Free State News is committed to amplifying the voices of our community.
At the August 20th Revenue Neutral Meeting, citizens from across the county weighed in.
Some in support, others in opposition. The first hour of public comment offered a balanced mix of perspectives, and we’ve transcribed highlights as accurately as possible. The full video is available with time stamps for those who wish to hear the remarks in context.
Our goal in publishing this summary is not to editorialize, but to reflect the diversity of thought among residents. Civic decisions deserve civic dialogue, and Free State News aims to foster that by making these voices accessible.
Highlights from the First Caller, while officially listed as caller #2, this speaker effectively became the first to engage substantively.
More voices followed, each adding nuance to the conversation.
Some praised the proposed budget for maintaining essential services. Others questioned priorities, process, and public engagement. What emerged was not consensus, but concern—and a shared desire for clarity.
Caller number 2 pointed out this statistic: “Nationally, Johnson County ranks in the 76th percentile for housing costs. “
Meaning, this claim states that Johnson County’s housing cost burden is in the 76th percentile, it is less affordable than 76% of U.S. counties (approximately 2,390 out of 3,144 counties). This implies a high housing cost burden, relative to income, compared to most counties.
Let’s analyze: National Context: Nationally, the median housing cost burden is around 20–25% of income for homeowners with mortgages, per U.S. Census data. Counties with high burdens (e.g., >30%) are often in high-cost areas like California, New York, or Florida. Johnson County’s estimated burden of 20–22% for median-income households is moderate, but higher for lower-income groups.
Caller #3 – People move to Johnson County, specifically Olathe to live in safe neighborhoods and good schools… by giving billions in tax incentives and star bonds abatement to the already wealthy, while residents of JoCo fill in the gaps does not serve the public. 3.5 billion dollars to Clark Hunt. This amount alone is the Johnson County Budget for two years. 2.7 million to Black and Veatch and Aspiria Campus.
Please note for the reader’s information – There is no direct evidence in the references provided or recent data confirming that Clark Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, has been personally awarded $3.5 billion in tax incentives or STAR bonds in Johnson County. However, the Hunt family is linked to a proposed entertainment complex in Olathe at 119th Street and Renner Boulevard, backed by Loretto, which received approval for a STAR bond district with a maximum of $65 million in STAR bonds from the Kansas Department of Commerce. This project includes an amusement park, a 5,000-seat multi-sport complex, and other developments, with an estimated $320 million total cost. Additional incentives include a 1% special sales tax through a Community Improvement District (CID) to generate up to $10 million and inclusion in an existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.
Black & Veatch and Aspiria Campus ($2.7 Million): The references do not explicitly mention a $2.7 million incentive to Black & Veatch or the Aspiria Campus in Johnson County. Black & Veatch, a global engineering firm headquartered in Overland Park, has historically received incentives in the region, but no recent data confirms a specific $2.7 million allocation tied to the Aspiria Campus (likely referring to the Aspiria campus, formerly the Sprint campus). However, a related case involves Fiserv, a Fortune 500 company, which sought a 40% property tax rebate over 10 years for leasing two buildings at the Aspiria Campus, with a projected $125 million capital investment and 2,000 jobs by 2030. This rebate could offset $1.3 million in city property taxes over a decade, but it’s not directly tied to Black & Veatch or a $2.7 million figure. The lack of specific evidence for the $2.7 million claim suggests it may stem from unverified sources or conflation with other projects.
Public Impact: The Overland Park City Council unanimously approved the TIF district on July 7, 2025, to support the project, which is expected to generate economic growth through new housing and jobs.
