Colby Community College Update from President Seth Carter
July 29, 2026
Greetings from Colby Community College.
We hope everyone is doing well. Because our budget publication is out and our budget hearing is coming up on August 17, I wanted to focus on the mill levy and taxation. When people receive their annual property tax statements, one of the first questions they ask is simple: "What am I getting for my tax dollars?" It's a fair question, and one that every taxing entity has a responsibility to answer.
At Colby Community College, we believe taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and a commitment to responsible stewardship. That's why I'm proud to share that the College has continued to reduce its local mill levy while maintaining the high-quality education and workforce training Northwest Kansas depends on.
Since 2015, Colby Community College has reduced its levy from 46.781 mills to a proposed 38.720 mills in 2026 — the Board of Trustees will vote on the 2026 rate at the Aug. 17 meeting. If approved, that would be a reduction of more than eight mills over 11 years. The proposed 2026 rate would also be lower than the 2012 levy.
This decline didn't happen by accident. It reflects years of mindful financial planning, disciplined budgeting, and a philosophy that every taxpayer dollar should be treated with respect. During that same period, the College has continued to invest in academic programs, expand workforce partnerships, improve facilities, support student success, and serve communities throughout Northwest Kansas.
Our total budget is increasing for this fiscal year, due to our dorm projects, the kitchen renovation, concrete work, the new maintenance shed, and several other improvements. However, the College is not increasing taxes. The total cost of this work is approximately $10 million, with nearly all of it being completed by vendors from northwest Kansas. Each project has been carefully planned, and funding is already allocated. Additionally, enrollment was up 21.9% year-to-date as of July 29, 2026. This follows a nearly 10% increase in full-time equivalency from last year.
One misconception surrounding property taxes is that public institutions automatically collect more money every year. The reality is much different at Colby Community College. While property valuations have changed over time, the College has worked diligently to limit the amount collected from taxpayers. Based on estimates using the county budget worksheets, the proposed 2026 property tax levy of $6,253,678 is lower than the $6,255,727 levied in 2018, even as the institution has expanded educational opportunities, provided no-cost services, modernized facilities, and responded to growing workforce needs.
These numbers demonstrate that the College has not relied on increasing the local tax burden to support its operations. Instead, the Board of Trustees and administration have focused on attentive budgeting, diversifying enrollment bases, pursuing outside funding, managing expenditures responsibly, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. The result is an institution that continues to strengthen academic programs and workforce training while maintaining one of the lowest mill levy rates in more than a decade.
Community colleges occupy a unique role in Kansas. We provide affordable higher education close to home. We prepare nurses, dental hygienists, physical therapist assistants, teachers, agricultural professionals, welders, local business leaders, and countless other skilled workers who strengthen local businesses and healthcare providers. We help high school students earn college credit, adults gain new job skills, and employers develop the workforce they need.
These services are possible through a partnership among students, state funding, grants, private support, and local taxpayers. Every dollar entrusted to the College represents an investment not only in our students but also in the future economic vitality of Northwest Kansas. That investment is reflected in both our student outcomes and the economic activity generated by campus improvements. During the past 11 years, nearly all College projects have been completed by area vendors, helping keep those dollars in the region.
That investment becomes even more important as rural communities face workforce shortages, healthcare demands, and changing economic conditions. Strong community colleges help address these challenges by keeping educational opportunities local and producing graduates who often remain in the region to live, work, and raise families.
Our responsibility is to ensure those investments are managed wisely. Reducing the levy by more than eight mills while continuing to expand opportunities demonstrates that fiscal responsibility and educational excellence can go hand in hand. It reflects thoughtful leadership by our Board of Trustees and the dedication of faculty and staff who continually seek efficiencies without compromising quality.
The College has a strong and profound belief in giving back to the communities it serves. That commitment extends beyond education, as demonstrated by the thousands of hours of community service our students and employees contribute throughout northwest Kansas each year.
As we look toward the future, Colby Community College remains committed to being a responsible steward of public resources. We will continue pursuing grants, partnerships, operational efficiencies, and innovative programming that maximize value for both our students and our taxpayers. Public education is one of the best long-term investments a community can make. We promise to honor that investment through accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to serving the people of Northwest Kansas. Together, we are building a stronger workforce, stronger communities, and a stronger future, all the while continuing to reduce the local tax burden whenever responsibly possible.
Colby Community College's success is best understood when viewed in comparison with our peers. Among the state's 19 community colleges, Colby has consistently ranked at or near the top in the measures that matter most, which are those that reflect student success. Over the past decade, the College has earned the highest graduation rate in Kansas seven times and has led the state in full-time student retention five times in the last seven years. We have remained among the state's elite institutions despite serving one of Kansas's most rural regions. At the same time, the College has seen strong enrollment growth, with the largest percentage increase over the last decade among the community college sector. This demonstrates that more students and families recognize the value of a Colby Community College education. These rankings are more than statistics; they reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, the perseverance of our students, and the unwavering support of our Board of Trustees and the communities we proudly serve.
I know there is a lot of granular information in this article, but we always want to ensure everyone is aware of what Colby Community College is doing. Again, we are excited to start another fantastic academic year in Colby, Kansas. We are so grateful to our community, alumni, and the students we serve. Thank you all for everything you do. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. If you have not been on campus lately, please stop by; we would love to see you.