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Commission OKs intent to exceed revenue-neutral levy for county and special road fund; both measures pass
Summary
The Leavenworth County Commission voted to approve two resolutions signaling intent to levy property tax rates that exceed the revenue-neutral rate for tax year 2025: one for general county funds and one for the local service (road) fund. Both measures passed on roll call.
The Leavenworth County Commission on an initial vote approved two resolutions indicating the county's intent to levy property tax rates that exceed the revenue-neutral rate for tax year 2025.
The resolutions — numbered in the packet as Resolution 2025-22 (general county funds) and Resolution 2025-23 (Leavenworth County local service/road fund) — were presented to the commission with staff explaining that state statute requires the commission to indicate whether it intends to exceed the revenue-neutral levy. Staff said adoption at this meeting sets the maximum mill levy; the commission may lower it later but may not exceed it after the notice is filed.
Commission discussion focused on timing and the ability to revisit the levy while finalizing department budgets. One commissioner said the vote was to “lock in where our max will be,” and another commissioner said they would support the resolution while still pressing for specific budget reductions later in the cycle, listing potential cuts totaling about $741,000.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-22 (intent to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for countywide general funds): Approved on roll call, tally reported as 4–1. - Resolution 2025-23 (intent to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for the county’s local service/road fund): Approved on roll call (tally recorded as unanimous in the meeting record on that item).
What it means Adopting an intent-to-exceed resolution is a procedural step required under state statute to notify taxpayers and the state that the county is considering a mill levy above the revenue-neutral rate. The commission’s staff told commissioners the actual budget and final mill levy will be finalized later (budget approval occurs in August), and the commission can reduce but not increase the levy above the amount indicated by these resolutions.
Next steps Commissioners said they expect further budget deliberations in coming weeks and reiterated that final mill levy decisions will follow the department budget reviews and the August budget adoption process.