Public comments: Michael Garrett – (24:28) I am really glad other people do not like taxes. I stand before you today, not as a supplicant begging for mercy from the government, but as a free human challenging the tyranny of unchecked taxation. They propose raising taxes on our personnel property to plug holes and bloated budget. I say no. Taxation is theft, plain and simple. It is the immoral seizure of what we have earned through sweat, labor, and sacrifice; funneled into the coffers of the bureaucrats. We are literally renting our property from the government in this current system. Is this freedom? The county budget has increased 57% since 2019, this trajectory is not sustainable. When do we seek to reduce budgets and lower taxes? In 2020, governments including ours, halted activity for public health, shuttering businesses and ruining livelihoods. The unelected Federal Reserve responded by cutting interest rates. And flooding the market with cheap M2 money supply. Housing prices did not rise, they skyrocketed. Driven by government intervention, not by free market forces, creating housing bubbles and widespread inflation. Kansas law property taxes mandates on “Fair Market Value” (he has air quotes) How is this a Fair Market? Property values are distorted by the Fed’s rate cuts, stimulus, zoning laws, regulations and economic shutdowns. These policies warp supply and demand and devalue the dollar. Property values are not fair, they are fabricated. Kansas has no moral or logical basis to tax property based on this illusion. Dare I say the State of Kansas must prove to us that fair markets even exist. This is Mafia’s exhortation not valuation. I pay my taxes to only avoid the States guns in my face and imprisonment. Noncompliance invites armed government aggression at my doorsteps. I vehemently oppose further funding this fiscal irresponsibility. I do not want the bath of theft any longer. Fellow Johnson Countians, please reject this budget and tax hike. Cut the waste, shrink the government. We cannot fix this through the ballot box alone, we must engage. Freedom isn’t free. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance and bold defiance. Things look bleak for America. We do not act like free people but weak suckling’s on the teat of their mother. If we can see past the differences and unionize as a people and recognize as a people for these games to stop. We do not have to accept any more exhortation on our wallets. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Mary Callhoon and Katie Hoffman (27:36)– She is part of the PSA 11 – Silver haired group. We are interested in property tax relief and with me is Katie Hoffman, President of the Silver Hair Legislator, we advocate for the budget for Seniors. We are supportive of the budget. I think we are going to need more and more, and any increase we can get is wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity.
Dr. Marvin Singleton (29:16) – I am a member of the county commission of aging. And an elected delegate to the Silver Hair Legislature. I am speaking on behalf of myself. And as an aging Kansan. There are 7% of our citizens between 70-79, That is 44,000 of our citizens. And 4% greater than age 80, which makes over 25,000 of our residence in Johnson County. I want to thank the commission for the continued support for the department of aging and human services for providing continuous service to the elderly, especially to the ones that are homeless. Those issues you have supported so well, and we want to thank you for your support.
Cindy Green (30:40) – Chair of Johnson County Commission on Aging over the age of 60, and I am here to support the budget for Dept of Aging and Human Services. We represent over 130,000 residents and over 60 in Johnson County. It is estimated by 2030 there will be more over the age of 60 than those under the age of 18. It’s important to fund and provided services to our Seniors to allow them to remain in their homes for as long as possible, and to make it, which is much more affordable than to move to a Senior care facility. 85% of your respondents to the 2025 JoCo survey support the systems for their aging population and their families. Since 2020, the number of functional assessments that the department has completed has increased by 46%. By continuing funding for utility assistance and in home services. This allows the clients to remain in their homes with their independence and dignity. The Senior population will continue to, and we will need this critical funding to meet their needs. Thank you for your continued support of older adults in Johnson County.
Ben Hobart (32:40)– (this speaker was the only one to receive a standing ovation.)
CHAIRMAN KELLY AND COMMISSIONERS:
AT PAGE 14 OF YOUR BUDGET PRESENTATION, IT IS STATED: “THE COUNTY’S FIVE-YEAR FORECAST IS NOT SUSTAINABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR EXISTING SERVICE LEVELS FOR OUR RESIDENTS. WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE TOUGH DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE ABOUT GENERATING MORE REVENUE, USING MORE RESERVES, REDUCING OR ELIMINATING PROGRAMS OR SERVICES OR A COMBINATION OF ALL THESE TOOLS.”
WHY DOESN’T THAT STATEMENT MAKE ANY REFERENCE TO CONTROLLING COSTS WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICES? THE BOOGEYMAN OF CUTTING SERVICES IS FALSE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ELIMINATE YOUR WASTEFUL SPENDING.
YOUR HEALTH SERVICES BUILDING $5.5 MILLION TOILET TRAVESTY SHOULD BE ELIMINATED BECAUSE IT HAS A MORE THAN 300 YEAR PAYBACK PERIOD.
SECOND, YOUR COMPENSATION POOL SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 3% RATHER THAN 4% PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT YOU SKEW INCREASES TO THOSE ALREADY RECEIVING VERY HEALTHY COMPENSATION PACKAGES.
