With a property tax lid going into effect in Kansas next year, some cities and counties are taking actions to prepare for the revenue restrictions. Stephen Koranda reports.
Kansas legislators created the tax lid with a law that says property tax collections can’t grow more than an average of the consumer price index.
If property tax collections outpace the index, then either tax rates would have to go down to return that money to taxpayers or a public vote would have to be held to take in money above the cap.
In Lawrence, the new city budget proposal cuts spending and lays off some staff members to prepare for the new limits. In Topeka and other cities across the state, officials are considering their own spending limits. In Pittsburg and Overland Park, city officials are considering increasing taxes before the lid takes effect.