[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6650473,"mediaKeyId","2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40","parentId",2506691,"title","Commissioner Culberson urges state to allow counties to consider 1% income tax to reduce property tax burden","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",884000,"endMs",1166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40&start=884&end=1166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40/thumbnail_884000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650473/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commissioner-Culberson-urges-state-to-allow-counties-to-consider-1-income-tax-to-reduce-property-tax-burden","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650473-fb69206d0fa8b664b766bcc9109b2ea0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204406&Signature=Y6rmDTh4UeGMovOLJcruNkPXzGw882tFmeaamqG-fcsP~MmrTOfvLN3~hrYzEw7TM1UIZJ0ARgBEjRqrHofVm-9vQlXQ5wF3Ao4Lj23Ag45GWV1SLjB8T32z7v~MRD18XG3hX6eELxfCDFwjd6CwvT79bdx~V1kcNij-m5KtSzm~bh8MwjQsQ5ScjhKh-xXhG99K6PTQ6uhGNiSPmgVgQcV~swL42w~2mZRFJ4kSrbMPHdWPunH4wccyhOmlffZwdo2FX5WM-Exmc3E35GG9IHxEpUYxqJug-n4cyoKZt3iZYHVnfIfRUclqhb0HbO7wqTENmczRhtCKVGP5FOSsDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-03-05T20:34:25.607Z","article","Commissioner Jeff Culberson told the board he testified before the Kansas House/Senate taxation committee urging support for legislation (Senate Bill 108) that would allow counties to adopt a local income tax option in place of some property taxes.

Culberson said Leavenworth County’s tax base is skewed by large non‑taxable properties—specifically Fort Leavenworth and other exempt entities—and by thousands of nonresidents who work in the county but do not pay local property taxes despite using county roads and services. He described the current property tax burden as concentrated among roughly 33,000 residents and said an income tax option would spread the cost across a larger base.

“The Fort actually creates an economic obsolescence to the county budget,” Culberson said, noting the fort produces significant economic activity but does not contribute to county property tax revenues. He told colleagues that under some versions of the bill a 1% income tax could substantially reduce or eliminate county property taxes, but he acknowledged details vary among bill versions.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which income sources might be taxable, who would be taxed (nonresidents working in the county, residents, retirement income) and how much property tax would actually be replaced—questions Culberson said depend on the final bill language. He described the testimony as aimed at letting counties decide their local revenue structure.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the legislation but acknowledged the commissioner's testimony and discussed the policy implications in subsequent budget planning and capital needs conversations, including bridges and public services.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting for March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Jeff Culberson told state tax lawmakers and his fellow commissioners that Leavenworth County should be allowed to consider a local 1% income tax to relieve what he described as an unfair property tax burden concentrated on a small number of taxpayers.","taxTitle","Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650469,"At a glance: Leavenworth County commissioners approve routine items, grants applications and a $60,000 settlement",1757,1273000,3030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40&start=1273&end=3030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6650469/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/At-a-glance-Leavenworth-County-commissioners-approve-routine-items-grants-applications-and-a-60000-settlement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650469-9ce2106e623f5fc71e37cf40941bbc3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204406&Signature=j~2qeH5i4hRtuNW6Oc63yIszb7HvoJ~evC1YOG8uzApOZy9SYMhaT1ubxlq-fb9uGJZAxcZLt~7zeYVBw9QPfQ3HTosxrzZFAZQxOQ4hvEM6VXmn-YIjIiIJqqmOEUQmB0yOhh1NZgqtnXMLYs6yP1wFQ5H7usacArUEVCQoVrduYDdOZuRCGQ9CT1AQCeMheUQY25JD~k82eKGnXhxx5YH3b6AkL9qYcx17NvooWxJMWGX~fzqAF2buMGTfLax1KmN11Q0sWliNm2mk1U4BNaWvRB3CuXx458qgUz8RiDEyuNcEQWBxg7p4pP8xWQ9gLlZGbQgCqV-jie3vrR1Zsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners used their March meeting to approve a slate of routine and administrative items. Most motions passed on unanimous roll call votes from present members.

