Committee hears arguments for and against letting cities and counties levy earnings taxes House Bill 23-85 would allow cities or counties to levy up to a 1% earnings tax on nonresident workers, with at least half the revenue earmarked for property tax relief and voter approval required; proponents said it provides local revenue options, while opponents warned it could deter investment and raise equity and military‑pay issues.

A new bill could allow Kansas cities and counties to impose a 1% earnings tax on non-resident workers, sparking a heated debate over local revenue and fairness.

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#KS #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #EconomicEquity #TaxationReform #KansasCounties

Panel reviews bill to let counties place up to 2% special-purpose sales taxes before voters House Bill 27-12 would let counties submit ballot questions enabling up to a 2% special-purpose county sales tax (in addition to the existing 1% general authority), require certain posting and apportionment rules, and impose a 10-year limit on special-purpose levies; KDOR recommended administrative fixes to statute citations and timing.

Counties in Kansas may soon have the power to ask voters for a new 2% special-purpose sales tax to fund local projects – but what does this mean for your wallet?

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#KS #VoterEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #KansasCounties #TaxReform #GovernmentEfficiency

County officials tell committee lost state transfers and limited taxes force heavier property-tax burdens Jay Hall told a legislative committee counties rely heavily on property taxes after the state consolidated former local revenue sources; he urged options including restoring certain use taxes, raising motor-vehicle shares and allowing local earning- or sales-tax options to diversify local revenues.

Counties are facing a severe financial crisis as property taxes skyrocket due to the loss of vital state funding and local revenue streams.

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#KS #CivicAccountability #LocalRevenue #CitizenPortal #KansasCounties #TaxReform

Post Audit: Three counties spent $28.8M on selected state‑mandated services in 2024 Legislative Post Audit reported that Johnson, Gove and Levett counties spent an estimated $28.8 million providing three state‑required services in 2024, partially offset by $9.7 million in state, federal and user‑fee funding; auditors estimated it would cost the state about $19.1 million to make those counties whole for those services.

Three Kansas counties spent a staggering $28.8 million on essential services in 2024, raising questions about funding disparities and operational efficiency.

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#KS #ServiceEquity #FiscalTransparency #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal #KansasCounties

Lobbyist briefs commissioners on 2026 legislative landscape; property tax reform remains unsettled Lobbyist Tom Bruno updated Riley County commissioners on likely 2026 state legislative topics — including the governor's race, budget projections, congressional redistricting, property-tax discussions, short-term rental rules and education funding — and said property-tax reform remains politically complicated and unresolved.

Riley County commissioners received a crucial update on the 2026 Kansas legislative landscape, where property tax reform remains a tangled web of ideas without a clear solution.

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#KS #PropertyTaxReform #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal #LegislativeProcess #KansasCounties

Post Audit: Three counties spent $28.8M in 2024 on state-mandated services; county officials say they still need local flexibility A Legislative Post Audit report found three Kansas counties spent an estimated $28.8 million in fiscal 2024 to provide a selection of state-required services, with about $9.7 million offset by state, federal or user-fee funding. Auditors said counties fund most services from local taxes; county officials told the committee they collect many fees on

Three Kansas counties spent a staggering $28.8 million in 2024 on state-mandated services, raising questions about local funding and the need for greater flexibility in fee structures.

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#KS #CitizenPortal #KansasCounties #LocalGovernment #FiscalTransparency #ServiceImprovement

Staff review outlines history of Kansas oil-and-gas valuation depletion trust fund and its mechanics Legislative staff described a 2005–2016 program that diverted a portion of state severance tax receipts into county-level trust subaccounts to smooth declines in mineral leasehold taxable values. The fund built balances for participating counties and distributed payments if mineral valuations fell by at least 50 percent compared with two years past

Discover how a unique trust fund in Kansas aimed to protect counties from the rollercoaster of oil-and-gas valuations, but did it really deliver on its promise?

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#KS #CitizenPortal #EconomicStability #KansasCounties #LegislativeReform #ResourceManagement

Kansas committee approves new sales tax authority for Finney County projects Committee favors passing two sales tax bills for Finney County funding public projects.

