Seward County approves 13-mill property tax increase, residents push back with petitions

LIBERAL, Kan. (KAKE) — Seward County commissioners narrowly approved a 13.384 property tax increase last week, raising the county’s total levy to nearly 60 mills.

Leaders say the move is necessary to cover county expenses and prepare for a possible multi-million dollar payout in an ongoing legal battle with Conestoga Energy, which is challenging how its ethanol plant was appraised. But the increase is sparking frustration among many residents, who argue the higher taxes are too much for families to bear.