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Ellis County clerk to budget state-mandated revenue-neutral mailing after reimbursements end
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); commissioners directed the clerk to budget the mailing cost for 2027 and consider retroactive reimbursement if the state restores funds.
Ellis County Clerk Bobby Darling told the commission on May 12 that 2026 will be the last year the state reimburses counties for revenue-neutral-rate (RNR) mailings and asked whether the county should budget the mailing cost for 2027 or attempt to proportionally bill taxing entities.
“Per KSA 79-2988...that does allow for the county clerk to seek reimbursement from the taxing entities that do post a notice on the revenue neutral rate mailing,” Darling said while outlining options and sample costs from prior years. Commissioners discussed fairness and practicalities; several said the cost comes from the same tax “pot” and recommended the clerk include the expected cost in the county budget for now and pursue reimbursement retroactively if the state restores funding or provides retroactive payments.
Commissioners noted postage and other costs are rising and that the clerk’s worksheet is fluid because assessments depend on which entities exceed the revenue-neutral rate. The board did not adopt a new policy at the meeting but gave direction to budget the expense for 2027 and continue outreach to taxing entities and legislative contacts.
