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Cheyenne County CourthouseCheyenne County Courthouse · Photo: Smallbones · Public domain
Town Hall · St. Francis

St. Francis spent more per resident in 2022 than 84% of similar cities

St. Francis’ city government spent $1.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $932 per resident. That is its newest year reported to the Census Bureau. Water and other utilities ($1.3 million) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.2M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$932
In 2022: $932, more than 84% of 252 similar cities
Long-term debt
$2.3M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
9
full-time · 13 part-time · March payroll $41,499
Typical tax bill
$1,603
1.48% of home value · KS 1.29%

What stands out about how St. Francis is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $932 per resident, more than 84% of 252 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer62% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares St. Francis Community Schools Unified School District 297 with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,603 a year: 1.48% of the home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas.
Compared with similar places

$932 per resident in 2022: more than 84% of them

St. Francis’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($932 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $516, and the middle half spent $249–$749. St. Francis spent more than 84% of them.

Middle half of the group, $249–$749Median $516St. Francis

Includes sewer and trash ($238,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
252

Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; St. Francis itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $932 per resident a year, or $2.55 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 30%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 48%Fees & charges 11%Property taxes 10%From other local governments 10%Sales taxes 7%From the state 7%From the federal government 3%Other taxes & licenses 2%Interest, fines & other 2%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $173,000; interest on debt $92,000; payments to other governments $83,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $2.8 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

St. Francis reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau (2024 is an estimate), so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,603 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.48% of the home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Kansas$2,798
St. Francis$1,603
$1,603
typical bill a year
1.48%
effective rate
$108,200
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at St. Francis’ rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to St. Francis’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in St. Francis →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in St. Francis

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check St. Francis’ own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for St. Francis yet.
Who works for St. Francis

One full-time city employee for every 141 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (1,267).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings3 + 6 pt
Parks & libraries2
Water & other utilities2
Sewer & trash1 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation1
Courts, inspections & corrections0 + 1 pt
Other0 + 5 pt
9
full-time
13
part-time
$41,499
payroll for March 2022
$497,988
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$48,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.St. Francis had 7.1 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 226 of the 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 5.0: St. Francis had more than 66% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

St. Francis Community Schools Unified School District 297

St. Francis’ K–12 school district, shared with Benkelman Township, Cleveland Run Township, Jaqua Township, Wano Township, Orlando Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in St. Francis →
$15,222
per pupil · KS $14,966
302
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $15,222 per pupil, $10,722 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 37%State 59%Federal 4%

Kansas districts overall: 28% local, 61% state, 11% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

St. Francis’ votes are counted by county

Kansas reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for St. Francis alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Cheyenne County’s results.

President · Cheyenne County’s results1,422 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican83.3%1,185 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat14.5%206 votes

Others: 2.2% (31 votes).

Most votes in Cheyenne County: Donald J Trump

Kansas: Trump 57.2%, Harris 41.0%

The county’s page

100% of St. Francis lies in Cheyenne County. Every 2024 race in Cheyenne County is on the county’s page.

Cheyenne County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents St. Francis

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for St. Francis.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Kansas HouseState representatives
    Adam Smith
  3. 3
    Kansas SenateState senator
    Rick Billinger
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Laura Kelly
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Tracey Mann
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Kansas
    Jerry MoranRoger Marshall

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach St. Francis’ government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about St. Francis’ government

How much does St. Francis spend per resident?

About $932 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $932 was more than 84% of 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in St. Francis?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,603 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.48% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs St. Francis’ government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for St. Francis yet.

How did St. Francis vote in 2024?

Kansas counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for St. Francis alone. Cheyenne County, where 100% of St. Francis lies, voted Trump 83.3%, Harris 14.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for St. Francis?

9 full-time and 13 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $41,499 (about $497,988 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents St. Francis in the state legislature?

State Senate District 40 (Rick Billinger) and State House District 120 (Adam Smith). The House district also covers 86 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about St. Francis’ government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →