Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing a statement of intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate and setting a public hearing on the matter, along with the city's 2027 budget hearing, for the afternoon of September 8th at 4:30 at City Hall.
According to the resolution, the Atchison County Clerk calculated the revenue neutral rate at 43.709 mills for 2027, the rate that would generate the same tax revenue as the 46.359 mills levied in 2026. The city's proposed mill levy cap for 2027 is 45.168 mills. City documents show the difference between the two rates equates to an increase in revenue of $152,258 across the General Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Library Fund.
City Manager Mark Westhoff's report to commissioners notes the statement of intent only sets a cap, meaning the city could ultimately levy fewer mills than proposed, but not more, before the budget is formally adopted in September.
The vote came after commissioners heard from members of the public during the meeting's public forum, several of whom raised concerns about rising property taxes.
"I believe in cutting taxes as much as possible and trying to limit as much spending as possible," resident Brian Ramirez told the Commission as he posed questions related to the budgeting process.
A second resident told commissioners the increases are becoming unsustainable for older residents on fixed incomes.
"It's getting to a point that it seems like a lot of us elderly folks, if you will, are just kinda getting priced out of the city," Max Berry said. "What recourse do any of us have when it gets to a point where it's like, I don't have any more water to give. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Just wait until the letter comes that your property is being sold on the steps?"
Mayor La Rochelle Young responded directly to the concerns.
"We certainly understand what you're saying. I don't want you to think that we're just arbitrarily deciding budgets. That's not what we do," Young said. "And I appreciate what you're saying because it is a concern, and we do understand that, and I think when you see our budget, you'll see where we did decrease. We decided not to pursue positions or fill positions because we know that everyone is hurting at this point, and so we're trying to do the very best, the very responsible thing that we can. But I do really appreciate your being honest with us."
The public hearing on the proposed tax rate and the 2027 budget is set for 4:30 on the afternoon of September 8th in the Commission Room at City Hall, 515 Kansas Avenue, in Atchison.
