The Gardner City Council will vote Sept. 8 on a $150 million budget, a property tax rate above the state's revenue neutral threshold and eminent domain for three road projects.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 120 East Main St. Two public hearings open the evening before the formal votes, according to the meeting agenda.
Budget and mill levy
The proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget carries $150,058,902 in total spending authority across all city funds. The proposed mill levy is 17.814 mills, unchanged from the current year.
That rate still exceeds the revenue neutral rate of 16.933 mills calculated by the Johnson County Clerk. Under Kansas Senate Bill 13, a city must hold a public hearing and vote separately before it can levy above that line. Staff recommends the council adopt Resolution No. 2204 to exceed the rate and Ordinance No. 2888 to adopt the budget.
Finance Director Matt Wolff wrote in his staff report that the budget supports continued infrastructure investment and community growth. Wolff described the projected end-of-year 2027 General Fund balance, at 34% of expenditures, as structurally sound.
Gardner's assessed valuation rose to $383,891,043 for FY2027, up from $369,229,856 the prior year. The budget sets the 2026 ad valorem tax levy at $6,838,400.
Residents will also see utility bills climb. The budget includes a 4.7% water rate increase and a 4.2% wastewater rate increase in 2027 to cover debt service on water infrastructure and the expansion of the Kill Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Eminent domain for three road projects
The council will consider three separate ordinances to condemn property for road construction. The projects:
- 167th Street, Center to Moonlight Road: budgeted at $10,503,000
- 175th Street and Clare Road: budgeted at $14,920,000
- Grand Street, Pine Street to Center Street: budgeted at $1,350,000
Together the three projects carry a combined budget of roughly $26.8 million, according to the city's budget brief. The council took a preliminary step at its Aug. 17 meeting, passing resolutions declaring the acquisitions necessary. Tuesday's ordinances would authorize the city to begin condemnation proceedings.
The specific properties and landowners affected are not identified in the publicly available agenda materials.
The council's current members are Council President Mark Baldwin, Vice President Kacy Deaton and Councilmembers Mark Wiehn, Steve McNeer and Kelly Johnson. Mayor Todd Winters presides.
How to weigh in
Residents can attend the meeting in person, submit written comments of up to 500 words by noon Tuesday to [email protected], or watch the livestream on the city's YouTube channel.
