Osage County sets preliminary top-end mill levy, schedules Sept. 8 hearing

Osage County commissioners on July 14 voted to declare their intent to exceed the state-calculated revenue-neutral rate and set a proposed top-end mill levy of 51 mills, directing staff to publish the required notice and schedule a public hearing on Sept. 8, 2026, at the county courthouse.

County finance staff presented a preliminary 2027 budget that projects a need to rebuild cash reserves and showed that leaving the levy at last year's level would rely on drawing down reserves. Commissioners debated tradeoffs between raising collections and asking departments to cut spending, with staff noting each mill would yield roughly $225,000 in additional revenue.

After discussing alternatives (including a worst-case example raised during the meeting of a 55-mill top-end figure), the commission ultimately voted in favor of the 51-mill intent so that public notice could proceed and further work sessions could focus department presentations and possible cuts. Commissioners asked staff to schedule department budget presentations through late July and August so the board can refine numbers before the hearing.

The board also approved the formal printed notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, which will be delivered to the county clerk and published as required under state law. The hearing is set for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Osage County Courthouse; commissioners said the evening start time is intended to improve public access to the budget discussion.

Next steps: county staff will provide more detailed fund-balance reports and department-by-department proposals, and the commission expects to hold one or more work sessions in August to seek the cuts or rephasing needed to limit how much the levy ultimately increases.