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Osage County adopts fiscal sustainability plan for Sewer District No. 1
Summary
The Osage County commission approved a fiscal sustainability plan for Sewer District No. 1, keeping current compliance filings in place while staff gathers updated cost estimates and prepares budget figures ahead of a revenue-neutral hearing in September.
Osage County commissioners voted to adopt a fiscal sustainability plan for Osage County Sewer District No. 1 during their July 21 meeting, approving the plan as presented with staff to file updated numbers later.
District and county staff flagged that some cost estimates in Appendix A dated to 2014 and needed updating after recent pump replacements. Ryan, a county staffer, said the form on file was the document “we have to go off of as where we sit right now … to stay in compliance,” and Ben Kramer (district) and Josh Nye joined commissioners by phone to discuss replacement costs and project phases. County staff noted prior infrastructure spending drove higher ad valorem collections in 2025–26 and emphasized the need to calibrate the 2027 budget authority and mill rate before the revenue-neutral hearing.
Commissioners discussed maintaining the revenue-neutral rate for now and instructed staff to assemble current cost and fund-balance information so the commission can set an appropriate levy. Chair moved to approve the plan “as presented”; Heather seconded. The chair called the vote and the motion carried. Staff said they will submit the updated plan and figures to KDHE and prepare the budget notice and hearing materials in advance of the Sept. 8 revenue-neutral hearing.
Why it matters: Adopting the sustainability plan keeps the sewer district in compliance with state program requirements while county and district staff update the spending projections that will determine whether ad valorem support or other revenues are needed for 2027 debt service and rehabilitation funds. The decision preserves flexibility to lower a future levy if recent infrastructure work reduces future obligations.
What’s next: County staff will compile current account balances and updated replacement-cost estimates, meet with the district and prepare the notice of hearing and budget package for the Sept. 8 revenue-neutral hearing. The commission’s formal motion and adoption were recorded in the meeting minutes.
