Sedan council rejects measure to exceed revenue neutral rate, adopts 2026 budget to maintain it

The Sedan City Council on Sept. 16 voted against a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate and, shortly after, approved a 2026 budget adjusted to maintain the revenue neutral rate.

Mayor Bryan Blankinship opened a revenue neutral rate hearing at 5:30 p.m.; no members of the public spoke. Councilmember Kathy Miller moved to exceed the revenue neutral rate and adopt Resolution #25-03, and Councilmember Angela Evans seconded. The council recorded a roll call in which the four members present voted against the motion; Councilmember Pam Koerner was absent. The motion and Resolution #25-03 did not pass.

Minutes later, during a public budget hearing, Councilmember Adam Clark moved to approve the 2026 budget "with adjustments to maintain the RNR," and Kathy Miller seconded. Council members voted to approve that motion and the budget. Mayor Blankinship closed the budget hearing at 5:33 p.m.

Why it matters: the revenue neutral rate (RNR) is the benchmark used to show whether a proposed property tax levy will generate more revenue than the previous year after appraisal changes. By voting down the measure to exceed the RNR and approving a budget that maintains it, the council kept the city's property tax revenue level effectively steady for 2026.

Other routine business: the council approved the meeting agenda and the Sept. 2 minutes, and approved payment of bills totaling $158,991.01 after a motion by Angela Evans and a second from Adam Clark. The council also approved a sewer reduction form for account #1481-11063 and appointed Kathy Miller as the voting delegate to the Kansas League of Municipalities conference (Oct. 9–11, 2025).

What's next: The council concluded the meeting at 5:50 p.m. There was no indication in the minutes of follow-up hearings scheduled on the RNR or budget; any additional procedural steps would appear in future meeting agendas and minutes.