Nonprofits and county departments outline priorities as commissioners begin budget process

A range of Butler County nonprofit organizations and county departments briefed the county commissioners on program activity and funding requests during a July 15 budget review meeting as the board prepared notices for the 2026 budget process.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard operational updates, program expansions and one-time capital needs from agencies that receive county mill-dollar support. Those presentations help shape line items that staff will include in updated budget tables ahead of the Aug. 26 public hearing.

Highlights presented to the board:

Sunlight Children’s Home (presenter: Bryn Murphy, presenter for the organization) — Asked for level funding for 2026. Murphy said the organization completed a first year operating a thrift store (614 N. Andover Road) that now covers costs and provides revenue; the thrift-store consolidation freed space at the children’s home that the charity plans to remodel into offices. Murphy said Sunlight received a KDADS grant to fund two therapists to provide specialized group treatment for children ages 6–12 with problematic sexualized behavior; with the new staff the center hopes to run group therapy locally rather than sending families to Sedgwick County. Murphy said the children’s home is near capacity (typically 7–11 of 15 beds) and the organization recently purchased 17 acres to plan longer-term expansion.

Register of Deeds (presenter: Jackie, Register of Deeds office) — Reported completion of a project to…