NOTE THE OVER 10% WAGE INCREASES FOR SOME OF THE HIGHEST EARNERS WITH COMPENSATION, BEFORE BENEFITS, IN EXCESS OF $200,000 IN RECENT YEARS.
THIRD, STOP SHIFTING FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS AMONG DEPARTMENTS. THE PRESENTATION INCLUDES ALMOST 53 NEW FULL TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES. SEE PAGE 11. THE OUT-OF-CONTROL INCREASE IN FULL TIME EMPLOYEES IS DISTRESSING. HERE’S CHARTS OF 5 YEAR PERIODS. FOR 2010-2015 THERE WAS ACTUALLY A DECREASE OF 1.2% PER ANNUM. FOR 2015 TO 2020 THE INCREASE WAS ONLY 1.08% PER ANNUM. FOR 2021- 2026 THE INCREASE IS 1. 55% PER ANNUM. FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN 215 NEW EMPLOYEES OR A 5.14% INCREASE WHILE THE POPULATION HAS ONLY INCREASED BY 1%. WHEN YOU FIND OPERATIONS ARE OK WITHOUT FILLING A VACANCY DON’T USE THAT AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR INCREASING FTE’S IN ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. I NOTE THE DISCUSSION ON PAGE 10 WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THIS PRACTICE. THE INCREASE IN EMPLOYEES DEMONSTRATE THAT THE JOHNSON COUNTY BUREAUCRACY IS OUT OF CONTROL.
THIS BOARD GAVE AWAY $20 MILLION TO EVERGREEN LIVING INNOVATIONS IN A SWEETHEART EARLY TERMINATION DEAL WHICH, IN MY OPINION, WAS AN EGREGIOUS BREACH OF YOUR FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS TO CITIZENS. THOSE DOLLARS WERE STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS WHICH WERE INTENDED TO FILL BUDGET HOLES, NOT ENRICH PRIVATE PARTIES.
FINALLY, STOP THE CONTINUATION OF TAXES WHEN THE PURPOSE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE COURTHOUSE TAX RENEWAL WOULD CREATE A $255 MILLION SLUSH FUND WHICH WAS FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. AND NOW, THIS BOARD WANTS IT TO FEED THE BLOAT OF THIS BUREAUCRACY.
THE COURTHOUSE COST $182 MILLION, THERE WAS $43 MILLION OF INTEREST ON BONDS, $21 MILLION FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S FACILITY, AND $11 MILLION COMMITTED FOR THE NEW PARKING RAMP. ALL OF THOSE CAPITAL ITEMS ARE COMPLETED OR FUNDED. THE TAX HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE.
A MAJORITY OF THIS BOARD AND THE COUNTY MANAGER ARE OUT OF CONTROL AND HAVE NO FISCAL DISCIPLINE WHATSOEVER.
Scott (36:09. Written giving his highlights). I bought a house in 2020; I gutted my house and rebuilt it and had a cadre of people over the next two years help me with this project. But that 1,000-dollar bill coming up twice a year I often would forget about. Finally, I took the time to go through and look at my property tax. The past two years, my house has been compared to a house twice the size of mine. The four comps, from the cheapest house to the most expensive, is 110,000 dollars. You have said my house is worth 170,000 dollars. That is 110,000 dollars between the lowest compared to the most expensive, is a little crazy. I won my appeal last year. Despite being given completely incorrect information at the county appraiser’s office. I did not get a single piece of correct information to get ready for my appeal. Those people need to be retrained or get on top of your system. This year the same thing, using the evidence YOU generated. My property should have gone down and instead it went up 10%. So, your system is completely arbitrary, predatory, unequal, and clearly punitive, because I won last year. I agree with what that guy said in the black shirt, taxation is theft. Keep in mind you are giving tax breaks to Coca Cola and Panasonic. The new people that move into the county pay the property taxes, tax on vehicles, sales taxes, etc. that the corporation did not have to pay you. It’s not a tax benefit for the corporations; it’s just another tax on us. Someone needs to do the math. What happens when my generation cannot afford to live here? There are more people who fall into that category than my generation that owns property, because you have priced it out of existence.
