One week from tomorrow, the public is invited to weigh in on the Garnett City Commission’s intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate in the upcoming budget. The new proposed budget raises $30,000 more in property taxes and boosts overall spending by $2.4 million. City Manager Travis Wilson says primary targets included in this year’s budget include a major wastewater line project, for which the city hopes to acquire grant assistance, refurbishing baseball fields at Lake Garnett to help drainage and replacement of bleachers at the Legion baseball field. Another city road project is also planned for the 2025 work year as well, he said.
Overall, the 2025 budget document outlines some $16.5 million in total planned spending for the coming year. The revenue neutral rate is the mill levy that when applied to the current year’s assessed property value, would produce the same amount of tax money as the prior year. Exceeding that rate requires a special public hearing as well as notification by letter of the action to taxpayers to allow for public comment.
The budget hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regularly scheduled City Commission Meeting August 27 at City Hall.
