The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas will host its first budget workshop for the 2026 budget process. It will be held on Thursday, March 13, at 5 p.m.
The session will provide a refresher on the adopted 2025 budget. It will discuss the impacts of adopting a revenue neutral budget. It will also outline a proposed debt strategy. Commissioners will also consider approaches to fiscal sustainability moving forward.
The concept of the Revenue Neutral Rate is a key discussion point. A Kansas law enforces limits on how much property tax revenue local governments can collect. They are restricted to collecting only the same amount as the previous year. Property values have risen in recent years. Because of this increase, Wyandotte County typically would have seen higher revenues without a tax rate change. However, the UG Commission adopted a revenue neutral budget for 2025. This decision resulted in budget cuts. It also led to a reduction in the city and county mill levy. Whether to continue that approach for 2026 will be decided during this year’s process.
Additional budget engagement opportunities include two DotteTalk community conversations scheduled for April, where residents can weigh in on budget priorities. The public can comment on the proposed 2026 budget during a hearing. This will take place on Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m.
Budget workshops are scheduled to continue throughout the spring and summer. Key sessions are set for April 10 and April 24. Additional sessions will be held on May 15 and May 29. Further key dates include June 12 and June 26. Finally, there are sessions on August 7 and August 14.
Community members are invited to attend in person at the Municipal Building. They can also watch remotely via Zoom. Alternatively, they can tune in live on UGTV (Spectrum channel 2) and the Unified Government’s YouTube channel.
