Geary County Department heads have been making tough decisions on their needs as the County prepares its 2018 budget.

Ben Bennett, County Commission Chairman, said there were cuts made in almost every department, but the County does not anticipate the need for a special election to increase the property tax levy.

“We have to make that decision this week and we’re in a position to do that; so if we come in to the point where we would need something like that, we would have to go back to the drawing board and make some additional cuts because we’re not going to ask for an election.”

A new state law would allow for a small increase in the tax levy, but anything beyond the allowable amount would require voter approval.

Bennett has made it clear that the County Commission wants to keep the levy the same or possibly lower.