Shanta Dickerson (39.34)– I serve as the Executive Director of the Friends of Johnson County Library. It is a cornerstone to our community and provides an opportunity for learning connection for every resident. These services are possibly only with strong and consistent funding. 70 years ago, our founders petitioned for a public library system. Because they knew it was essential for a thriving community. Friends today are advocating for the resources needed to meet the high expectations and frankly the demands of our residents. Every year a network of our volunteers of 1200 dues paying members contribute 20,000 hours of time and talent to our Libraries’ mission. They provide access to ideals, information, experiences and material that enriches our residents’ lives. On behalf of the Friends, we encourage you to continue to fund the Friends of the Library, because it keeps our community strong.
Dr. James Lukus (41:6) – First comment on the budget. There are so many new business and homes being added every month, and this city (county) is 630,000 people and I think the current budget should be more than can meet the needs if managed properly. I managed about 250 million in projects back in the day. Our projects are not being managed properly. It is simply not reasonable for our county to request a 12% increase OVER THE BUDGET for property taxes when U.S. inflation rate is July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, was 2.7%. The 2025 proposal tax exceeding 2024 tax for Johnson County is an increase of 12.71%. The money to pay for this outrageous increase has to come from some other source of income. Why? Because property tax is a tax on unrealized gain. But our payment is in real dollars. Another word, the alleged increase in property value is a mythical number. Which the old homeowner can’t pay the higher taxes unless he sells his home. The reality, especially for Seniors the increase in Social Security in 2025, was only 2.5% You don’t need 20 hours of college calculus like I do, to see that it’s a 12% increase in all the government agencies not just in Johnson County of 11.562%. Even for wage earners the wages only went up 3.9% FROM July 2024 to June 2025. So, in a world where homeowners have an increased income of 2-½ to 3.9%. How can our government, on all levels, possibly and morally justify increasing the taxes on the unrealized gain or imagery gain on our property value with 6.52%. We are taxed when we buy the home and then without doing anything we simply are taxed every year for owning the home. The Ad Valorem, which is Latin for “To the value tax”, is annually determined by an arbitrarily made-up assessment by a bureaucrat looking at various properties in the same area as yours and no value of what is actually happening with the properties, then ratcheting up the value of your home based on this cursory superficial assessment. If you add or do this dubious math to our mill levy, which is arbitrary multiplier, blah, blah, blah alleged assessed value, we end up with a “Here’s what you owe” plus this year number. IF property values ever take a downturn, then the mill levy multiplier can take an increase to the actual property taxes don’t go down and you can even increase them with the mill levy. All because the government can’t figure out how to live within a budget. Be frugal, not spend our money and not managing projects well. The disastrous 50% concrete costs, part of that if you watch the construction going on the concrete coming out and the water pouring out, that is destroying the concrete.
True, more water weakens concrete.
Jay Moyer- (44.59) – I sit on the county’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition and also, I sit on the Friends of the Library with Shanta. I did not write down remarks, because I have been trying to think about what does Johnson County mean to me. I was born and raised here and lived here my entire life, except for a small time when I went to college. I get confused when people talk about mismanagement projects and I really feel for people who say costs are rising and they are. I work two jobs, and I rent in JoCo. When I look at the money in property taxes, some of those rates are what I annually pay in my rent for a month. Clearly, it’s expensive to live here. I think about the almost 700,000 residents who live here and I share my community. How nice of a place it is. I don’t have to worry about potholes. (He is grateful, he does not walk into libraries that do not have resources) I need. I believe in the services you (JoCo) provide. I am glad we are here for the Seniors, our aging population. I am glad that someone will show up in less than to minutes (if 9/11 is called). I am a Johnson Countian that believes in what you are doing here and I believe in the services that you all are providing. We heard this from the Senior group that came and spoke. I have friends that have moved here from Kansas City, Missouri because of the schools, because the schools in KCMO, are not as good as they are in JoCo. Because we commit to investing in them. Johnson County Community College is a great resource. I have friends in Wyandotte County that do not even drink water out of their tap, because they do not have the resources and funding to make sure there is clean water. I support this budget.
(700,000 is a gross over statement for the population of Johnson County)
GVH – (48:07)
Chairman & Commissioners, this is a Budget Hearing meeting and maybe a LISTENING meeting although it would be rare!
