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Leavenworth County kicks off budget process, asks commissioners to set target; flat mill levy equates to about 2.5–3%
Summary
County commissioners heard a budget kickoff briefing that outlined timeline, cash carryover, and a recommended baseline tied to a flat mill levy (about 2.5–3%). Officials warned of tight budgets, a recent $1 million transfer to employee benefits, and multiple meetings through August to finalize the FY budget.
Leavenworth County commissioners formally began the annual budget process at a meeting where staff said work will continue through August and asked commissioners to give a target for department budget submissions.
The kickoff matters because staff said last year—nded with tighter-than-usual spending and an unforeseen transfer of about $1 million into employee benefit funds to cover a roughly 20% spike in health insurance costs. County leaders said that history informs this year nd that a flat mill levy typically translates to department spending targets of roughly 2.5% to 3%.
Chairman, Leavenworth County Commission, summarized the start: "Each year, we kinda start out in the budget process with this meeting where we kinda go go over a few things. And then also just to kind of formally, you know, we work on the budget at a staff level year round." He told commissioners the process begins now and will conclude in August, with multiple department and outside-agency meetings scheduled between now and the adoption date.
Staff asked commissioners to pick a budget goal in the coming weeks so departments can prepare. "Where do you wanna see us come in?" a county staff member told the commission, seeking direction on whether departments should plan for flat spending or for 2.5% or 3% increases.
Officials emphasized that a "flat mill levy" baseline commonly used by the county aligns with about a 2.5% to 3% budget target because property valuation and other revenue streams do not rise uniformly. County staff warned commissioners that, while property valuations rose this year, those gains translate into a smaller percentage of total revenue because other revenue streams are flat or declining.
The commission was also told that the county budget is in the roughly $60 million to $70 million range, depending on sales-tax-funded projects that fluctuate year to year. Staff noted sales tax is dedicated to capital projects (roads and bridges) and not to operating expenditures.
Commissioners were asked to compile specific goals for departments (for example, staffing or program initiatives) and to return a decision at an upcoming regular meeting so staff can finalize budget modeling and department instructions.
Less critical items discussed at the session included procedural reminders about public notices and the sequence of hearings that precede the final adoption in August.
