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Atchison County officials warn rising property values and cuts mean higher bills; sales tax floated to fund EMS
Summary
A resident told commissioners his property tax nearly doubled since 2018; county leaders said 2026 is the first year property-tax revenue alone covers operations, cited elimination of 11 positions and said a sales tax is being considered to help fund EMS and limit future tax increases.
A resident told the Atchison County Commission on Jan. 6 that his annual property tax bill rose from $3,258 after he moved in 2018 to $5,979 in 2025, underscoring local frustration as officials confront tighter finances.
Chairwoman Casey Quinn and Commissioner James Campbell told the meeting that 2026 is the first budget year in which property-tax revenue alone covers county operations after prior years relied on one-time cash infusions. Quinn said the county has cut costs, including eliminating 11 positions, but faces growing demands for services — notably emergency medical services — that not all users can pay for. She said the commission is considering a sales tax as a potential revenue source to help fund EMS and ease the pace of property-tax increases.
Campbell urged patience, saying the board has started measures designed to slow further tax growth but that the effects may not be visible in the first year. The county's appraiser briefed the commission that assessed values are likely to rise another 6—6% in the coming year, which will affect next year's tax bills.
Resident Tyler Williams framed the conversation, saying rising bills risk pushing people out of Atchison County and urging clearer public messaging if a sales tax is proposed. Williams called for framing the sales tax as a way to limit increases rather than immediately lower property taxes.
No formal decision on a sales tax was taken at the meeting; the commission approved its agenda and routine consent items and scheduled further discussion as part of upcoming budget work and public outreach. The board also noted that some services are underfunded and that officials will continue to review revenue options and service levels.
The commission moved into two executive sessions during the meeting for personnel matters and later adjourned into a public workshop to continue departmental updates and organization discussion.
