Harvey County Commission
Week of August 27, 2026
County commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate
Revised budget proposal lowers mill levy following sweeping cuts
Residents sound alarm over property tax increases
Elimination of fifth county attorney position sparks backlash
Commission cuts funding for local charities and agencies
Courthouse remodel to proceed using cash reserves instead of bonds
Skyrocketing infrastructure costs strain county budget
County adds dispatcher and deputies to address growing call volume
Commission approves adjusted pay increases for county staff
County budgets for drop in federal inmate revenue
County commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Commission unanimously approved a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate for fiscal year 2027. Maintaining the revenue neutral rate would have required the county to drop its mill levy from 44.709 to 42.623 mills to generate the exact same property tax revenue as the previous year, offsetting increased property valuations. County Administrator Kevin Frymire cited outpacing inflation, rising insurance premiums and skyrocketing infrastructure costs as the primary drivers necessitating the property tax increase to maintain current service levels.
Revised budget proposal lowers mill levy following sweeping cuts
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Following a series of budget workshops, the commission introduced a revised recommended budget that reduces the initially proposed mill levy. The original recommended budget proposed a rate of 47.8 mills, which has now been lowered to 46.125 mills. The reduction was achieved through $591,877 in cuts, including the elimination of several external appropriations, shifting funds for a courthouse remodel and cutting funding for a proposed fifth county attorney position. The proposed tax levy for the new budget stands at $20.5 million.
Residents sound alarm over property tax increases
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Residents packed the public hearing to protest rising property taxes, pleading with the commission to find alternative revenue sources or make deeper budget cuts. Many speakers, including retirees on fixed incomes and local small business owners, shared fears of being taxed out of their homes due to sharply increased property valuations and subsequent tax hikes. Residents explicitly asked the commission to halt tax abatements for large corporations and audit all county departments to eliminate excess waste.
Elimination of fifth county attorney position sparks backlash
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — A budget cut eliminating a fifth attorney position in the Harvey County Attorney's Office drew sharp criticism from law enforcement officers, social workers and County Attorney Heather Figger. Figger argued that the county's case volume is growing and noted that the 9th Judicial District Court has recently expanded from two to four full-time judges. Figger, who noted she returned a portion of her budget in salary savings to the county this year due to ongoing recruitment struggles, warned the commission that cutting the position threatens local public safety and will exacerbate severe attorney burnout.
Commission cuts funding for local charities and agencies
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — In an effort to trim the county budget, the commission eliminated or reduced funding for several external community organizations. Appropriations for Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center and Peace Connections were completely eliminated from the revised budget. Additionally, the county decreased its financial contributions to Health Ministries Clinic, local mental health initiatives and the Harvey County Historical Society. The targeted cuts were part of a broader $591,877 reduction aimed at minimizing property tax hikes for residents.
Courthouse remodel to proceed using cash reserves instead of bonds
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission opted to eliminate a proposed bond and interest payment for a planned Harvey County Courthouse remodel, choosing instead to fund the project using current county funds to avoid a tax increase. The remodel, estimated to cost between $2.8 million and $9.4 million depending on the finalized design, was deemed necessary after the state assigned two new judges to the county, bringing the total to four. Officials noted that the current courthouse lacks the space required for four operational courtrooms and presents serious safety concerns regarding the transport of inmates through public areas.
Skyrocketing infrastructure costs strain county budget
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Significant increases in the cost of road and bridge maintenance were highlighted by administrators as major contributors to the county's budget pressures. County Administrator Kevin Frymire reported that the cost of asphalt overlay has surged to $134,000 per mile — a $23,000 increase over the last five years. Furthermore, the cost to replace a bridge in Harvey County has more than tripled over the past two decades, jumping from $350,000 to over $1.1 million, forcing the county to delay critical repairs on its inventory of hundreds of bridges and culverts.
County adds dispatcher and deputies to address growing call volume
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The revised budget includes funding for one new 911 dispatcher and two additional sheriff's deputies, though a request for a second dispatcher was cut during budget revisions. The $81,000 addition for the dispatch position comes as the county's 911 call center reportedly operates at maximum capacity. County officials anticipate further increases in emergency call volume due to local industrial growth, specifically citing the incoming GAF manufacturing plant.
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