As part of the City’s annual budget process, the City of Garnett is proposing a property tax levy that exceeds the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) established by the State of Kansas.
The Revenue Neutral Rate is the property tax rate that would generate approximately the same amount of property tax revenue from existing properties as the previous year. It is not a spending limit, but a benchmark designed to provide taxpayers with greater transparency whenever a local government proposes collecting more property tax revenue than the previous year from existing property.
Like communities across Kansas, Garnett continues to experience rising costs that affect the City’s ability to provide the essential services residents expect. Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate will help the City continue to:
- Maintain high-quality police, fire, and emergency services.
- Offset increased costs for fuel, utilities, insurance, equipment, and other operating expenses caused by inflation.
- Repair and improve streets, parks, water, wastewater, and other critical infrastructure.
- Replace aging equipment and maintain City facilities to ensure dependable public services.
- Meet state and federal regulatory requirements while preserving the City’s long-term financial stability.
Without additional revenue, the City would be forced to reduce services, delay infrastructure improvements, postpone equipment replacement, or defer necessary maintenance that directly impacts our community.
The City Commission remains committed to responsible financial management and carefully reviews every expenditure to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. The decision to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate was made only after considering the City’s current needs, future obligations, and the importance of maintaining the quality of life our residents expect.
Kansas law requires the City to hold a public hearing before adopting a budget that exceeds the Revenue Neutral Rate. The Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. We encourage all residents to attend, ask questions, and participate in the budget process.
Public Hearing: https://aptg.co/sCZ0QY
RNR Public Hearing: https://aptg.co/15CMsh
