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Geary County finance director reports $39.6M cash, explains mill-levy impact
Summary
Finance director Lisonbee presented the April cash and budget reports, showing $39.6 million in cash and using an illustrative chart to explain how keeping the mill rate flat would have increased the county's levied tax dollars by millions as valuations rose.
Lisonbee, Geary County finance director, told commissioners on Tuesday that the county's total cash balance for April was $39,619,793.37 and walked through expenditure and revenue reports for the month.
The presentation included an illustrative chart showing what would have happened if Geary County had kept its mill rate at the 2022 level (70.416 mills). Lisonbee said the chart demonstrates that, when assessed valuations rise, keeping the mill rate unchanged increases the county's levy dollars and thus the total taxes collected. She showed that the county would have levied roughly $19.2 million in 2023 under a flat mill rate versus the roughly $16.4 million actually levied in 2023, saying that difference represented about $3 million "saved by not keeping our mill rate flat." Lisonbee made similar comparisons for 2024 and 2025.
Lisonbee also reviewed expenditure pacing: the county is about 33.33% through the fiscal year as of April; several departments show expenditures above that mark because of timing. She noted transfers and one-time payments that affected fund percentages, including a $1,250,000 transfer composed of $1,000,000 to CIP and $250,000 to the facility fund intended to replenish maintenance expenses tied to the jail. She flagged that some departments' higher percentages reflect timing (for example, GIS pictometry fees paid at the start of the year and appraiser mailing costs).
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about postage and reissued tax statements; Lisonbee said postage costs for redoing tax statements were paid from the general services budget and that some individual taxpayers had not yet received bills. Commissioners and staff discussed public communication: several said the mill-rate illustration is useful but may be confusing unless someone explains it, and Lisonbee offered to present the chart in public forums and to meet individually with citizens who want an explanation.
The finance report was informational; no formal motion was recorded. Lisonbee said she will share the chart with anyone who requests a walk-through and will use it in upcoming public outreach on the budget.
