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Clerk warns counties will likely absorb revenue‑neutral mailing costs; commissioners direct county to budget for 2027
Summary
Ellis County Clerk Bobby Darling told commissioners the state will stop reimbursing counties for revenue‑neutral‑rate mailings after 2026 (citing KSA 79‑2988), and commissioners directed the clerk to budget the mailing cost for 2027 while pursuing reimbursement if the state later funds it.
Ellis County Clerk Bobby Darling told the commission May 12 that the state’s reimbursement for revenue‑neutral‑rate (RNR) mailings ends after 2026 and asked how the county should budget for 2027. Darling cited KSA 79‑2988 as the statute that allows the clerk to seek reimbursement from taxing entities and presented a worksheet showing prior costs and potential entity shares.
"This year, the postage is supposed to go up to, like, 82¢," Darling said while outlining rising mail costs and a sample worksheet. He said last year’s RNR mailing cost for the county was about $7,400 and that the final share depends on which taxing entities exceed the revenue‑neutral threshold.
Commissioners discussed fairness to taxpayers if the county bills other taxing entities for their share and noted that the cost ultimately comes from residents’ tax payments whether paid by the county or apportioned across taxing jurisdictions. Commissioner Nathan Leiker and others recommended the clerk include the expected mailing cost in the county’s 2027 budget and pursue reimbursements or retroactive collections only if the state later provides funds or the clerk successfully claims costs from other taxing entities.
Clerk Darling said he will budget for the expense and continue coordinating with taxing entities and county staff on the proportionate charge and any possible prepayment or reimbursement steps.
