Commissioners preserve $500,000 property-tax relief in 2027 budget and schedule broader review

Johnson County commissioners confirmed $500,000 in one‑time funding in the 2027 budget to continue the county property‑tax relief program and scheduled further discussion this budget cycle about eligibility, timing and whether to make the program permanent.

Interim Treasurer Greg Baldwin summarized the program’s recent growth: 207 eligible applicants received aid in 2024; removing a $200 refund cap in 2025 expanded applicants to 359 and increased payments; and an eligibility expansion in 2026 (raising the home-value cap to $500,000 and removing age/disability limits) produced 687 eligible applicants slated to receive roughly $43,721 each in relief in a forthcoming disbursement. Baldwin recommended maintaining eligibility targeted to very‑low‑income households and continuing the program in 2027 with $500,000 in one‑time funding.

"These results demonstrate the growing need for this program and why sustained funding in 2027 is so important," Baldwin said.

Commissioners welcomed the continuation but expressed differing views on whether the funding should be ongoing and whether the application window should be changed to better help residents ahead of the county’s May or December tax deadlines. Commissioner Hansick asked staff to revisit options for expanding outreach and adjusting the application period so more residents — particularly seniors on fixed incomes — can access relief. Commissioner Myers and others urged caution about expanding program scope without a long‑term funding source and recommended a fuller policy review in the fall budget cycle.

The board placed several program design questions on the revisit list for follow-up before finalizing assumptions for later budget years. Staff said the 2027 allocation will be covered with one‑time savings and that ongoing funding would require a separate directive or an identified recurring revenue source.