City and county commissions hold historic joint meeting to address tax errors

Officials reject direct refunds, opt to reduce 2027 budget

Clerk explains 'perfect storm' of accounting mistakes

City commission pledges earlier oversight to prevent future errors

County outsourcing sheriff sales to clear six-year backlog

Public safety costs cited as driver for mill rates

Software limitations hamper tax credit options

State compliance pressures impact local property valuations

County faces $700,000 shortfall in upcoming budget cycle

Commissioners hear $500 million solar proposal, offer to pay neighbors

Commissioners agree to forgo cost-of-living raises

County freezes $120,000 in equipment spending

ARPA funds aid water projects in Arcadia and Cherokee

Emergency management warns of significant winter storm

Residents urged to sign up for emergency alerts

City and county commissions hold historic joint meeting to address tax errors

PITTSBURG, Kan. — In a rare joint session on Jan. 22, the Pittsburg City Commission and Crawford County Commission met to publicly address significant errors in the 2026 budget process that led to unintended property tax increases. Officials confirmed that a misinterpretation of a county tax form by city finance staff resulted in an inadvertent $207,000 overcollection for the city, translating to a 1.152 mill increase. Additionally, the county identified a separate discrepancy involving the valuation of the former Ascension Via Christi Hospital property, resulting in a budget calculation error estimated between $700,000 and $800,000.

Officials reject direct refunds, opt to reduce 2027 budget

PITTSBURG, Kan. — After debating potential remedies for the tax overage, commissioners from both bodies reached a consensus to "start in the hole" for the 2027 budget rather than issuing immediate refund checks. County officials explained that software limitations and logistical costs estimated at $60,000 made mailing individual refunds of—in many cases less than $10—fiscally irresponsible. Instead, commissioners agreed to lower the mill levy for the upcoming fiscal year to offset the current overcollection, effectively returning the funds to taxpayers through a future reduction.

Clerk explains 'perfect storm' of accounting mistakes

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Crawford County Clerk Lisa Lusker and City Manager Daron Hall detailed the specific clerical errors that caused the mill levy hike. Hall explained that city staff missed a line on a county form regarding Rural Housing Incentive Districts and Tax Increment Financing, causing the city to underestimate its assessed valuation by approximately $3.3 million. Consequently, when the county calculated the mill levy required to generate the city's requested $9.3 million budget, the rate automatically increased to cover the perceived shortfall, while Lusker noted that the county's own error stemmed from failing to remove approximately $16 million in value related to the tax-exempt former Ascension Via Christi Hospital property from the rolls.

City commission pledges earlier oversight to prevent future errors

PITTSBURG, Kan. — To restore public trust and prevent recurrence, City Commissioner Cheryl Brooks announced plans to overhaul the budget review timeline. Brooks committed to beginning budget workshops as early as February, significantly earlier than previous years. The commission also plans to hold direct meetings with the county clerk prior to submitting the final budget to verify that all tax forms and valuation numbers are interpreted correctly before the state's deadline.

County outsourcing sheriff sales to clear six-year backlog

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Crawford County Counselor Jim Emerson reported that the county has partnered with an outside law firm to address a backlog of delinquent property tax sales dating back six years. The firm, which handles sales for 30 counties at no cost to the taxpayer, has been assigned approximately 300 properties. Emerson stated that the goal is to have the county fully caught up on sheriff sales by the end of the year, returning those properties to the tax rolls.

Public safety costs cited as driver for mill rates

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Despite the accounting errors, officials emphasized that the city and county are not sitting on surplus cash, citing rising costs in public safety as a primary budget driver. City Commissioner Chuck Munsell noted that the city has struggled to fund four ambulance units to handle hospital transfers, while County Commissioner Carl Wood noted that the Sheriff's Department budget had already faced scrutiny. Officials warned that while they intend to lower the mill levy next year to correct the error, inflation and operational costs remain a challenge.

