The Neosho County Commissioners met on September 17, where public comments and budget discussions highlighted community concerns about taxes and employee wages.
Residents voiced frustrations over rising taxes alongside stagnant wages. Holly Miller from Chanute expressed, “Wages aren’t going up, but everything else is still going up. How many times can you tax the same dollar?” She criticized city government decisions, especially regarding property valuations in the Martin Osa Lane area. She circled back around to the issue at hand saying, “Throw us a rope... people are struggling.”
Tim Seibel, a retired educator from Thayer, added his concerns, stating, “My taxes are going up, and I want to voice concern for others on fixed incomes in the county.”
Shirley Estrada from rural Erie echoed these sentiments but took an unexpected stance on being against a lower RNR, noting, “It feels like smoke and mirrors.” She emphasized the need for transparency in the budgeting process, suggesting that past decisions have compounded fiscal challenges.
In response, Commissioner Nicholas Galemore remarked, “I think we’ve done a good job getting to a reasonable mill rate decrease. These economic times require us to be cautious.” Commissioner Paul Westhoff acknowledged the difficulties, stating, “We have to keep the county open, roads fixed... it’s a hard deal.”
Commissioner Klaassen addressed the issue of employee wages, saying, “I appreciate the mill levy below the RNR, but we didn’t address wages last year. If we don’t implement the wage study we spent $40,000 on, we’re never going to do it.” Commissioner Galemore asked how they could find funds for wage increases, and Klaassen suggested reaching out to department heads to consider budget cuts.
Public comments resumed with residents seeking clarity on budget allocations. Estrada noted the importance of a detailed examination, stating, “We need to go line item by line item to find a way.” Klaassen agreed, saying, “I think we need to work on this further to help the employees and the county as a whole.” Despite frustrations, the commissioners ultimately approved the budget draft with a 2-1 vote.
The meeting also included discussions about several key infrastructure projects: 70th Road (Galesburg) Overlay Project: The commissioners discussed an asphalt overlay project for Galesburg Road, which will cover 70th Road from US59 to Kingman Road. Klaassen noted, “Thanks to the PILOT Fund, we should be able to cover that,” highlighting the necessity of maintaining county roads, especially with increasing traffic from the nearby wind farm.
Erie Street Project: The commissioners allocated $36,000 from ARPA funds for the cost of rock used for the Erie project on 4th Street.
North Elk River Bridge Project: This project has been moved up to September 27, necessitating closures on North Lincoln Road heading out of town. Commissioners discussed the urgency of informing the public about these upcoming changes through local media and social platforms.
Watershed Institute Muscle Shell Relocation: The commissioners approved an expenditure of approximately $18,000 for the mussel relocation required by Kansas Wildlife and Parks, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations for the N. Elk Road River Bridge Project.
While the budget was approved, the clerk encouraged the commissioners to utilize the job descriptions and pay scale from the wage study, suggesting there may still be value in that work. The meeting concluded, with discussions about the county’s fiscal health and community needs ongoing.
Commissioners listen to public comment | Narissa Harrison
