The Montgomery County Commission hears from the public on the proposed 2025 county budget.

 

 The commission held their regular meeting at a special time last night to allow Montgomery county citizens to attend the public comment session on the proposed budget.

 

 Commissioner Robert Bever says the meeting time was changed to give citizens the chance to input.

 

County Financial Officer Fred Gress says the budget work began in May. County officials have spent the last few months looking for ways to remain revenue neutral, which Montgomery County has managed to do. However, Gress says there are things in the budget the county can't control such as legal services.

 

County Appraiser Melody Kikkert acknowledged that taxes are lower in Oklahoma. But, Kikkert says, that extra tax money in Kansas goes to things that are important to residents.

 

The public comment portion of the meeting lasted nearly an hour, with many citizens voicing their anger at the elected officials on hand, those from other taxing entities in Montgomery County, and, sometimes, at each other.

 

The final budget hearing for the 2025 budget will happen next Monday at the regular County Commission meeting time of 9am. The meeting will be held in the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence and the public is invited to attend.