Lawrence city commissioners will listen to public feedback about the proposed 2026 budget, which will increase property taxes, during Tuesday’s meeting.
Commissioners in July set the maximum property tax rate, or mill levy, at 33.986 mills. Most property owners will see tax increases because assessed valuations of properties increased about 5%.
Under commissioners’ approved maximum mill levy, the owner of a home with an assessed valuation of $200,000 would pay the city about $782 in property taxes in 2026. If that home’s assessed valuation increased 5% this year, property taxes due to the city would increase by about $39, to almost $821.
Commissioners will hold two public hearings: first on their plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate, which means property taxes will be increasing; and second on the proposed $431 million budget itself.
They will consider the budget for final approval during their Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting.
“The City Commission can still choose to lower the mill levy after this hearing and before the final adoption of the budget before October 1,” according to the agenda.
In other business:
• Downtown housing development appeal: Commissioners will also hear neighbors’ appeal of a staff decision to approve a site plan for a proposed development of 15 row houses at 700 New Hampshire St.
Read more about the project in the articles at this link; see the agenda item at this link.
• Lawrence Loop update: Commissioners will hear an update from staff about attempts to complete a segment of the Lawrence Loop from Michigan Street to Sandra Shaw Park.
The city attempted to purchase land to complete the segment but “Property acquisition was unsuccessful and the project is no longer tenable,” according to the agenda.
The city had budgeted $884,000 to acquire the property and for part of the construction costs out of the capital improvement sales tax fund. “Staff will evaluate alternate uses of these funds for projects within the CIP as appropriate,” according to the agenda.
Meeting info
The Lawrence City Commission will meet at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.
The commission accepts written public comment emailed to ccagendas@lawrenceks.org until noon the day of meetings. The commission also hears live public comment during meetings, both in person and virtually.
Attendees can join the meeting virtually via Zoom, which also allows participants to provide public comment. The Zoom link will be available in the meeting agenda at this link. Meeting recordings are uploaded to the city’s YouTube channel the next day.
See the commission’s complete meeting agenda at this link.
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