Johnson County commissioners voted 6-1 on Sept. 3 to adopt a $1.91 billion budget for 2027. The tax rate stays flat, but the average Olathe homeowner's bill still rises an estimated 4.3%, according to the Olathe Reporter.

Commissioner Michael Ashcraft, who represents the Fifth District, cast the only vote against the budget. No on-record statement from Ashcraft explaining his Sept. 3 vote was available.

At an Aug. 27 public hearing where residents spoke against the spending plan, Ashcraft addressed the crowd directly: "A lot of people will say, 'Well, you just have the disgruntled people here today, and they're a small minority of the vast number of people here in Johnson County.' Well, you may be a minority, but you're not that small," he said, according to the Johnson County Post.

The budget sets a published mill levy of 24.119 mills. The rate is projected to hold at 24.130 mills once property valuation appeals are processed, according to the county's official announcement. That levy breaks down to 17.290 mills for the county taxing district, 3.817 mills for the library and 3.023 mills for parks and recreation.

Rising property valuations, not a higher tax rate, are driving the increase in Olathe tax bills.

The $1.91 billion total includes $1.378 billion in operating expenditures and $530 million in reserves. Operating spending grew just 0.37% over the 2026 budget, while total authorized expenditures fell.

No new tax-funded positions were added. The county did hire seven new staff for MED-ACT, the county's emergency medical service, and eight motor vehicle office workers, funded through non-tax revenue. An additional ambulance was also funded to handle growing demand from the county's aging population.

The budget continues a property tax rebate pilot program that provided relief to 687 residents in 2026. It also maintains $530 million in reserves to preserve the county's AAA bond rating.

Chair Mike Kelly said the budget reflects deliberate restraint. "Our 2027 budget is up only 0.37% from 2026, and total authorized expenditures are down from the 2026 budget," Kelly said in a statement. "Against inflation of 3.4%, this reflects the Board's deliberate choice to absorb financial pressures instead of passing them on dollar for dollar."

The county closed a budget gap starting in January through a hiring pause on vacant positions, new revenue sources and cost savings, according to the county's announcement. County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson credited staff expertise for balancing the budget amid rising costs and declining revenue.

The final mill levy will be confirmed in October after property valuation appeals are processed.