This update aims to clear up any confusion caused by inaccurate information in a recent newspaper article about the budget of Riley County Fire District #1, which was published on August 21, 2023.
The proposed 2024 mill levy rate for Riley County Fire District #1 has been reduced from 8.914 to 7.737 after staff identified an error in the budget spreadsheet. An expenditure amount was entered twice. The correction resulted in a reduction of $187,998.78 needed to support the department in 2024.
The article mentions the budget adjustment will cause a reduction in city ad valorem taxes, which is incorrect. RCFD#1 is not funded by City of Manhattan residents. Instead, Riley County residents living outside the City of Manhattan pay taxes for rural fire service, while Manhattan residents fund the Manhattan Fire Department.
The new rate of 7.737 still represents a budget increase compared to 2023, so a public hearing will take place as mandated under Kansas Revenue Neutral Rate requirements.
The RCFD#1 RNR public hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 28 at 9:20 a.m. in the Riley County Commission Chambers, immediately following the Riley County hearing.
Find more information about Revenue Neutral Rate requirements, as well as the schedule of public hearings for all taxing authorities in Riley County at www.rileycountyks.gov/rnr
| RCFD#1 Budget | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 - corrected |
|---|
Expenditures | $1,207,381 | $1,258,295 | $1,365,788 |
Mill Levy Rate | 8.139 | 7.633 | 7.37 |