As Montgomery County continues efforts to complete its 2026 budget, taxpayers are feeling the burden of property taxes.

 

At this week’s county commissioner meeting, one citizen addressed the issue with the commissioners. The man noted that the recent publishing of unpaid property taxes in Montgomery County listed nearly 4,000 parcels owing more than $3 million. The man says there is one word to describe the state of property taxes in Montgomery County: That word is oppressive.

 

Commissioner Robert Bever says there are a lot of reasons why people end up on that list, including that some people simply forget to pay. The county must also balance the services it provides with the taxes it takes in. He says not all of the county’s expenditures are optional.

 

A recent move by the State Legislature to eliminate property taxes on watercraft, ATVs, and trailers has removed another $350,000 from county coffers. Bever says it’s left the commission looking for more ways to cut the budget.

 

[The man says he and other taxpayers realize the county is in a difficult situation.

 

No action was taken regarding the budget or property taxes at this week's meeting as commissioners continue to work through the budget process. In other business, a bid was approved to purchase pipe for the repair of the intersection of South Buckeye Street and James School Road south of Coffeyville.