At the Sept. 3 Olathe City Council meeting, the 2025 budget was approved with a 4-2 vote. The 2025-29 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was approved with a 5-1 vote and the Fee Schedule was approved with a 4-2 vote from the Governing Body. The adopted budget exceeds revenue neutral because the City’s assessed valuation increased with new commercial and residential construction and growth in individual property values.

The City of Olathe remains dedicated to serving its growing population with unparalleled service and maintaining focus on resident priorities.

“The Olathe City Council approved the 2025 budget which ensures clear direction to our staff to continue the level of exceptional services to our community,"Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes said. "Resident priorities such as support of our public safety and first responders, investment in Olathe’s quality of life with award-winning parks and trails, and ease of travel are well represented. Our City staff is dedicated to nation-leading levels of customer satisfaction while maintaining the second-lowest property tax mill rate in Kansas.”

The 2025 budget focuses on citizen priorities with 75% of the budget allocated to public safety and transportation while maintaining an AA+ bond rating allowing for financial flexibility. There are 17 full-time employees proposed in the Olathe Police and Olathe Fire Departments and funding for the opening of a new Fire Station No. 9 in north-central Olathe which will aid in peak call time response.

Last fall, a property tax rebate program was established for income-qualified residents. For 2025, the Olathe City Council will add Veterans into the rebate eligibility. Visit OlatheKS.gov/TaxRebate for more information on the property tax rebate program.

Continuing to invest in citizen priorities, a focus on traffic flow and congestion with key CIP projects include investment in 119th Street, Woodland to Northgate; funding for improvements to Santa Fe Street, Ridgeview to Mur-Len; improvements to Black Bob Road from 153rd Terrace to 159th Street; Fire Station No. 1 replacement; City Hall parking garage, and new police firing range.

Olathe residents value recreational opportunities and as such, the CIP includes ensuring pedestrian connectivity and support of quality park amenities, and a new animal shelter.

Olathe is the only full-service city in Johnson County and boasts the second lowest mill levy in the State of Kansas. Annual assets maintained include 1,382 lane miles of streets, 1,992 acres of parks, 79 miles of trails, 12,877 streetlights, 43,513 homes serviced for solid waste collection, 633 miles of waterlines maintained, and 383 miles of storm pipe maintained. The 2025 budget ensures adequate funding to support City of Olathe infrastructure and assets.

Visit OlatheKS.gov/Budget for budget information, CIP and Fee Schedule information, documents, and timelines.