Kansas lawmakers are on the verge of empowering local counties with new sales tax measures that could revolutionize funding for essential infrastructure projects!

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#KS #LocalTaxation #InfrastructureFunding #KansasCounties #CommunityEmpowerment #CitizenPortal

Wabaunsee Wyandotte counties propose sales tax for courthouse and jail funding Counties may hold elections to implement a sales tax for facility financing.

A new bill in Kansas could empower counties to impose a sales tax to fund much-needed upgrades to courthouses and jails—will voters support this critical investment in public safety?

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#KS #InfrastructureImprovement #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #KansasCounties

Cherokee County voters approve 0.5% sales tax for ambulance and facility funding Voters validate Cherokee County sales tax for ambulance services and building renovations.

A new Kansas bill could transform local funding by allowing counties to impose a sales tax aimed at improving essential services and infrastructure—will it be a boon or a burden for residents?

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#KS #InfrastructureFunding #EconomicDevelopment #PublicServices #KansasCounties

Dickinson and Sherman counties propose new sales taxes for road improvements County commissioners seek voter approval for sales taxes to fund roadway construction.

Kansas counties are gearing up to boost their infrastructure with a bold new bill that could reshape local economies through sales tax initiatives.

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#KS #EconomicDevelopment #InfrastructureImprovement #KansasCounties #TaxationPolicy #CitizenPortal

Montgomery County implements new sales tax revenue distribution plan Montgomery County adjusts sales tax revenue apportionment for cities and unincorporated areas.

Kansas is on the brink of a financial shift with House Bill 2125, which could redefine how sales tax revenue is shared between counties and cities, sparking fierce debates on local funding equity.

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#KS #FinancialAutonomy #RevenueDistribution #KansasCounties #LocalGovernance

County commissioners propose new retailers' sales taxes for roadway and public safety projects County commissioners seek voter approval for new sales taxes across multiple counties.

Kansas counties are set to vote on new sales taxes aimed at funding critical infrastructure and public safety projects—will residents embrace the change or resist the added burden?

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#KS #InfrastructureDevelopment #TaxpayerAccountability #KansasCounties #CitizenPortal

Allen County proposes 0.5% sales tax for solid waste disposal financing Allen County commissioners may seek voter approval for a solid waste sales tax.

A new legislative proposal in Kansas could reshape local health services and infrastructure funding, but is the price too high for consumers?

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#KS #CommunityWelfare #PublicHealth #KansasCounties #FiscalPolicy #CitizenPortal

Montgomery and Phillips counties approve new tax revenue allocation strategies Counties establish new apportionment methods for sales tax revenue through legislative changes

A new bill in the Kansas State Legislature could reshape how sales tax revenue is allocated among counties, sparking intense debate over its impact on local funding and resources.

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#KS #RevenueAllocation #KansasCounties #LocalGovernment #CitizenPortal #TaxPolicy

Butler and Barton counties propose new sales taxes for infrastructure funding County commissioners aim to finance public safety and roadway projects through new sales taxes.

Kansas counties are pushing for a new sales tax that could transform public infrastructure, from safer roads to vital public safety projects.

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#KS #EconomicDevelopment #PublicInfrastructure #KansasCounties #TaxationPolicy #CitizenPortal

Kansas Legislature approves citizens commissions for larger counties' local governance Kansas bill establishes citizen commissions in counties with populations over 170000

Kansas is taking a bold step toward enhancing local governance by proposing a citizens commission that empowers residents to have a direct say in their community's decisions.

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#KS #CivicParticipation #CommunityEngagement #GovernmentTransparency #KansasCounties #CitizenPortal

Kansas Senate approves earnings tax for nonresidents to fund infrastructure Kansas Senate Bill 103 enables cities to levy earnings tax on nonresidents for infrastructure.

Kansas Senate Bill 103 is stirring up a heated debate over local control and state authority, potentially reshaping how counties manage vital issues like alcohol sales and lottery regulations.

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#KS #LocalAutonomy #LocalGovAI #LegislativeClarity #GovernanceBalance #KansasCounties