Commissioners Call for More Transparency From Rural Fire Districts on Tax Increases

The Saline County Commission approved the notification and publication for five of the county's seven rural fire districts to exceed their revenue neutral rates, setting hearings for September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m.

County Administrator Matt Stiles said the districts affected are Rural Fire District 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7. He noted that because of how valuations shift, some districts may exceed the revenue neutral rate without actually levying more dollars.

Commissioner Hay pushed for greater transparency, saying he wanted to see the districts' budgets and explanations for why they are exceeding the revenue neutral rate. "We're transparent with our budget... so I think they need to be transparent with their budget so we can see it," he said.

Officials discussed having representatives from the fire districts present their budgets at a future meeting, possibly an evening or special session given that many district members have full-time jobs and are dealing with harvest season. Staff confirmed the commission retains flexibility to reduce the amounts later even after approving the publication.