The Salina City Commission set the date for the 2026 budget public hearing and established a reduced mill levy rate during Monday's meeting.
Finance Director Debbie Pack presented the proposed budget timeline and noted that state statute requires a formal public hearing on the proposed budget with a public notice published at least 10 days prior to that hearing.
The commission established August 11, 2025, as the date for the public hearing and set the maximum property tax revenue at $15,646,750 with an estimated mill levy rate of 28.568 mills.
"The proposed budget establishes a maximum mill levy of 28.568 mills, which is .849 mills lower than last year," Pack explained.
According to Pack, the mill levy will allocate tax amounts to the general fund in the amount of $12,306,400 and to the bond and interest fund in the amount of $3,340,350.
Pack also noted that during the June 23, 2025, study session, the city commission directed staff to budget the 2026 budget using the revenue neutral rate. The city sent notice to the county clerk on July 8 that the city did not intend to exceed the revenue neutral rate for 2026.
The commission approved the motion by a 5-0 vote, authorizing publication of the notice of budget public hearing for the 2026 budget.
