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Sedgwick County adopts $563.4M 2025 budget, approves property tax levy above revenue-neutral rate after public comment
Summary
Following hours of public testimony on taxes, senior centers, the PBS Kansas broadcast and jail medical costs, the commission approved a $563,444,425 operating budget and a property tax levy of $199,561,417 (approx. 28.659 mills), exceeding the revenue-neutral rate.
After an extended public hearing and multiple amendments, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the county's recommended 2025 operating budget at $563,444,425 and approved a property tax levy of $199,561,417 (about 28.659 mills), which exceeds the state-defined revenue-neutral rate.
Tom Stultz, the county manager, summarized the budget and recommended the hearing remain open while the Fire District proceeded with its separate budget action. Numerous residents and organizational representatives weighed in during the hearing: Victor Hockstrom of KPTS (PBS Kansas) urged the commission not to end the county's broadcast partnership, citing viewership and civic transparency; Celeste Rossett and other residents pressed on rising property taxes and suggested alternate approaches including Medicaid expansion to reduce jail medical costs; senior-center leaders asked for added funding for centers serving fixed-income residents.
Commissioners debated the tradeoffs of the revenue-neutral rule, the need to preserve public safety and court functions, and the limits on using opioid-settlement money for general purposes. After amendments that included limited senior-center increases and procedural directions, the board voted 4-1 on the budget motion to adopt the operating and CIP budgets and to approve levying a tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate.
