The Geary County Commission will not need to submit any proposed property tax levy increase to local voters for consideration.

Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze confirmed Monday that the governing body would be under the tax lid for 2019 so no election would be needed. “We’re all very relieved.” Stimatze added with the preliminary numbers that are in the County is in good shape and will not exceed the tax lid.

Under state law any appropriation or budget funded by property taxes in an amount exceeding that of the preceding year as adjusted to the CPI, does not become effective unless the resolution is submitted and approved by a majority of the voters of the city or county.

It is possible to raise the property tax levy a small amount under the tax lid without taking it to the voters, but Stimatze explained the commission does not want to raise the levy. “We’re going to try and not even to raise it. We’re going  to try either to keep it the same or even lower it a little bit.”  Final County budget approval for 2019 is not anticipated until August.