Abilene Commission Votes to Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate for 2027 Budget

The Abilene City Commission voted Wednesday to approve a resolution of intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for the city’s 2027 budget.

The commission held the special meeting at 4:15 p.m. July 15, 2026, at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th St. The sole purpose of the meeting was to consider Resolution 071526-1.

If approved, the resolution directed the city manager to notify the Dickinson County Clerk that Abilene intends to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate as part of its 2027 budget process.

Under Kansas law, the Revenue Neutral Rate is the property tax rate that would generate the same amount of tax revenue as the prior year, using the current tax base. Local governments that plan to collect more property tax revenue than that rate must approve a resolution of intent and hold a public hearing before adopting a higher rate.

The motion carried on a split roll call vote. Commissioner Lytle, Commissioner Meysenburg and Vice Mayor Cy Taylor voted in favor. Mayor Brandon Rein voted against. Commissioner Kollhoff was absent from the meeting.

Before the vote, Rein referenced a concern he had raised earlier in the week, saying, “That’s my one caveat that I addressed on Monday,” then asked whether there was any further commission discussion. No additional discussion was recorded before the roll call vote.