Goodland sets hearing to exceed revenue‑neutral rate, proposes 50.923 mill levy for 2025

The Goodland City Commission voted to approve Resolution 16‑40, scheduling a hearing on the city’s decision to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate and placing a maximum proposed mill levy of 50.923 on the notice to the county clerk.

City Manager Kent told commissioners the packet included information about a proposed mill levy of 50.923 and said the revenue‑neutral rate is 49.374. Kent said staff compiled suggested reductions and had removed “almost a half million dollars” from the original proposed budget but noted that additional cuts would begin to harm the delivery of essential services. Kent also said the city is roughly $32,000 short of last year’s rate after the recommended changes.

Commission discussion weighed further budget cuts against modest mill‑levy increases and potential future utility‑rate adjustments to shore up revenues. One commissioner cautioned that repeated cuts could hurt services such as streets and utilities; another said raising the mill levy slightly may be preferable to deep program cuts.

Commissioner Showalter moved to approve Resolution 16‑40, which sets the required RNR notice and the maximum rate of 50.923 for publication; Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. Commissioners voted in favor on a roll call.

By approving the resolution, the commission authorized staff to send the RNR notice to the county clerk and to proceed with a public hearing on the proposed rate. Additional budget adjustments and any final adopted mill levy will be determined following that hearing.