June 30, 2026 Town Hall

The City of Garden City, Kansas held a town hall meeting on June 30, 2026, primarily focused on discussing the 2027 budget and property tax mill levy considerations. Staff presented detailed budget documents including potential reductions, programming changes, recurring costs, staffing reductions, and revenue options to address a significant budget gap estimated at around $2.5 million. The discussion included the possibility of increasing the mill levy by one to two mills, implementing fee changes for city services such as zoo admission and airport parking, and exploring vehicle leasing options to reduce upfront costs. Public comments emphasized concerns about property taxes and the importance of maintaining community services like the zoo, pool, and recreational programs. The commission showed a general consensus toward adopting all proposed "green" budget reductions and considering a mill levy increase between one and two mills to balance the budget while preserving essential services. Staff committed to preparing detailed budget adjustment scenarios for the next meeting to finalize the revenue neutral rate and mill levy decisions.