This update is intended to clear up any confusion caused by inaccurate information published in a local newspaper article about the 2024 Riley County budget.
FALSE: Commissioners set a 2024 budget of $50.86 million. This is an 11% overall increase from last year’s $45.75 million.
TRUE: Riley County’s 2024 budget is $92.3 million. The 2023 budget was $75.6 million.
This large overall increase is due to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funds currently saved in Riley County accounts. As of August 10, 2023, those disaster fund balances totaled $14,024,306. That disaster fund money has been allocated for two EMS projects as well as upcoming rural wastewater projects.
FALSE: For the average taxpayer, that’s an increase of 12.85% in property taxes.
TRUE: Ad valorem (property tax) funds are not the only revenue sources included in the county budget. The property tax portion of the budget for 2024 is $31.7 million. This number represents an increase of $1.25M or 4.1% more than 2023.
The budget numbers were published as a public notice in this particular newspaper, shared in a news release, and posted online on the Riley County website and social media platforms. The complete budget book for 2024 is still in the works, but you can find the numbers, including a breakdown for fund expenditures, on the Riley County website at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3190
Find additional budget information at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/30/Budget-Finance
RILEY COUNTY BUDGET COMPARRISON TABLE
| 2023 Budget Total | 2024 Budget Total |
|---|
Riley County | $75,642,867 | $92,278,743 |
Riley County Fire District #1 | $1,258,295 | $1,365,788 |
PROPERTY TAX REVENUE COMPARRISON TABLE
| 2023 Property Tax Revenue | 2023 Mill Levy | 2024 Property Tax Revenue | 2024 Mill Levy |
|---|
Riley County | $30,426,513 | 42.214 | $31,676,715 | 39.956 |
Riley County Fire District #1 | $1,258,295 | 7.633 | $1,365,788 | 7.737 |
