Geary County adopts 2-year transient guest tax charter resolution, collections to start Jan. 1, 2026

The Geary County Board of County Commissioners on July 7 adopted a charter resolution to add an additional 1 percentage point to the county transient guest tax for a two-year period and to use interest on that fund for sports and recreation projects.

The resolution, as approved, places the additional 1% in the county's special sports escrow fund (the CVB-related fund as drafted) and permits the county to expend up to $100,000 per year, at the commission's discretion and after input from the county's community and visitor board (CVB), for renovation, expansion, maintenance or other improvements to existing sports and recreation facilities and programs. Commissioners set the start of collections for Jan. 1, 2026.

Commissioners discussed where any remaining balances should be sent if the temporary levy ceases; the final motion added language that remaining funds would be placed in the CVB general fund rather than the county general fund. Betsy (staff member) worked with commissioners on wording and confirmed the effective date language and the two-year sunset/renewal provision.

The resolution includes language that the additional 1% will be interest-bearing and that interest will be allocated monthly based on the fund's daily balance. Commissioners discussed using pooled interest rather than opening an additional checking account and confirmed that existing fund balances would be aggregated for interest allocation.

Commissioners moved, seconded and adopted the charter resolution in a recorded motion; the meeting transcript records the motion, a second and unanimous "aye" votes without individual named tallies.

The commission directed staff to prepare final documents for signature and to ensure the resolution text explicitly directs any remaining funds to the CVB general fund if the temporary levy is not renewed.

Why it matters: The additional 1% is intended to generate recurring interest revenue and some annual spending capacity for county sports and recreation projects while the temporary levy is in effect; the two-year window means the commission will review and choose whether to renew after seeing program outcomes.

What remains: Staff will finalize the charter resolution with the agreed language, and county finance staff will prepare the technical steps for starting collections Jan. 1, 2026. The commission also discussed timing for notice and publication to meet statutory timelines.