Ellis County commission reviews 2026 budget draft; little change in commission budget

County administration on June 17 presented the Ellis County commission with a proposed 2026 commission budget that shows only modest change from the current year. The overall commission budget was reduced by roughly $1,400–$1,600 compared with the current year, officials said.

Darren Myers, county administrator, noted the largest discretionary item in the commission budget is the dues and membership line (approximately $19,000), which covers memberships in several organizations including the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC), the Kansas County Commissioners Association (KCCA), the National Association of Counties (NACO) and other regional and legislative groups. Commissioners asked staff to return an itemized list of NACO benefits and to estimate licensing or subscription impacts tied to technology purchases the county is considering.

Myers also highlighted the county’s scholarships program: the commission funds renewable scholarships that are budgeted from sales-tax revenue rather than property tax. Because some awards are multi-year and renewable, the budget process must account for second-year payments for previously approved scholarships as well as first-year awards for newly approved recipients.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about travel, the cost-sharing model for national or regional meetings, and whether the county will continue participation in certain programs (notably RAS rural opportunity zone support, which was reduced because the county is no longer RAS-eligible but existing approvals still carry an obligation). Myers said additional budget details and membership benefit information will be provided to commissioners as the budget hearings approach.

No formal change to the commission budget was made at the meeting; the item was presented for review during the county’s budget work timeline.