Atchison commission adopts 2025 budget, approves resolution to allow exceeding revenue-neutral rate

The Atchison City Commission on a unanimous vote adopted the city—s 2025 budget, approved a resolution authorizing the option to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and enacted an appropriation ordinance that gives staff authority to spend under the adopted plan.

The commission passed Resolution 3397, which the city attorney/staff described as a procedural step that preserves the option to adopt a levy above the state-calculated revenue-neutral level if the budget as presented is approved. City staff said the revenue-neutral calculation for 2025 is 44.248 mills and that the proposed levy in the paperwork was 47.157 mills, though staff emphasized the city—s overall mill levy has been reduced from prior years and the presented budget trims previously proposed spending.

During the public hearing residents urged the commission to minimize tax impacts. Brenda Grant, who identified herself as a resident of North Third Street, said she was concerned after attending a county meeting where many attendees were "irate" about tax increases. Anthony Wilburn told the commission his appraised value rose by $64,590 and that his tax bill increased by $528.42, asking rhetorically whether he should move out of Atchison. Mayor Mary Young and staff repeatedly explained that local governments control the mill levy but not county property valuations, which are set by the county appraiser and influenced by market values and state assessment rates.

Staff and commissioners framed the adopted budget as a compromise: finance staff described a 2.5% overall expense increase, noting departments worked to limit increases so the city can provide cost-of-living adjustments for employees while reducing other operational costs. Staff provided budget totals in the hearing: last year—s total budget for city services was given as $22,196,985; the current-year figures discussed ranged from $22,754,937 (planned expenditures cited during the hearing) to a comparison figure of $22,917,987 noted in staff remarks as another presentation of the year—s total—staff explained different totals reflect which funds and enterprise items are included. Commissioners said they had reduced the levy by 1.5 mills since the prior meeting and repeatedly thanked staff (including Clinton McNamee and finance director Reagan Falk) for efforts to constrain spending.

The commission also addressed several budget-related line items raised in public comment and by commissioners. Questions about a $175,000 CIP line for Riesener Park drew staff clarification that CIP funds are held in a dedicated fund that projects draw from and that specific projects still must return to the commission for approval before spending. Utility staff discussed compliance steps tied to the lead-and-copper rule and an inventory due to KDHE: options include a visual inventory, potholing service lines to confirm materials, homeowner sampling kits and, where required, providing filtration cartridges. Meter replacement and upgrade items were discussed: staff described a previously larger $1.5 million meter replacement concept and a lower-cost $375,000 plan focusing on swapping sensors for radio transmitters; staff said they have submitted a grant application to the state to offset those costs.

After public comment closed the commission moved, seconded and voted by roll call to adopt Resolution 3397 (all yes), adopt the 2025 budget and the 20252029 capital improvement plan/equipment reserve and wastewater CSO plan (roll-call unanimous yes), and adopt Ordinance 6710 appropriating amounts by fund for 2025 (roll-call unanimous yes). The mayor then adjourned the meeting to a Land Bank session.

The actions taken give city staff the authority to implement the adopted budget and begin project work that requires later individual approvals; multiple commissioners said they remain sensitive to residents— concerns about tax bills and will continue to look for ways to reduce costs or increase revenues.