City of Gardner Council Meeting 09/08/2026

The City of Gardner, Kansas held a council meeting on September 8, 2026, primarily focused on budget discussions and public input regarding the city's intent to exceed the revenue neutral property tax rate for fiscal year 2027. The council conducted public hearings where residents expressed concerns about rising property taxes, utility rate increases, and the impact of budget decisions on citizens, especially those on fixed incomes and veterans. The council discussed the proposed 2027 budget, which includes a mill levy of 17.814 mills, infrastructure investments such as road improvements and utility projects, and personnel needs including new equipment and police vehicles. The council voted to adopt resolution 2204 to exceed the revenue neutral rate and later passed ordinance 288 adopting the 2027 budget despite some opposition. Additionally, the council considered ordinances to condemn property through eminent domain for street improvement projects to maintain project timelines. The meeting featured detailed discussions on balancing fiscal responsibility with community growth and service needs, with emphasis on finding budget cuts and managing operational expenses.