Merriam homeowners will pay about $70 more in city property taxes in 2027, even though the mill levy isn't going up.
The Merriam City Council voted unanimously on Monday, Aug. 24, to adopt a $34 million operating budget for 2027 and hold the mill levy at 26.406 mills, the same rate as 2026. But rising property appraisals, up 6.9% on average, will push tax bills higher.
The average home in Merriam is valued at $332,822, according to the Johnson County Post. At that value, a typical homeowner will owe about $1,010 in city property taxes in 2027, up from roughly $940 in 2026.
Three residents spoke against the increase at the Aug. 24 public hearing. Billy Croan of Wedd Street said the council was raising taxes even though the message was that taxes were not being raised. Jean Stevens of West 49th Place said her property taxes had risen for four straight years, forcing some residents on fixed incomes to skip home maintenance. Steven Allen of Farley Street questioned why capital spending and reserves had climbed so high.
The council approved the budget with all nine members voting yes. Mayor Bob Pape presided.
Councilmember Whitney Yadrich made the motion to adopt the budget, and Councilmember Jacob Laha seconded it.
Why the city exceeded the revenue neutral rate
Finance Director Meagan Borth told the council that two one-time revenue losses forced the city to exceed Kansas' Revenue Neutral Rate, which is the rate that would generate the same property tax revenue as the prior year.
"These are one-off situations that occurred this year and directly effected the City's ability to maintain the Revenue Neutral Rate," Borth said at the Aug. 24 hearing, citing the expiration of a courthouse tax and a hotel that had not paid its transient guest and property taxes for several years.
Councilmember Yadrich moved to approve exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate. Councilmember Staci Chivetta seconded, and the vote was unanimous, according to city meeting minutes.
Where the money goes
The $34 million operating budget splits mainly between personnel services at $13.9 million and contractual services at $15.9 million. On top of that, the city budgeted $18.2 million in capital projects, including a Merriam Drive road improvement from 55th Street to Antioch Road, bridge work and an Antioch Road study.
On the revenue side, the city projects $26.7 million in general fund income for 2027. City and county sales taxes make up the largest share at $14.6 million. Property taxes account for $6.9 million, the second-largest source.
Sales tax revenue leans heavily on shoppers from outside the city. The city reported in a July 2026 publication that about 83% of its general fund sales tax revenue, roughly $8.9 million in 2025, came from non-residents. The same publication noted Merriam's mill levy ranks seventh-lowest among more than 600 Kansas cities, and the city has held a AAA bond rating since 2018.
Merriam is one of several taxing jurisdictions on a homeowner's bill, alongside Johnson County and the local school district. The 2027 budget takes effect Jan. 1. Residents with questions can contact Merriam City Hall at 9001 W. 62nd St.
