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1. Why are my taxes so high?

If you are concerned about the amount of your tax bill but feel the value of your property is accurate, please contact your city council, school board, county commissioner or any other taxing authority that create budgets and set mill levies. The mill levy directly affects the amount of your property tax.

2. What is meant by “fair market value”?

Fair market value means the amount, in terms of money, that a well-informed buyer is willing to pay and a well-informed seller is willing to accept for the property in an open and competitive market, assuming that the parties are acting without undue compulsion.

3. What is the mill levy and how is it set?

The mill levy is the tax rate that is applied to the assess value. In general terms, the mill levy is determined by the diving the dollars need for local services by the taxable assessed value in the service area.

4. Will the value of my property change every year?

The value of your property may change each year; it is all dependent on market conditions, improvements to your property, etc. The County Appraiser continually updated sale prices and other information on properties throughout the entire county.

5. How does the county’s appraisal affect my taxes?

If your property value goes up, it does not necessarily mean you will pay more taxes. Likewise, if your property value goes down or does not change, it does not automatically mean you will pay less or the same amount of taxes. Changes in property taxes are based in large part on how much your local government decides to spend on services each year.

6. How do I calculate the property taxes on my property?

1. Looking at your notice of value, find the "appraised value" of your property. Multiply the appraised value by the "assessment percentage" for your property.
   • [Appraised Value] times [Assessment Percentage] equals [Assessed Value]
2. Multiply the assessed value by your "mill levy" and then divide by 1,000 to estimate the property tax you owe.
   • [Assessed Value] times [Mill Levy] divided by 1,000 equals [Tax Bill]

Contact the County Clerk to find out your mil levy.

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1. Should I appeal my valuation?

If you believe the appraised value of your property is more than you would reasonably receive if you were to sell that property you should consider an appeal.

2. How do I file an appeal?

Options

You have two options to appeal your property’s value.

1. Appealing the Valuation Notice
2. Payment Under Protest

Instructions of the appeal process can be found on the back of the Valuation Notice you received in the mail.

By law, you must file your appeal 30 days subsequent to the date of the mailing of the valuation notice (KSA 79-1448).

Appealing the Valuation Notice

The first opportunity you have to appeal your property value is when you receive your Valuation Notice in March. You can appeal your notice by contacting the County Appraiser’s Office. The appeal process begins with an informal meeting with the County Appraiser’s Office. At this meeting, the County Appraiser will provide you with the documentation they used in support of the value they set for your property. This is your opportunity to provide the appraiser with documentation and an explanation of why you believe the value is inaccurate.

Payment Under Protest

The second option if you believe your property value is too high is to complete the Payment Under Protest form (PDF) with the County Treasurer at the time you receive your tax statement. Again, the appeal process begins with an informal meeting with the County Appraiser’s Office. At this meeting, the County Appraiser will provide you with the documentation they used in support of the value they set for your property. This is your opportunity to provide the appraiser with documentation and an explanation of why you believe the value is inaccurate.

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1. Why appraise a property?

An appraisal is the method established by the Kansas statute to determine a property owner’s share of taxes that support schools, roads, health and human services, parks, police and fire.

2. How is an appraisal determined?

The county appraiser is required to visit your property at least once every six years. First, the appraiser will attempt to interview the property owner. Then an exterior inspection is completed. The appraiser will look for changes such as additions, deck constructions, verify dimensions, check for structural damage and determine the property’s general condition. Next, the appraiser uses computer-generated data to analyze the property characteristics. Sales data is also reviewed and analyzed.

3. What is a Valuation Notice?

The 1st of March each year, the county appraiser mails Valuation Notices to each owner of real estate in the county. This letter provides the current and previous two-year history of your property’s valuation.

4. What if I believe my appraisal is too high?

If you believe your appraisal is inaccurate you have the opportunity to appeal the value. Instructions of the appeal process are provided on the back of the Valuation Notice you received in the mail.

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1. How do I obtain public information?

The Coffey County Clerk is the Freedom of Information Officer for the County.  Contact the County Clerk for any public information you are seeking.

2. How to know if there are any job vacancies?

All job postings will be published in the Official County newspaper, The Coffey County Republican.

3. How do I file for a Homestead Tax refund?

The Coffey County Clerk's Office can help you prepare the forms that you must file with the Kansas Department of Revenue to receive the Homestead tax refund.

To find out if you qualify for these refunds, please inquire at the Coffey County Clerk's Office.