Software limitations hamper tax credit options

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Crawford County Treasurer Joe Grisolano informed the commissions that the current tax administration software is unable to process a direct credit for the next tax year. Officials had hoped to simply credit the overpaid amount to taxpayers' 2026 bills, but vendors for both the accounting and tax software indicated the request was beyond the system's current capabilities. This technological limitation was a primary factor in the decision to address the issue through a mill levy reduction in the 2027 budget instead.

State compliance pressures impact local property valuations

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Discussion turned to the state's role in rising property taxes, with county appraiser officials noting the pressure to keep assessed valuations between 90 percent and 110 percent of market sales. County Commissioner Bruce Blair explained that high sale prices, often driven by out-of-state buyers paying above market value, force the county to raise valuations on surrounding properties to remain in compliance with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. Failure to maintain these levels could result in the state taking over the county's appraisal department.

County faces $700,000 shortfall in upcoming budget cycle

PITTSBURG, Kan. — While the city deals with a $207,000 overcollection, the county must manage a significantly larger discrepancy of approximately $700,000 due to the hospital valuation error. County Commissioner Tom Moody and others acknowledged that rectifying this error by lowering the levy next year will require tight budgeting. The commission indicated that unless assessed valuations rise significantly to offset the difference, the county may have to look at cuts to personnel, benefits or services to balance the 2027 budget while honoring the refund commitment.

Commissioners hear $500 million solar proposal, offer to pay neighbors

GIRARD, Kan. — Shasta Power representatives, including proprietor John Copyak, presented a proposal to the Crawford County Commission on Tuesday regarding a potential $500 million solar energy project, asking commissioners to lift the current moratorium on solar development. The company proposed a $12 million "bonus fund" derived from project revenue, suggesting the money could be distributed directly to approximately 60 homeowners neighboring the site, equating to roughly $200,000 per household over the life of the project. Commissioners remained skeptical, advising the developers to go door-to-door to gauge actual neighborhood support before the commission would consider lifting the moratorium.

Commissioners agree to forgo cost-of-living raises

GIRARD, Kan. — During a discussion on budget constraints, commissioners reached a consensus to forgo their own cost-of-living pay increases for the upcoming year to help alleviate the county's financial deficit. The board expressed a preference for prioritizing county employee raises over those for elected officials. The decision comes as the county looks for ways to trim expenses following lower-than-expected carryover funds in some departments.

County freezes $120,000 in equipment spending

GIRARD, Kan. — In a move to address budgetary concerns, the commission discussed freezing a $120,000 allocation designated for new equipment purchases within the Crawford County Road and Bridge Department. Officials suggested that the department could defer purchasing new machinery for a year and maintain existing equipment instead. The board indicated that unless a critical breakdown occurs, the funds will remain unspent to help balance the county's budget.

ARPA funds aid water projects in Arcadia and Cherokee

GIRARD, Kan. — County officials reported during an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) update that water infrastructure projects in Arcadia and Cherokee are nearing completion. The commission approved a drawdown of approximately $118,000 in ARPA funds this month, which includes payments for these municipal water improvements as well as funding for the county's comprehensive plan and digital record conversion for the Crawford County Attorney's Office. Officials noted that all ARPA funds must be obligated and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

Emergency management warns of significant winter storm

GIRARD, Kan. — Crawford County Emergency Management Director Quinton Parsons appeared before the commission to issue a warning regarding a severe winter storm expected to impact the region starting Tuesday night. The forecast calls for 8 to 13 inches of snow and dangerous wind chills dropping between minus 10 and minus 4 degrees. Four local libraries—the Girard Public Library, Arma City Library, Walnut Public Library and Hepler City Library—have been designated as warming centers during their normal operating hours. Officials noted there are currently no designated warming centers in Pittsburg.

Residents urged to sign up for emergency alerts

GIRARD, Kan. — Amid the approaching winter storm, county officials urged residents and employees to sign up for the Crawford County Emergency Notification System. The system provides real-time notifications regarding weather events, burn bans and other public safety announcements via text and email. Officials noted that currently only about 35 county employees are signed up for the internal portal and emphasized the importance of the system for disseminating information quickly during severe weather events.

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