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County appraiser trims budget after adopting oblique aerial photography; staffing shift credited
Summary
Leavenworth County appraiser reported a roughly 6% decrease in the 2026 office budget tied to contracting for oblique aerial photography and a reclassification of a supervisory position; the office said that obliques and orthorectified outputs will reduce reliance on prior arrangements.
The Leavenworth County appraiser presented the office—s proposed 2026 budget and said the total request is $922,950, down about 6% from the 2025 budget. The presenter (identified as Appraiser Bob) said savings derive from contracting for oblique aerial photography and from a staffing reclassification after a long-term employee retired.
The appraiser said the office contracted for oblique imagery that produces oblique and orthorectified outputs, enabling the office to reduce some prior contracts and eliminate a higher-level supervisory vacancy by hiring at a lower classification. The office noted a prior cooperative arrangement with the county—s mapping partner had provided ortho imagery more cheaply in the past; the presenter said the county may still participate in the partner—s future flights, but the new contract allows the appraiser—s office to accomplish appraisal functions (measurements, footprints, structure heights) without as much external dependency.
Why it matters: Accurate aerial imagery is central to mass appraisal and property valuation; moving to a newer imagery contract can reduce recurring external costs and enable staff reallocation.
