Finney County sets revenue-neutral rate ceiling after heated budget debate and public pleas to protect senior services

The Finney County Board of Commissioners voted on July 20 to notify the county clerk of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral property tax rate and scheduled related public hearings, after extended debate among commissioners and public commenters about the impacts on seniors and county services.

County staff presented the certification for publication and recommended a proposed mill rate of 49.678 (the clerk-calculated revenue-neutral rate was 47.02). Commissioners disagreed over whether to set a higher ceiling — which supporters said preserves flexibility while the budget process continues — or to hold the line to reassure taxpayers. After discussion the board approved the notice and hearing schedule; one commissioner registered opposition during the vote.

Public comment that morning underlined the potential local impacts. Pastor Nathan (Nathaniel) Heck, who also said he is chairman of the Finney County Committee on Aging, said state and federal cuts are already squeezing senior services and asked the county not to make further cuts: "Reducing the funding for the Finney County Committee on Aging would be harmful…to our senior citizens," he said, pointing to recent KDOT funding cuts of 17%.

Shelley Street, who identified herself as speaking for long-term seniors in the county, said retirees live on fixed incomes and that a permanent mill-levy increase could force difficult choices: "A higher property tax may not seem like much on paper, but for someone living on a fixed budget, another few $100 a year can mean cutting back on necessities." The comments were raised in the context of the commissioners’ discussion about possible budget cuts to maintain or lower the mill levy.

One public speaker, Zach Wharf, criticized commissioners’ responsiveness and demanded more transparency about data center negotiations, saying many constituents preferred anonymity when expressing concerns.

What the board decided: by motion the board authorized the county administrator to notify the clerk of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, schedule the revenue-neutral hearing and the budget hearing for Sept. 8, 2026, and publish the required budget summary. Commissioners and staff emphasized that publishing the notice sets a legal ceiling for the proposed budget, not an immediate tax increase, and that the final mill levy will be decided after the public hearing process and budget work sessions.