Key approvals and actions taken:
• Council on Aging MOU with The Deeper Window Association: Commissioners approved an updated memorandum of understanding to continue county‑provided transportation for Alzheimer’s and dementia respite program participants. Staff said the arrangement began in 2021, is fee‑for‑service and has expanded from two participants to as many as 16 who use the respite programming and county transport.

• Health department grant application: The board authorized the chair to sign the county’s annual Aid to Local (state) grant application for public health. Health department staff said the application requests approximately $610,209 for the fiscal year; final awards will be announced in late May or early June and are paid directly (no county match was described).

• Annual noxious weed eradication report and management plan: Commissioners approved the county’s 2025 eradication report and management plan, a state‑mandated filing that documents budget, staffing and treatment methods (mechanical and chemical) used by the county’s weed control program.

• Amended wellness incentive policy: The board approved an update to the county wellness program policy to allow retired employees to participate in the incentive program, effective March 1, 2025.

• Letter of support for Leavenworth Water Works and letter supporting speed reduction on US‑24/US‑40 near Basehor: Commissioners authorized letters supporting the Leavenworth Water Department and the City of Basehor’s request for a speed reduction along US‑24/US‑40; both motions were approved without recorded opposition.

• Vacation continuance: A board order to vacate a section of Broadway on Brown Road near Woodin Road was tabled and continued to March 19, 2025 for additional notice and outreach to affected property owners.

• Attachment petition for Rural Water District No. 6: The board approved an attachment petition for one parcel (referred to as P4 Ranch) to Rural Water District No. 6; staff said required notices and the water district’s consent had been received and no objections were filed.

• Settlement authorization: After an executive session limited to legal matters, the board authorized county counsel to proceed with a settlement agreement and a payment of $60,000 to Flyknit Weaver Construction (authorized by motion and roll call vote).

Votes were recorded in roll call form where shown in the meeting. Unless noted, motions were adopted with present commissioners voting aye and one commissioner absent.

","The Leavenworth County Commission approved several routine agreements and administrative items, authorized grant applications and a $60,000 settlement, and continued a property vacation to March 19, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650476,"Commission proclaims March Senior Nutrition Month; Meals on Wheels leaders report 26‑person wait list",384,269000,653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40&start=269&end=653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6650476/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commission-proclaims-March-Senior-Nutrition-Month-Meals-on-Wheels-leaders-report-26person-wait-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650476-d38a6fd16d32562edcc923f6866f305a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204406&Signature=Bei~MMKR6VPHymBn8BsqG0OR2YIDHpOy9GZ1iGRbQ2cw1Lt1Q8Yaaq~oqujkqTLnyPGWwJ4GeCYjczLqLmTIx-HBPwLR~U8--W3kJLMoEWnZahKx2cVWRZn6VJ8BewLv4OV5vGMGYLLy8sKjvp7VU9LpibOL2K9t95JKTRlGKpQsiJmYAUmoQ5tbL6dQ1RCXiDa-B-p9hukxPwzR9vcPpeKelLQ1b1wRupv392R4HTA9DhFn8j7TdNDA5v77w43B1T-qwcAmFEfy1F5VHi0ZZkptQVkUtKgZHIv~bdch6IG3GLRdc2U~7Clai7NvsHUyZWSDP8PqoK~2-0sBT~yx2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 2025 as a month celebrating senior nutrition programs, including the county’s Meals on Wheels program, and invited county officials and volunteers to participate in outreach and deliveries.

Representatives of the county’s Council on Aging told commissioners that the local Meals on Wheels program is on pace to deliver about 111,000 meals this year and currently has 26 people on a wait list. Volunteers said routes have grown and that the southern part of the county—especially around Tonganoxie and Basehor—has particular demand.

“We probably need another full time route that would open up the opportunity to put some of these people on [the program],” a Council on Aging representative said, describing rising demand and routes that are already large.

Program staff said they previously cleared a wait list of about 14 people after receiving a roughly $25,000 grant and that they have applied for similar local grants again this year. They asked commissioners to support volunteer recruitment and to continue monitoring federal funding, including reauthorization and full funding of the Older Americans Act nutrition programs.

