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AUTHORIZE THE PUBLICATION OF THE MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX LEVY TO FUND THE 2015 FIRE DISTRICT 1 BUDGET AND ESTABLISH PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS ON JULY 30 AND AUGUST 11, 2014.
Presented by: Lindsay Poe Rousseau, Budget Director.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the publication of the maximum property tax levy to fund the 2015 budget and notice of a public budget hearing on August 11, 2014.
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Under K.S.A. 79-2929, Fire District 1 is required to publish notice of the time and place of a budget hearing at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The notice also must provide a summary of the proposed budget that includes the maximum property tax levy proposed to fund the 2015 budget and the total amount of proposed 2015 spending. This day is often referred to as the "last up day," meaning the total budget for property tax supported funds and the maximum property tax levy cannot be increased after this date without republishing the public hearing notice and holding an additional public hearing.
Fire District #1 has solicited input on its 2015 budget throughout the budget process, including budget review sessions with departmental staff and multiple budget discussions. Upcoming budget hearings on July 30 and August 11 will provide additional opportunities for interested members of the public to provide their valuable input. The budget is scheduled to be adopted on August 13.
The state law requires only one public hearing, but for many years the Board of County Commissioners has conducted an additional one to increase the opportunity for constituents to share their views before the budget is adopted. Because the July 30 hearing will be fewer than 10 days following the publication of the notice, only the August 11 hearing will be advertised in the publication to comply with the 10-day hearing notice requirement.
Financial Considerations: The publication for Fire District 1 includes total expenditures of $17,627,925 with a total property tax levy of $15,112,206...
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