By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The county administrator said the county is within .01 mill of last year as of its draft budget presented on Tuesday.
To keep the mill levy stable, commissioners would need to cut about $100,000 out of the county budget, Darin Myers, county administrator, said as he reviewed a draft of the budget with county commissioners on Tuesday.
County officials are projecting $30.43 million in general fund revenue and $33.33 million in expenditures, an increase from 2025.
The county is waiting for the final assessed valuation from the appraiser.
"This is very preliminary, but the good news is the budget came in at a point where it's not as concerning as originally thought," Myers said.
Myers said the proposed 2026 budget slightly exceeds the revenue-neutral rate, and to stay within the revenue-neutral rate, the county would need to cut about $750,000 from the budget.
Myers said Ellis County has the 13th lowest mill levy in Kansas.
The cash carryover was $4.3 million last year compared to $4.8 million this year, which Myers said will be positive for property taxes.
The current draft includes an estimated 7% increase in health insurance costs. The actual renewal rates will not be determined until after the final budget adoption in September.
Items in the 2026 Ellis County Budget draft include:
• Step wage increase for county employees with a possible cost of living increase mid-year
• $1.6 million to the highway fund for road and bridge projects.
• Continued funding for the asphalt road maintenance program.
• Funding for staff development to attend a Certified Public Manager Course through KU.
• Continued transfers to reserves for capital projects.
• Finalization of a plan to absorb 911 communications positions from the city of Hays
The commission heard from a few outside agencies and will hear from more at the June 10 meeting. Myers said about 18 agencies have submitted their funding requests to the Ellis County Care Council, which will review them and likely provide recommendations before the end of July.
Some items that are not currently in the first draft budget but the commission has expressed interest in considering include:
• Funding for the law enforcement center remodel after the Hays Police Department moves into their new facility in August 2026.
• Price increase request from the contract attorneys for the Ellis County District Court.
• Funding for IT infrastructure for upgrades in the 911 communications center.
• Staffing requests to change the sheriff's office from 8 to 12 hour shifts and adding one additional EMT medic per shift for EMS
The biggest increase in the fire district budget is due to higher insurance costs. Myers said this is because the county must insure both active fire trucks and those still being built.
The 2026 solid waste budget is balanced, and no rate increases are planned for municipal waste, Myers said.
Commissioner Michael Berges said even though the commission now has a clearer picture of the draft budget, there will be tough financial decisions to make due to state and federal funding cuts to local agencies.
"I think this is going to be our toughest budget out of the three that I've been through for various reasons," Berges said, "but I appreciate what we have to start here today."
DSNWK budget requests
Commissioners heard from DSNWK President Jerry Michaud about the 2026 fiscal year budget requests for three of the disability services organization's programs.
The commission provided $250,000 in 2024 and 2025. The nonprofit is asking for the same amount despite a local funding gap. Michaud said the agency faces ongoing staffing challenges, with 27 open positions, 12 of which are in Ellis County.
Other business
The commission reappointed Eugene Rupp as County Appraiser for a new four-year term starting July 1. Rupp was appointed in December 2023 to finish the term of former appraiser Lisa Ree.
The commission was notified of two upcoming vacancies on the Planning & Zoning and Library Boards due to members moving out of the county. Myers announced the openings and invited interested residents to apply here.
Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, provided an update on ongoing projects and economic development initiatives across Ellis County, such as the Heart of America Development.
The commission also approved a new job description for an assistant county attorney in training position.