By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
Ellis County commissioners are expected to take the final step toward publishing the proposed 2027 county budget during their meeting Tuesday.
Darin Myers, county administrator, will present the final 2027 operating and capital budgets before commissioners consider authorizing publication. The proposed general fund includes no more than $34,696,835 in expenditures, putting spending below the 2026 budget after commissioners and county staff made almost $800,000 in reductions throughout the budget process.
The proposed solid waste enterprise fund includes $2,220,461 in expenditures, while the fire district's operating fund is set at $893,477.
To view the full budget report and exact changes, click here.
If approved, the county can publish the proposed budget at least 10 days before the Sept. 8 budget and revenue neutral rate hearings. The hearings are scheduled for the regularly scheduled commission meeting at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Ellis County Commission Chambers.
The proposed general fund mill levy is 0.85 mills higher than 2026, while the fire district mill levy is proposed to increase by 0.531 mills. Final mill levy rates will be determined after the Ellis County Clerk completes the final abstract numbers in November.
Myers previously explained the reason for the increase in the mill levy, despite the overall budget decreasing.
“However, the mill levy does increase even though our budget decreases." Myers said. "That's due to the valuation of the county."
In Other Business
The commission will also hear a presentation on winter operating hours for the landfill from Justin Craig, environmental services director for the landfill and receive the county administrator's report from Myers.
To view the complete agenda, click here.
The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.