County Clerk

County Clerk

Tammy Vopat, County Clerk/Election Officer

430 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
620-341-3245
Email: lyclerk@lyoncounty.org

Duties

The Kansas County Clerk and Election Official has many duties. Though it would be impossible to list every job that every county clerk/election official does, a snapshot is available below. The County Clerk’s duties are listed nearly 1,000 times in Kansas Statutes.

Clerical

• Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners
• Records and maintains official minutes of meetings
• Maintains all contracts with the County
• Maintains the County Seal(s)
• Attests the signatures of the County Commissioners on documents
• Assists with vacation of County roads

Budgeting

• Responsible for office budget(s)
• Certifies that cash and budget are available to cover claims
• Reviews and approves all claims for payment and issues 1099s
• Keeps all financial reports of the County and other entities
• Assists smaller taxing entites with budget preparation annually

Taxation

• Calculates July and November abstracts of valuation and taxation
• Compiles and reports annual bonded indebtedness of the county
• Prepares the tax roll in preparation of printing tax statements
• Maintains special assessments to the tax roll
• Processes abatements/additions and escapes to the tax roll
• Assessment of sewer costs and placement on tax roll

Miscellaneous

• Sells moving permits
• Maintains fixed asset inventory for the County
• Assists taxpayers annually with Homestead Tax refunds
• “Freedom of Information Officer” for the County
• Maintains all legal publications for County
• Maintains all claims against the County
• Maintains a map of all taxing units in the County
• Provides “check and balance” to motor vehicle, general ledger and real and personal property from other offices by maintaining a separate set of records
• Administers County policies as set by the County Commission

Voter Registration/Election (Chapter 25 of Kansas Statutes)

• Maintains accurate Voter Registration Rolls
• Collects filing fees for local candidates
• Verifies signatures on petitions for candidates, question initiatives and recalls
• Recruits, appoints and trains board workers for all elections
• Is responsible for all aspects of election: ballots, polling sites and equipment in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Maintains records of elections in official abstract

Homestead Tax Refund

The Homestead Refund is a rebate of a portion of the property taxes paid on a Kansas resident’s homestead.  Your refund percentage is based on your total household income.  If you own your home, the refund is a percentage of your general property tax.

If you need help filing your Homestead Tax Form, the County Clerk’s Office can assist you, FREE of charge.  Our hours of assistance are Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For additional Homestead information, visit the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

Mill Levy

The Kansas Statutes authorize local governments to levy property taxes.  In addition to cities, townships, counties, schools, and local governments; also included are special districts such as hospitals, fire, cemeteries, watershed and libraries, etc. The history of how property classifications were asset pre re-appraisal and changes to the classified rates as listed in the Property Taxation Statewide Document.

2023 Tax Levy Sheets        2022 Tax Levy Sheets

2021 Tax Levy Sheets        2020 Tax Levy Sheets

2019 Tax Levy Sheets        2018 Tax Levy Sheets

2017 Tax Levy Sheets        2016 Tax Levy Sheets

2015 Tax Levy Sheets        2014 Tax Levy Sheet

2013 Tax Levy Sheets        2012 Tax Levy Sheets

2011 Tax Levy Sheets        2010 Tax Levy Sheets