Osage County commissioners set intent to exceed revenue-neutral rate at 51 mills, schedule Sept. 8 hearing

The Osage County Commission voted July 14 to publish notice of its intent to exceed the state revenue-neutral rate, setting a proposed top-end mill levy of 51 mills and scheduling a public hearing for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the courthouse.

The vote followed a presentation by county finance staff, who said preliminary 2027 budget work shows lower-than-expected year-end cash and a multiyear drawdown of reserves. County financial analyst Sean Gordon and budget staff warned that restoring a prudent cash balance would require either higher collections, department spending cuts, or a combination of both. In the meeting, staff described scenarios that ranged from keeping the current levy (which would rely more on reserves) to a worst-case proposal of as high as 55 mills. The commission chose 51 mills as a top-end figure to trigger further department planning and public notice.

A commissioner who moved the intent resolution said the 51-mill figure gives the county a realistic top end from which to “work backwards” by asking departments to find reductions. Commissioners discussed how each added mill reduces the cuts required, and staff explained that, roughly, one mill equates to about $225,000 in revenue for the county.

The commission also set a schedule for budget review: departments were asked to present detailed proposals by July 28 so commissioners can hold work sessions in August, with the formal revenue-neutral hearing on Sept. 8. The clerk will publish the statutorily required notice before the July 20 deadline.

The action is procedural notice of intent: the commission must hold the public hearing before a final levy is adopted, and commissioners said they expect follow-up sessions in which department heads will be asked to trim requests — some commissioners suggested a target of roughly 10% reductions from initial department requests as one scenario to reduce pressure on taxpayers.

Commissioners emphasized the balance between restoring reserves and avoiding unduly large near-term tax increases. "We can always work backwards from whatever number we set as the top end," one commissioner said during the discussion.

Next steps: staff will finalize and publish the notice of intent; departments will be scheduled to present budget details for work sessions in late July and August; the public hearing on the revenue-neutral rate is set for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Osage County Courthouse, 717 Topeka Avenue.