You are planning a 6% property tax increase and yet inflation is about 3%. Why are you increasing our property taxes at double the amount of inflation? Especially when you have 500 million in cash reserves! You are spending our hard-earned dollars when you have nearly half of the 2026 budget – BANKED! Why not spend some of OUR “BANKED DOLLARS?” What you are telling us is: we, hardworking constituents, must pay higher taxes so you can hold onto your bloated cash hoard…while our accounts diminish to the extent we question if we can continue to live in our homes. Affordable housing is one of your “buzz” words – YOU are the ones making “affordable housing” a serious threat. Yes, you say County taxes are only a small portion of my property tax – However, when I add my tax amounts for the County, Library, and Parks – it is nearly 25% of my total property tax bill. Further, you want to be considered leaders of Johnson County – You should lead by staying at the Revenue Neutral Rate as a maximum AND to be true leaders your budget should come in BELOW the Revenue Neutral Rate!
Since 2016 to 2025 – 10 years, my APPRAISED home value has increased 105%! I am horrified to think of all the years I have paid taxes on the unrealized gain of your appraisals. Every year I have to reduce my budget so that you can spend untold dollars on Industrial Revenue Bonds and various Tax Incentives. If Johnson County is such a GREAT place, all your incentives should not be required.
It is important for YOU to know there is no magic money machine in our backyards or basements. Every dollar that YOU spend comes out of OUR pockets. Every dollar YOU give to someone has to first be taken away from someone else. It should be YOUR moral duty to make sure that you justify spending every constituent tax dollar — spending them wisely with a HIGH degree of integrity and transparency and judiciously! Chairman, as a reminder, on July 24 you indicated that anyone who did NOT agree with you was an extremist. Further you stated: “extremists are forcing property taxes to increase.” When you and the commissioners vote for this tax increase.
Cassie Woolworth – (51:46) I want to say I am on J’s page. Johnson County has consistently been recognized by a wide spectrum for digital innovation, public safety, to cultural excellence and health leadership these awards underscore the counties commitment desiring to point out the excellence of Johnson County. With numerous awards to outstanding governments. I like the library, it’s one of my favorite things, I love the fire department, happy, happy, joy, joy when they need to show up, right? Police, solid plan. You guys (BOCC) re-allocated 635 million in Federal Funds for affordable housing and homeless projects. 2.47 million for new 50 plus homes developed by habit for humanity. 3.1 million to create affordable multi-family housing for individuals with disabilities. You funded the Salvation Army Shelter. We funded 175,000 for funding systems invested by the United Community Service. You guys are trying, we did not get the hotel, sad. The state people did not do their job, we sent people to the State, to Topeka to reduce our property taxes. We’ve been talking about this for years. This is not a surprise. They did nothing but beat up on trans kids. That’s what we came away with, now everybody is hurting. Orange guy in office is making it horrible with tariffs. I know I had to put up a wooden fence, it went from 6,000 to 11,000 because the wood got more expensive. Because you can’t get any from Canada. It is tight everywhere, everywhere! And people are not going to like when it comes Christmas (laughs) I am proud of Johnson County. I moved here for the schools, I moved here for public services, I moved here for the disability benefits, and bonuses. I am thrilled we take care of our disabled and I am thrilled we take care of our aged and I am thrilled we take care of our multi-cultural roots. I know property taxes suck, but I say, we can do better well than get elected. I like getting excellence in Public Service Awards. And Johnson County Museum was recognized with several red lined. I like Johnson County and I tell people to move here all the time. Yeah, I think the taxes suck, but I think we can fix it.
