The Geary County Commission has adopted a proposed 2020 county budget for publication. The approximate $17 million spending plan will now go to a public hearing on August 19th, said Commissioner Keith Ascher. “It will go to publication and then we set a public hearing for the 19th of this month, and then we’ll take a final vote on it on the 26th.”

The property tax levy would increase slightly from 70.47 up to 70.706 mills, or about three-tenths of one mill.

The county commission trimmed more than 11 mills from budget proposals before they came up with a spending plan. Core services provided by the county received more emphasis this year, while some other agencies that receive funding would see a reduction. Among them there would be a $10,000 reduction to Pawnee Mental Health Services funding and a $30,000 reduction for ATA Bus funding.