BARTON COUNTY, Kan. – Barton County continues its commitment to fiscal responsibility with the adoption of the 2027 Operating Budget, which reduces both the County mill levy and the total amount of County ad valorem property tax dollars levied.
During this week’s budget hearing, County Administrator Matt Patzner presented the 2027 Operating Budget, describing it as the County’s organizational blueprint for maintaining quality public services at an affordable cost to taxpayers.
The budget was developed with several goals in mind, including remaining revenue neutral, maintaining sustainable public services, investing in County employees, expanding the local tax base, and continuing to support quality of life for Barton County residents.
The 2027 budget includes a County mill levy of 33.434, a reduction from the 2026 mill levy of 33.921. The budget also comes in below Barton County’s revenue neutral rate and reduces the total amount of County ad valorem property tax dollars levied by $18,833 compared to the previous year.
Since 2021, Barton County’s mill levy has been reduced by 12.884 mills, while the total amount of property tax dollars levied by the County has decreased by $303,305.
Patzner noted that this year’s budget required careful planning as the County worked to balance rising costs, service needs, staffing priorities, and long-term sustainability. Organizational restructuring, service delivery modernization, and strategic use of resources all helped support the final budget.
Even with those changes, the budget continues to invest in Barton County’s workforce through a countywide compensation increase, along with a targeted salary adjustment in the County Attorney’s Office to assist with recruitment and retention in a competitive professional field.
Commissioners recognized the difficulty of the budget process and praised the work that went into maintaining quality services while continuing to reduce County property tax dollars.
“This is six consecutive years of reduced property tax dollars brought in by the County,” Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson said, noting that continuing to provide services during a period of significant inflation “doesn’t just happen all on its own.”
Commissioners also thanked Patzner, elected officials, department heads, supported agencies, County staff, and the Administrator’s Office for their work throughout the budget process.
The 2027 Operating Budget reflects Barton County’s continued focus on careful planning, responsible stewardship, and maintaining strong public services while reducing the County’s property tax burden.