PB – (54.48) – Ronald Reagan addressed the people of the United States about government spending, on April 24, 1985. Even though his words were 40 years ago about the entire nation. They are even more relevant now in Johnson County. Here is what he said word for word, “No matter how hard you work, no matter how strong this economy grows, no matter how much more tax money comes to Washington (In this case Johnson County) It won’t amount to a hill of beans if government won’t curb its endless appetite to spend. Ya know sometimes the big spenders in Congress (In this case the Board of County Commissioners) talk as if all that money they spend just magically appears on their doorstep. (Ronald Reagan also paraphrased Ms. VH) There is no magic money machine. Every dollar the government spends comes out of your pocket. Meaning, the people in this room. Every dollar that someone spends in this room has to be taken from someone else. Our moral duty (Mr. Reagan speaking as a public official) is to make sure we can justify every one of your tax dollars. That we spend them wisely, carefully and just as important fairly. Surely, there is no faster way to see our prosperity vanish than to yoke the decent hardworking tax paying citizens of this great nation (or in this case, once great county) to an automatic spending machine in Washington D.C. (or in this case Olathe) The government should tax to the government’s needs not the government’s wants. My fellow citizens, the time for government to make the same hard choices as your families and businesses do. The time has come for your public servants to bring spending down. To paraphrase another comment by President Reagan. Johnson County does not have a revenue problem; Johnson County has a spending problem. So, commissioners please take these words to heart. Vote no tonight on this property tax increase. Thank you! (Reagan budget reduction speech 4/24/85 https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/address-nation-federal-budget-and-deficit-reduction)
Robyn Cressin- (58:05) We all have to live within our budget, so should our county. We are not a tax-friendly state. We are listed as one of the non-tax friendly states. I know young people are moving out of the State to a tax-friendly state. Why can’t we make Kansas a tax friendly state. I am skipping much because it’s already been said. I spoke two years ago, and they did not listen, except Commissioner Ashcraft. What we need to do is vote. We can vote them out! We need to put people in that represent the people.
Erin George – (59.29) As Chair of the Johnson County Mental Health. We would like to express our gratitude to you, Board of County Commissioners, for your ongoing support of the Mental Health Center. The staff along with the individuals and families it serves. We always appreciate the role that you play in seeing the growing need of behavioral health here in Johnson County. 91% of Johnson County residents recognize that access to Health care is a key driver to quality of life. Johnson County Mental Health is committed to providing a valuable implement of mental health care across our community. We have expanded services without increasing the tax burdens. JoCo Mental Health after long hard work, received the certified community behavior health clinic accreditation, which is increased access to Medicaid funding. Other areas have been able to grow because of the partnerships with other cities, school districts and grants approvals….with your continued support we can bring in strong crisis services and these prevention efforts and bring access to these services. Again, I want to thank you on behalf of the whole advisory board and express our appreciation and a trusted partner, while building a healthier and more resilient Johnson County.
Bob Hobart – (1:01:21) I am retired, and I do volunteer for a Johnson County agency, and I do spend about four days a week at that agency. I am going to refer to comments about people that have sat on the board, or other boards in Johnson County. Comments I have heard about the board (sitting before him) I am not talking about anyone individual, here. “They are telling me you cannot be trusted. You are too liberal.” There are six Democrats and one Republican and that is not diversity. So, why are you trying to change the districts? Is that to get rid of another commissioner? So that you can have 7 Democrats? That’s the comments that have been made to me. The other comment was the 23% pay increase you took, after the last election. TOO HIGH, YOU ARE PART TIME. You need to reduce your salaries or your compensation or work 45 to 50 hours a week or full time and get rid of anything else you do. Then you tried to fool the residents by saying the ¼ increase or tax is a continuation. The A.G. of Kansas stopped that, it’s illegal and now put it on an election in April. You have to justify that ¼ to 1 percent. Maybe it’s 1/8th to 1 percent. I don’t know, but you have to justify it to the residents. And spending 71,000 dollars to re-district, you can do that yourself. As I understand it the consultant that you hired is a big liberal Democratic harden consultant. The population of Johnson County is not growing the way people think it is. The last 15 years, since 2010. 1.1 percent. That is not growth. So, you do not need all this money. I was in the military; I worked strictly with civilians. I could have cut 5 to 10 % of them out and not lost any efficiency. That is where you need to look in your own organization. Okay, in summary, I am not a Republican, and I am not a Democrat. I have voted both ways, I am giving you these comments from what I am hearing outside. I hope you take this and the other comments to heart and listen to them.
We hope these comments in the first half of the meeting before the break has given the reader a meaningful sense of the perspectives shared by citizens during the Revenue Neutral Meeting.
Free State News remains committed to ensuring the People are heard.
The remarks outlined here reflect, to the best of our ability, what was said—capturing a broad and representative snapshot of the concerns and insights voiced.
These comments brought the room of over 200 attendees to a ten-minute break, marking a natural pause in a deeply engaged public conversation.