4. How do I get a marriage license?

Contact the Clerk of the District Court at 620-364-8628.

5. How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Kansas birth certificate forms are available in the County Clerk's office. Kansas birth certificates are available at the Department of Vital Statistic's at 785-296-1400, at:
1000 SW Jackson Street
Number 120
Topeka, KS 66612

6. How do I register a boat?

You will need to pick up an application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating Act Form from the County Clerk's Office. Complete the application and send it to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and they will register your boat and issue you your KA number.

For additional information, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism at 620-672-5911 or visit the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

7. How do I get a hunting or fishing license?

Hunting and Fishing licenses are available through the County Clerk's Office.

For additional information, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism at 620-672-5911 or visit the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

8. I just started a new business, what do I need to do?

There may be special permits or licenses necessary for your business. In general, all businesses should check the zoning in their area. In addition, it is important to file a personal property rendition with the County Appraiser's Office for all business-related property. Sales tax questions should be directed to the Kansas Department of Revenue at 785-368-8222 or via email.

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1. Where can I receive a booster?

• Coffey County Medical Center
• AuBurn Pharmacy

2. Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

Free home test kits are available while supplies last.  Pick up in the office or call ahead if symptomatic and we'll bring one outside.  

3. What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

View the State's Isolation and Quarantine guidelines HERE.  Isolate from others and wait for the call from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  

4. What should I do I'm exposed to someone with COVID-19?

Read the state's updated quarantine guidelines HERE.

5. What are the current Coffey County Resolutions?

View the current County Resolutions online.

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1. What is Carbon Monoxide and my risk?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a flammable, colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel - natural gas, oil, coal, wood, kerosene, etc. Everyone is at risk of CO poisoning, and because it has no smell, no taste, and no color, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. Sources of CO in and around your home include charcoal grills, gas-fired appliances, fireplaces, water heaters, space heaters, wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and motor vehicles.

At lower levels of exposure, CO results in symptoms that are very similar to the common flu and/or a cold, which include headaches, tiredness, nausea, and sometimes shortness of breath. Higher levels present the same symptoms, but are more severe, like disorientation, severe headaches and nausea, dizziness, fainting and fatigue, and even unconsciousness and/or death.

If you are suffering from chronic flu-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately and ask if it could be CO poisoning. CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Over 1,500 people die annually due to carbon monoxide, and 10,000 seek medical attention, all of which from accidental exposure.

2. What actions do I take if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

First thing, you need to ask yourself "is anyone feeling ill or not"? The following step can assist you on how to proceed.

If no one is feeling ill:

• Silence the alarm
• Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace and fireplace)
• Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows
• Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup

If illness is a factor:

• Evacuate all occupants immediately
• Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms
• Call your local emergency number and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill
• Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative
• Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

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3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

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4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

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5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

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6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

Answer goes here...

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1. How can you tell where a pipeline is located?

Since pipelines are buried underground, line markers are used to indicate their approximate location along the route. The markers can be found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway or railroad. Markers display the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline operator, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency.

2. Can I move a pipeline marker sign?

It is a federal crime to remove or deface a pipeline marker sign. 

Pipeline marker signs are important to public safety. They are so important, in fact, that Congress in 1988 passed a law making it a federal crime for any person to willfully deface, damage, remove, or destroy any pipeline sign right-of-way marker that is required by federal law. The penalty for each offense is a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than a year or both.

3. Are markers always placed on top of the pipeline?

Markers indicate the general location of a pipeline. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline they mark. Also, the pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers.

While markers are helpful in locating pipelines, they are limited in the information they provide. They do not provide information, for example, on the depth or number of pipelines in the vicinity.

4. How can you recognize a pipeline leak?

Sight, sound, and smell are helpful in detecting pipeline leaks.

Sight

Look for:

• Crude oil or liquid petroleum products on the ground
• A dense white cloud or fog
• A spot of dead vegetation in an otherwise green location (may indicate a slow leak)
• Flames (if the leak has ignited), do not attempt to extinguish any primary fire source until pipeline company employees arrive and their representative directs this action.

Sound

Listen for:

• A roaring sound
• A hissing sound

Smell

Smell for:

• A pungent odor, sometimes like "rotten eggs"
• A gasoline-like odor

5. What should I do if you suspect a leak:

Your first concern should be for your personal safety and that of those around you.

• Leave the leak area immediately
• Avoid driving into vapor clouds
• Contact the Sheriff's Office at 620-364-2123 or 800-362-0638