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Riley County commissioners vote to exceed revenue-neutral rate, certify 2026 budget
Summary
After a public RNR hearing with taxpayer comments, commissioners approved Resolution 090425 to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for both the rural fire district and the county and voted to sign 2026 budget certificates totaling $108,975,918 (county) and $6,994,828 (special districts).
Riley County commissioners on Sept. 4 approved resolutions to exceed the statutorily calculated revenue-neutral rate and certified the county—s 2026 budget.
During a required revenue-neutral-rate (RNR) hearing — held first for the Riley County Rural Fire District No. 1 and then for the county — budget and finance officer Brittany Phillips opened the public comments period and explained the process for hearing objections and testimony. After public comment, a motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution 090425 to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the Rural Fire District and commissioners voted in favor. Later the board approved a county-level resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for tax year 2026.
Public speakers raised concerns about the timing and purpose of RNR hearings, the relationship between appraisal increases and tax bills, and burdens on fixed-income residents. Gary Olds, a local resident, told the commission the RNR hearing is about the mill rate, not the budget, and urged clearer public outreach. Barton Stevenson and John Ball said rising property tax bills were a hardship for retirees and urged the board to seek the RNR where possible.
Commissioners defended the steps they had already taken during the year—s budget process and cited rising insurance costs and the county—s large tax exemptions as drivers of the gap between expenditures and the RNR target. One commissioner noted that roughly half of the year-over-year increase could be tied to RCPD-related costs, a recurring point in the hearing.
After closing public comment, the commission moved to the budget certification. The board approved and signed the 2026 Riley County Budget Certificate in the amount of $108,975,918 and the Special District Fund Certificate totaling $6,994,828. Brittany Phillips said the approved budget will be filed with the county clerk and then submitted to the state to complete the 2026 budget cycle.
What happens next: the approved budget will be sent to the county clerk and then to the state as required by statute; commissioners noted the public can engage earlier in next year—s budget cycle when work sessions and departmental hearings are scheduled.
