Dodge City Commission Summary
Week of September 18, 2026
Dodge City Commissioners unanimously approve 2027 city budget
Assessed property valuations see 2% increase
Dodge City Police Department budget increases by $400,000 to cover personnel
City operates with staffing levels up to 20% below similar communities
Officials reflect on historic property tax reductions
Dodge City Fire Department fully funded in new budget
Inflation and fuel costs pressure city operations
City employees to receive merit raises and cost-of-living adjustments
City maintains $1.7 million emergency reserve fund
Expiring housing incentives expected to broaden tax base
Dodge City Commissioners unanimously approve 2027 city budget
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Commission voted 5-0 to approve the proposed 2027 city budget, setting a preliminary mill levy of 35.667 mills. The newly adopted rate represents a slight increase of 0.056 mills over the 2026 levy of 35.611 mills. Finance Director Nicole May noted that Ford County's final property valuations will not be certified until the fall, meaning the actual mill levy property owners pay could decrease before tax bills are issued.
Assessed property valuations see 2% increase
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City's assessed property valuation for the 2027 budget cycle has reached just over $234.3 million, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. According to Finance Director Nicole May, this valuation bump translates to approximately $160,000 in additional revenue for the city's $24 million budget.
Dodge City Police Department budget increases by $400,000 to cover personnel
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Police Department will see a budget increase of more than $400,000 in 2027. City administrators confirmed the jump is almost entirely dedicated to personnel costs, specifically employee step increases and cost-of-living adjustments. Despite the funding increase, three positions within the Dodge City Police Department will remain unfunded for the upcoming fiscal year.
City operates with staffing levels up to 20% below similar communities
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City continues to operate with a notably lean staff, running 15% to 20% below the staffing levels of similarly sized communities like Garden City, which has a general fund nearly twice the size of Dodge City's, according to city administrators. To help balance the 2027 budget, the city eliminated two administrative positions this year, though administrators noted they may eventually add one position back into the Dodge City Finance Department.
Officials reflect on historic property tax reductions
DODGE CITY, Kan. — City administrators cautioned during the budget hearing that Dodge City must carefully balance future tax relief against long-term infrastructure needs. Noting historical trends, officials recalled that the city's property tax rate peaked near 56 mills around 2012 and 2013. Since then, the property tax rate has dropped significantly, with officials estimating a reduction of nearly 37% from that peak. Administrators suggested the Dodge City Commission must now focus on keeping the levy flat, warning that continued reductions could eventually force the city to delay prioritized, large-scale capital projects.
Dodge City Fire Department fully funded in new budget
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Fire Department is fully staffed and fully funded under the 2027 budget. While no new positions were added for the upcoming year, city leaders discussed the potential future need to hire a dedicated safety or training officer for the Dodge City Fire Department, a topic they plan to revisit in upcoming budget cycles.
Inflation and fuel costs pressure city operations
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Rising inflation and fuel costs remain a top concern for Dodge City's Utility and Public Works departments. While the city closely monitors these fluctuating regional energy prices, officials are proactively managing operational expenses. The city is gradually adjusting utility fund budgets to keep pace with inflation, a strategy administrators say is necessary to avoid implementing massive rate hikes in the future.
City employees to receive merit raises and cost-of-living adjustments
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The newly approved budget incorporates merit raises and cost-of-living adjustments for all city employees to remain competitive in the labor market. Officials emphasized the importance of funding these incremental adjustments annually, noting that in the past, falling behind salary survey recommendations forced the city to make massive, sudden pay jumps to retain staff.
City maintains $1.7 million emergency reserve fund
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City will hold a $1.7 million emergency reserve in its general fund for the 2027 fiscal year. The budget also relies on flat revenue projections for both sales and franchise taxes, while ensuring continued funding for the Municipal Equipment Replacement Program and Capital Improvement Funds. Small increases were also budgeted to cover rising insurance premiums.
Expiring housing incentives expected to broaden tax base
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City anticipates future relief for property taxpayers as developments within a Rural Housing Incentive District prepare to return to the standard tax rolls. Finance Director Nicole May noted that these returning properties were not included in the initial Ford County valuations used for the proposed budget, but they will eventually expand the tax base and help lower the final mill levy for all residents.
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