By Lucky Kidd
LYONS, Kan. — A 2025 budget that trims the property tax levy by .28 of a mill but exceeds the Revenue Neutral Rate was approved by the Lyons City Council Monday following hearings on raising more revenue from property taxes for 2025 than was collected in 2024 and on the budget itself.
Earlier in the summer, the city notified the Rice County Clerk of its intent to levy as much as 60 mills for 2025 with the intent to be less than that, which the approved budget did. The projected levy of 51.949 mills is 2.623 mills above the Revenue Neutral Rate and will generate an additional $54,065 in property tax revenue for the city.
During the RNR hearing, only one citizen addressed the Council. Gary Dobbins of 521 S. Reed, questioned why the city is doing this. “I don’t like to waste money,” Dobbins explained, adding, “I’m one of those who is on a fixed income, so I’m looking at this as why.”
Dobbins also complained about recently having to pay additional sales tax on a vehicle he purchased in Reno County when he registered it in Rice County. This issue relates to a state law that bases vehicle sales taxes on the home county of the registered owner and not that of the dealership, and if the purchase county has a lower tax rate than the registration county the owner has to pay the difference. ‘
After the RNR hearing the Council adopted a resolution to exceed it, after which the hearing on the actual budget took place. Interim City Administrator Tanner Faust said there was a lot of hard work on the part of staff to develop this budget that accommodates a lot of rising costs including those for personnel and the items the city purchases for day to day operations.
Later in the meeting the Council discussed community involvement options for the City Administrator search. The council looked at a number of options for this suggested by Austin Peters Group, the firm the city hired to assist in the process. During that discussion a number of ideas came up, including involving employee representatives and perhaps Council members-elect after the November general election along with an opportunity for public input.
In the end, the council agreed to have 2-3 employees involved in candidate interviews, and decided to hold a “town hall” discussion to gain citizen input on what they would like to see in a new administrator. After discussing possible dates, the Council decided to hold this as part of the public comment period for their next meeting on Oct. 7. Residents also can submit written comments on what they would like to see, which need to be signed.
On a related topic, Mayor Dustin Schultz said he’s been informed by Beth Tatarko from Austin Peters there have already been 14 applications submitted for the administrator position, with additional applications expected prior to an Oct. 4 deadline. A report on those applicants will be provided to the Council prior to their Oct. 21 meeting, with expectation interviews will take place the week of Nov. 11.
On the only other item on the Council agenda, a lease agreement with the Kiwanis Club was approved for the Boy Scout Cabin located at Grand and Commercial. Kiwanis has used the building for many years, and this formalizes what has been in place for some time.
During Council, concerns were shared about streetlights burned out or not coming on right at dark, the latter possibly connected with timing of the lights which will be checked. Another comment was made about a flag displayed near Lyons Middle School and High School that contains highly offensive language.
