Survey: Cherokee County Residents Strongly Oppose Commissioner’s Tax Increases, Zoning Plans
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A recent survey of Cherokee County residents reveals strong, consistent opposition to county decisions on property taxes and zoning and deep concern about the direction of county government.
Strong majorities of county residents say they would not vote for candidates who support tax increases or attempts to zone the county.
County-Wide Zoning Opposed Three-to-One
Cherokee County Commissioners have launched a process to impose county-wide zoning, a policy that would place new restrictions on how land is used and developed across Cherokee County for the first time in its history.
When asked why, the answer is clear: 60% say new zoning regulations would infringe on their property rights by adding costs and restrictions to what they can do with their own land. Only 19% say zoning is needed to keep certain industries out of the county.
Property Tax Increase Draws Overwhelming Opposition
Cherokee County commissioners approved a 2026 property tax increase of 24% above the revenue-neutral rate, following a 3% increase in 2024.
Residents responded clearly: 81% disapprove of the increase.
Majorities across every demographic oppose the increase:
- Republicans: 75% disapprove
- Independents: 70% disapprove
- Democrats: 57% disapprove
Most Residents Say the County is Heading in the Wrong Direction
Beyond taxes and zoning, Cherokee County residents express broad dissatisfaction with how the county is being run. Only 28% say the county is heading in the right direction. Most say it is on the wrong track.
When asked to rate county performance across key areas, residents consistently say the county is falling short:
TAXES: 79% say the county is falling short
COST OF LIVING: 77% falling short
ROADS AND BRIDGES: 55% falling short
COUNTY FINANCES: 52% falling short
BUSINESS GROWTH AND JOBS: 44% falling short
Areas where residents give the county higher marks include Law Enforcement & Safety and Emergency Response, where majorities say the county is doing a good job.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by Tunnl from March 11–17, 2026, among 300 residents of Cherokee County, Kansas. The sample was stratified by sex, age, and race/ethnicity to ensure representativeness. Responses were weighted to align with key demographic benchmarks, including sex, age, race/ethnicity, region, voter registration, party affiliation, and vote history. The margin of error is ±5.7 percentage points. The survey was commissioned by Clearway Energy.
About Tunnl
Tunnl is a research and audience intelligence firm that works with organizations that need smarter, faster ways to make audience-informed decisions. Tunnl’s platform connects research insights directly to actionable audiences, helping organizations move from data to impact across advocacy, public affairs, and campaign environments.