Ottawa County approves exceeding revenue-neutral rate, sets 2026 ad valorem levy

The Ottawa County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 Sept. 15 to exceed the countyrevenue neutral rate for budget year 2026 and to approve related budget adjustments affecting the countyad valorem levy. Commissioner Carla Grund moved and Commissioner Duane Morris seconded the motion "To exceed the revenue neutral rate of 79.452 mills for budget year 2026 and approve Resolution 25-15," which passed by roll call.

During a public hearing, residents and staff raised valuation and tax-policy concerns. Steve Clanton said agricultural land values were falling while housing values were rising and asked the board to "stay below the inflation rate." County Appraiser Truette McQueen cautioned the commission on legal limits for valuation: "it is up to legislators, but the law in Kansas is based on fair market value and that is what we must abide by." Commissioner Grund told the board that keeping the mill levy flat still left the county collecting about $436,000 more than last year and proposed reducing the cash reserve in the employee benefits fund by $262,000 to return part of the valuation gains to taxpayers. The Commission later approved a motion to reduce that reserve and set the county ad valorem tax levy for 2026 at $8,884,511.

The boards votes are intended to reflect increased assessed valuations while balancing reserve levels and service needs; officials did not identify any specific cuts tied to the reserve reduction. The motions and the accompanying resolutions were approved unanimously.