Sedgwick County commissioner warns 9.3% median valuation rise could lead to higher local property tax bills

Commissioner Ryan Batty of Sedgwick County told District 4 residents in a written newsletter that residential assessed values across the county rose a median 9.3% and urged local taxing authorities not to automatically translate that growth into higher property-tax revenue.

"There is no reason why a taxing jurisdiction needs to take all of the projected 9.3 assessed property value growth," Batty said, arguing that elected boards should justify any revenue increases rather than simply keeping mill levies flat and capturing the full increase in assessed value.

Batty, who identified himself as the District 4 commissioner, explained that the county commission hires and funds the county appraiser but does not direct the appraisal methodology. "The county appraiser doesn't set tax rates. The county appraiser doesn't build budgets," he said, noting that the Kansas Department of Revenue27s Property Valuation Division provides the valuation direction the appraiser follows.

He announced that Sedgwick County hired a new county appraiser in January, Deanna Aspen, and said Aspen and her team have pledged to work with the commission to address concerns from residents and commissioners.

Batty summarized market data that shaped this year's valuations, saying residential sales transactions declined year-over-year while the median sales price rose from $247,500 to $264,100. He added that the share of residential sales closing above county valuation was about 91% in 2024 and about 84% in 2025. (The newsletter transcript contained garbled raw transaction counts for some line items; the reported percentages and median prices are presented as Batty stated them.)

Batty framed the rise in valuations in context: a hot market from 2020 through 2023, driven by low interest rates and high demand, pushed prices and valuations up; by 2025 the market had cooled but prices remained relatively high.

He said his principal concern is the effect on working-class families and people on fixed incomes who may face higher property-tax bills, larger mortgage escrow payments or rent increases passed on by landlords.

Batty urged other local taxing jurisdictions to consider reducing mill levies or otherwise explaining why they need additional revenue rather than using the full available assessed-value growth. He noted Sedgwick County itself accounts for roughly 20% of a typical property-tax bill.

The newsletter closes by inviting constituents to contact Batty27s office with questions or feedback about valuation notices.