Reno County sets maximum mill levy, schedules budget hearing and unveils tax-breakdown tool

Reno County commissioners on July 8 set a maximum mill levy under the state's revenue-neutral process, approved maximum levies for the county's special districts, scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 9 and directed staff to continue work on an online tax-breakdown calculator intended to provide residents a detailed view of how tax dollars are allocated.

County staff recommended setting the maximum now to meet the state deadline and preserve options while the commission refines the budget. The commission approved a notice of revenue-neutral rate intent with a maximum county mill levy of 40.22 mills, which staff said would amount to $32,874,265 in levy dollars. County staff estimated the increase equates to about $27.83 annually for every $100,000 in residential assessed value compared with last year's figures.

Commissioners discussed the limits the revenue-neutral process places on local budgets. "It's my opinion that our state legislatures had no clue what they were doing when they passed RNR," Commissioner Hurst said, adding the law forces local governments to set maximums before final valuations are known. County staff said the maximum is procedural: it preserves dollar amounts and prevents the need for a special meeting to meet the state timeline.

The motion to set the county maximum mill levy passed with a 4-1 roll-call vote; one commissioner recorded a "no" vote. Commissioners then approved a separate notice of intent specifying maximum mill levies (dollar amounts) for county special districts, noting those districts are at repair-and-replacement rates and that the notices protect the dollar amounts pending final valuation. That motion passed unanimously.

The commission also set a public hearing on the county and special-district budgets for Sept. 9, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Reno County Veterans Room, the last required meeting before the state's statutory deadline to finalize adoption.

During staff reports, County Administrator Randy Partington demonstrated an in-development online property tax breakdown tool that will let residents enter an address or click a map to see assessed value, combined mill-levy components, special assessments (for example, landfill fees), and an estimated annual tax. Staff said the tool is intended to increase transparency during budget season and will be announced publicly once it is ready.

Votes at a glance: notice of revenue-neutral rate intent (county) ' Approved 4-1; special districts notice ' Approved unanimous; budget hearing date (Sept. 9, 2026) ' Approved unanimous; county canvass date (Aug. 12) ' Approved unanimous.

What happens next: Staff will prepare materials and department-level options for cuts and present them at upcoming August meetings; the public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.