By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
To receive the same amount of tax dollars as last year’s budget, the
Great Bend Recreation Commission was given a Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) of
8.595. The Rec Board approved a motion to exceed the RNR and distribute a 9.75
mill levy to taxpayers, thus collecting an additional $227,000 in tax dollars for the 2024 fiscal budget compared to the year before.
The Great Bend Rec raised their tax rate last year, going from 8.75 mills to
9.75 mills to mostly benefit employees. The Rec will keep their mill levy flat
at 9.75. With the increase in valuations this year, the Rec could garner
the same amount of tax dollars by lowering their rate to 8.595 this year.
GBRC
Executive Director Chris Umphres did not want to miss out on the additional tax
dollars.
"The difference in the rates would be $227,070," said Umphres. "That's what we would be giving up if we accepted the Revenue Neutral Rate. I don't know any other organization that accepts that. We're allowed to take the full eight mills."
The Rec’s tax rate is split with eight mills designated for the general fund,
and 1.75 directed toward the employee benefit fund. The budget statement summary anticipates
the Rec collecting more than $1.8 million in tax revenues for the 2024 fiscal
year.
"You can see all the reports that we've done, different activities and things that we do across the community," said Umphres. "I think that we're a needed organization, and we want to accept the full eight mills."
Two community members, including Dr. Rick Krause, expressed concerns
Monday at the Rec’s RNR and budget hearings.
"The assessed values on properties went up from 10% to 30%," said Krause. "If you hold your mill levy neutral, you're making more money. I have patients that have to worry about if they're paying their grocery bill, utility bill or doctor bill. Those people are not in position, living on social security, to go out and work harder to pay for the increase that you are asking for."
Along with a cash carryover of $2.4 million, tax revenues of $1.8 million and
fees and charges of $231,000, the Rec is expecting total revenue to reach
nearly $4.7 million in the 2024 budget. Approximately 39% of the Rec’s expenses
go toward personnel.