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County selects vendor for R&R mailings and narrows survey language on sales-tax to offset property tax
Summary
The county clerk recommended Masters Touch for printing and mailing the 2026 R&R (revenue and resource) survey and mailings; commissioners approved the vendor and agreed on survey wording that asks whether a sales tax should be used to offset property taxes, with a plan to finalize informational copy and layout next week.
The Atchison County commission approved the county clerk's recommendation to contract Masters Touch for the 2026 R&R mail printing and mailing and discussed the countywide survey language and informational insert.
County clerk presented comparative quotes for printing and mailing, explained postage had increased July 13 (noting a per-piece postage rate discussed in the meeting of about $0.545), and said Masters Touch offered a cost-saving software that optimizes envelope sizes. The clerk asked the commission to authorize onboarding quickly to secure a lower onboarding fee; the board approved the recommendation by motion and voice vote.
The commission also reviewed the proposed survey questions and requested a minor wording change: question 5 will ask whether residents "would support a sales tax to offset property taxes" (language chosen to clarify intent). Commissioners discussed the policy consequences of a sales tax intended to offset property taxes — including timing for placing a question on a ballot and the need to ensure any sales-tax revenues adopted would be used to reduce or stabilize property-tax burdens as promised.
Why it matters: the R&R mailing reaches all county households and the chosen vendor and question wording shape how many residents respond and how clearly they understand the proposal under consideration.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to finalize the informational insert and the survey layout for review next week; the clerk will onboard Masters Touch to meet printing and mailing schedules.
