A proposed property tax increase may be less than expected for Caney Residents.

 

A packed crowd filled the meeting room at Monday night's Caney City Council Meeting after a discussion to increase the upcoming 2027 budget by 22 mills was apparently placed in error as an action item on the agenda.

 

A change to the agenda moves the discussion to a workshop following the regular council meeting. During the workshop, Caney Mayor Joshua Elliott says current projections show this year's budget could fall approximately $215,000 short of covering salaries if current trends continue. The projected shortfall prompts a discussion among council members about the factors contributing to the deficit.

 

Council members agreed that there needs to be a breakdown of all salaries from each department to find out where the discrepancy is coming from. Council members also agreed that a 22 mill increase would not be asked of Caney residents. Instead, an increase of 10 mil will be voted on Wednesday night at 6:30 at the council chambers.

 

If approved, the increase has to be sent to the county to exceed the revenue-neutral rate. If passed, the city of Caney would not be able to exceed revenue neutral by more than 10 mills.

 

A mill levy is the property tax rate applied to a property’s assessed value. It is expressed in "mills," where one mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.