Lhermansen@cherryroad.com

The Board of County Commissioners held a two hour public hearing Monday,August 22 to receive citizen feedback on the 2023 fiscal year budget.

The BOCC passed three separate motions 5 to 2 for exceeding the revenue neutral rate for the County, Parks and Rec and Library budgets with Commissioners Charlotte O’Hara and Michael Ashcraft dissenting.

Ashcraft said he had concerns about residents on fixed incomes.

“If you’re on a fixed income any increase costs,”he said. “I’m very sensitive to that.”

Almost every speaker voiced their opposition to the county’s decision to raise property taxes to meet budget shortfalls.

Property taxes for the average county resident will increase an additional estimated $80 per home owner for 2023.

Olathe Resident Mary Blake said her mortgage had increased to $8500 a month making her property tax $70 a month.

“It may seem insignificant to you,”she said. “I’m retired on a fixed income. A six percent increase feels like a tightening noose. Families are struggling to keep up. We can’t continue to be taxed. You need efficiency and spending restraints. If you have that much in Reserves what is the reason. The economy is on the brink of collapse. Inflation is at an all time high. Shortages are coming this winter. No taxation without representation. Our government has turned a deaf ear.”

Similar themes from residents who spoke during public comments included not understanding why the general fund reserves were not being used to make up the difference for budget shortfalls, wanting the Sheriff’s department to be properly funded and not wanting to support developments residents didn’t ask for resonated through the evening.

John Anderson, Prairie Village resident, said an understaffed and underfunded would create delayed response calls especially when 57 officers are already unpaid and the department has a $18 million a year deficit.

“Over the last two years of Covid the government received $32 million and the Board laundered money and put it into the Reserve Fund,”he said. “The Sheriff’s department is in a difficult position to be able to protect us while working mandatory overtime. They risk their lives for $49,000.”

Anderson said other cities were stealing officers away for a $20,000 salary increase or bonus.

“I don’t understand how you continue to hamper the Sheriff to do their job and hurt citizens,”he said. “People are angry as hell. The government doesn’t understand how to run law enforcement.”

Carol Donis, 27 year Olathe resident, said she was concerned the budget had doubled the last 10 years and the Reserve funds tripled.

“What are you putting it aside for,”she said. “Why are you not using some of the reserves. Why are you asking for $1.65 billion but only spending $1.1 million. We expect good things from you. Ever look at trying to reduce costs by looking at last years expenditures.”

Donis is said it was the highest inflation in 40 years.

“Why aren’t you looking out for taxpayers,”she said. “JoCo has a lot of money. We are a wealthy county. Cut public health. Public safety should be highest priority.”

Steven Snitts, Prairie Village resident, said the county trusts Sheriff Calvin Hayden to ensure safety for residents.

“The metroplex is under risk,”he said. “Why are staffing requests ignored. A budget review shows there are plenty in reserves. We need the Sheriff to manage the department and insure our safety. I don’t want to hear I’m on hold when calling.”

Snitts said it was an unacceptable threat to public safety and poor fiscal management.

“Local governments are using the technique of stashing cash,”he said. “Isn’t it time to reform the budget process. Start with zero and then justify. You’re the only government who doesn’t do that.”

Rebecca Shipley, Olathe business owner, said the county’s population had only increased by 11 percent.

“We have a spending and gifting problem—not income,”she said.

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