Commissioners thanked volunteers and noted the social as well as nutritional value of the deliveries. The proclamation text recounted that the Older Americans Act was amended in 1972 to include a national nutrition program for people 60 and older and recognized the county Meals on Wheels program and its volunteers.

","The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Senior Nutrition Month and heard that the county Meals on Wheels program has 26 people on a wait list; volunteers and an earlier $25,000 grant to clear 14 people from the wait list were discussed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650479,"Leavenworth County accepts $1.09 million bid to replace Fairmount Road bridge; officials warn of widening backlog",991,1499000,2490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40&start=1499&end=2490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506691-f814a314a6733bec59283ce024a74f40/thumbnail_1499000.jpg","/articles/6650479/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-accepts-109-million-bid-to-replace-Fairmount-Road-bridge-officials-warn-of-widening-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650479-3fc6525f1e314b7dc966b4747f5bdd4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204406&Signature=A5hJAjZv24VEfR2yIoJ3hukjBGhq9vva~2g6gzrak2XenBo6enIpElZu-NLZGGrFyTy40AheNO3hgKG7~L0US-rAf9tu9gAOhKrh5JutKp7U7BhQAEJCdHYx9iTgVJuvKZgrP2xopsnEXHmx6idaM0AUBgue5gq7X5KA3elIX29DozDxb6xd2CAbY3cRgpl7e~ggABD6JGfjf1Y7kqv1dvBlnU6Nh802tymqTlA~4GtyOc-ap728Ufluef8TcTx~E60R4nYzZ6SdKhw2HiP4vXSsIf2O9acCzJDc0pYP1ea1MBCIaJ7WO81fUsTcmUbmkdVZndKyMlfODkCxBT4coQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners voted to accept the low bid from Brian Ohlmeyer Construction to replace Bridge ST‑26 on Fairmount Road, approving a contract worth approximately $1,094,319.45 plus a 5% contingency.

County public works staff told the board the structure—built in 1975—has a sufficiency rating of about 36%, is posted at a 12‑ton limit and shows ‘‘full section loss of some of the beams due to rust.’’ The project was designed by Finney & Turnipseed and is funded through the county’s special highway funds and the five‑year capital improvement plan.

The move followed a lengthy staff presentation on the limited number of bridge contractors bidding on county projects. Bill, the county public works representative, said only one contractor submitted a bid on ST‑26 and that several recent bridge lettings statewide have produced few bidders because firms are booked and material and labor prices remain volatile.

“This bridge has a condition rating of poor, it is structurally deficient…sufficiency rating of 36%, and it is currently posted at 12 tons,” Bill said, describing why replacement is necessary.

Commissioners also discussed a larger funding problem: county staff said Leavenworth County should be replacing about four bridges a year but currently is replacing far fewer, leaving an estimated 50–75 bridges at risk of reaching the end of useful life in coming years. Commissioners discussed establishing triage criteria for low‑traffic bridges that might be closed rather than replaced.

The motion to accept the bid passed on a roll call vote: Michael Smith, Jeff Culberson, Vanessa Reed and Willie Dove voted aye; one commissioner was absent.

The contract was awarded with a 5% contingency to cover potential change orders; staff said the county will continue to seek local subcontractors where possible and monitor the market for additional bids on future projects.

For now, the county plans to proceed with the ST‑26 replacement as designed and budgeted, while commissioners signaled they plan further discussion during the upcoming budget cycle about how to address the widening backlog of structurally deficient bridges.

","The Leavenworth County Commission voted to accept the low bid from Brian Ohlmeyer Construction to replace Bridge ST‑26 on Fairmount Road. County staff described the structure as structurally deficient and said a long backlog of aging bridges will force future closures unless funding changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner Culberson urges state to allow counties to consider 1% income tax to reduce property tax burden

At a glance: Leavenworth County commissioners approve routine items, grants applications and a $60,000 settlement

Commission proclaims March Senior Nutrition Month; Meals on Wheels leaders report 26‑person wait list

Leavenworth County accepts $1.09 million bid to replace Fairmount Road bridge; officials warn of widening backlog