By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission discussed 2026 funding recommendations with the Ellis County Care Council during its Tuesday meeting.
Brett Gerber, with the Ellis County Care Council, said the group divides funding requests into four categories and bases its recommendations on the specific needs of the outside agencies seeking support.
The total requested is $169,500, while the amount available for allocation is $160,995. If approved in the final budget, the funding would be available for disbursement in January 2026.
2026 mill levy discussion
The commission discussed the 2026 mill levy and long-term financial planning for the county. Commissioner Michael Berges suggested adding one to two mills to the levy to help fund future projects and maintain current services in the case of state legislation restricting the county’s financial flexibility.
"My overall concern is federal funding and state funding being cut," Berges said. "To me, that trickles down and it's demanding more of your local government, cities and counties to pick up those services."
Berges said if the commission raises the mill levy by one mill, it would result in an estimated increase of $23 per year for every $100,000 of home value. For agricultural land, one mill would cost about $7.50 per 40 acres, meaning an 80-acre parcel would see an estimated $15 annual increase.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker said the commission has managed the budget and mill levy well in recent years and encouraged taking a step back to consider the possibility of an increase carefully.
"What's it going to take to keep businesses here in our community? What's it going to take to recruit business? Is working with our property taxes the direction we want to go, or is there an alternative route?" Leiker said.
Berges also said that future discussions may be needed on how sales tax could serve as a long-term alternative to property tax.
The mill levy discussion is set to continue at the commission’s July 15 meeting.