By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
See related story: Ellis County Commissioners review third draft of 2027 budget
Ellis County Commissioners will meet Tuesday to review the fourth and final draft of the proposed 2027 county budget, with the meeting expected to focus on final changes before commissioners consider authorizing publication of the proposed spending plan next week.
The proposed budget was $5,221 higher than the county’s 2026 budget during last week’s third-draft review. Darin Myers, county administrator, said he would look for additional reductions to bring the 2027 budget below the current year’s spending level.
Commissioners also discussed reducing the Special Highway Fund further, from the suggested $200,000 reduction to a $210,000 reduction. No formal changes were made during the third-draft review.
The third draft included an estimated 7% increase in health insurance premiums and an 8% increase in property, vehicle and liability insurance costs. The proposal also accounted for a projected $300,000 decrease in interest revenue and the removal of around $425,000 in oil and gas depletion revenue. Employee STEP increases (employee pay bumps within the same job level) and cost-of-living adjustments were also delayed under the third draft as commissioners and Myers work to reduce spending.
Several items remain under consideration as commissioners move toward finalizing the budget, including potential changes to Health Department fees, the continued need for a facilities maintenance position at the Ellis County Fairgrounds and funding for new records management software. The $50,000 allocation for ACCESS Transportation was also moved to the budget stabilization line pending the results of the newly formed ACCESS Transportation task force.
Commissioners are expected to consider authorizing publication of the proposed 2027 budget on August 18. The county is scheduled to hold a revenue-neutral rate hearing before adopting the final budget on September 8.
In other business
In other business, Commissioners will consider a lot split request in Schoenchen presented by Environmental Services Director Justin Craig. Myers will also provide his weekly County Administrator Report.