response and context: Commissioners repeatedly told speakers that the board had worked to trim the proposed budget, that much of the countyincrease reflected employee-benefit costs (notably hospital employee benefits), and that some expenditures are constrained by prior commitments. The board noted there will be follow-up budget hearings; one resident asked how to get a printed copy of the county budget, and staff indicated follow-up material and another hearing were scheduled.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 876c (Coffey County Fire District No. 1): Motion to levy property-tax rate exceeding revenue-neutral rate — mover: Commissioner McCurry; second: Commissioner Thompson; outcome: approved (voice vote). - 2026 Coffey County Fire District No. 1 budget: Motion to approve as published — mover: Commissioner Peterson; second: Commissioner Abendroth; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Resolution No. 875c (County of Coffee, Kansas): Motion to levy property-tax rate exceeding revenue-neutral rate — mover: Commissioner Thompson; second: Commissioner Peterson; outcome: approved (voice vote). - 2026 Coffee County budget (countywide): Motion to approve as published — mover: Commissioner McCurry; second: Commissioner Abendroth; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Next steps: Commissioners closed the hearings and the new budgets and levy resolutions take effect under state procedures; additional budget hearings and publication steps were discussed for related matters.