County adopts higher tax rate

The Johnson County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted the proposed property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year during its Sept. 14 meeting.

The new rate, 41.7 cents per $100 of valuation, marks an increase over the current rate of 38.9 cents per $100.

The increase is necessary because of inflation and current economic conditions, County Judge Chris Boedeker said.

“Other banner items that led to the [increase proposal] came about because our health insurance coverage costs are going to increase by about $2 million per year,” Boedeker said. “We’re also anticipating decreases in our jail lease revenue numbers of about $3 million in the coming year.”

Historically, the county has gained revenue by leasing jail space for inmates from other counties. Lately, however, Johnson County inmate numbers have increased.

“The more of our people we have in there, the less space we have to lease out to other counties,” Boedeker said.

Commissioners unanimously adopted the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year earlier this month.

County Commissioner Rick Bailey said that the proposed tax rate, as did the current year’s tax rate, included a 1 cent addition necessitated by of $60 million worth of transportation bonds approved by voters two years ago.

The first draft of the budget coupled with revenue projections for the coming year showed a $17.5 million shortfall. Commissioners, through cuts to proposals for next year and other measures, managed to whittle that shortfall away.

“We had to find our way through the shortfall,” Boedeker said. “But the proposed budget filed will be balanced to the penny.”

The county’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1

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