The Geary County Commission has voted 3-0 to adopt a 2016 county budget with a 6.651 increase in the property tax levy. The total levy has been calculated at 67.478 mills.

The tax levy hike translates to a $76.49 annual increase in the property tax bill on a home valued at $100,000.

During a public hearing on the spending plan Monday, a member of the public, Allan Rothlisberg, Grandview Plaza, suggested to the commission the formation of a study committee to review the operations of the county and make recommendations back to the commission. He favors having a committee comprised of people who are not connected with a business or lobbyist group. “Just regular citizens getting together, looking at all these programs, to see where they can actually find more efficiency.”

Commissioner Florence Whitebread noted during the hearing that the governing body looks at everything, and if he had any questions about any projects to bring it to them.

Commission Chairman Ben Bennett noted the county receives the expertise of both the National Association of Counties and Kansas Association of Counties, and they join other county commissions for meetings periodically to share ideas and concerns.

Rothlisberg and one other member of the public, Mary Smith of rural Geary County, were the only people to address the commission during the hearing. Smith stated she was opposed to any property tax increase. “I have all the same expenditures. I would like to have additional funding as well.” Smith also added at one point, “I don’t like the fact you have to put that on the taxpayers backs.”

The County Commission vote in the favor of the 2016 budget was 3-0 with Ben Bennett, Florence Whitebread, and Larry Hicks all voting yes.