Overland Park’s 2026 proposed budget says it contains a 6.6% spending increase, but the real change is much higher and will result in more than a 500% increase since 1997.
Like many local government bodies, Overland Park compares its proposed budget to the prior budget rather than to actual spending to obscure the real increase. For example, the General Fund budget is allegedly a 6% increase, but the real number that is driving the claim for a property tax hike is 13%.
The 15% increase in Finance & Administration is absurd. Parks & Recreation Administration has a 20% increase, and that doesn’t count a 17% increase for the Arboretum.
The proposed property tax increase is about $5 million. City Council could remove that amount from the General Fund spending plan and still have a 10% spending increase without raising property taxes…