Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners review departmental budget cuts and proclaim June elder abuse awareness month
Summary
Department heads presented proposed 2026 budget adjustments and line‑item reductions; the board approved a proclamation declaring June elder abuse awareness month and approved routine agenda and consent items.
Multiple Dickinson County department heads presented draft 2026 budgets and line‑item changes during a commissioners’ meeting that also included a proclamation recognizing June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
Brock (staff member) reviewed his office budget, saying the “budget’s about 90% salaries, benefits” and that remaining items are where cuts were sought. He listed several proposed adjustments, including trimming equipment maintenance, consolidating duplicate supply lines, and renaming a miscellaneous postage line to improve transparency. Brock told the board the county pays certain statutorily required sexual assault exam costs (a KDHE rate) and that those line items are difficult to reduce because they are “mandatory.” He gave a contract services estimate of $11,002.20 for anticipated work with the attorney general’s office on appeals.
The county appraiser (presenter) described reductions and the removal or zeroing of several lines where there have been no recent expenses. The appraiser said equipment maintenance was zeroed out based on historical spending, vehicle maintenance was lowered to $1,000, and office supplies were increased to reflect shared printer usage across departments.
Marcia Schneider, human resources director, reviewed HR line items and proposed modest reductions in dues and travel. Schneider asked for a cautious approach on training dollars because continuing education requirements cause variability year to year. She also said the department is not requesting any capital outlay for 2026 after replacing worn desks.
Commissioners asked managers clarifying questions about contract services, victim/witness costs, and training. During the County Attorney presenter’s discussion, the board agreed to reduce one contract services line from $30,005 to $28,000 as a preliminary adjustment to allow a cushion while staff confirm outstanding annual contracts.
Separately, Mary Cookson, victim advocate with DVAC, presented an elder abuse awareness proclamation. Cookson read national data and asked the commission to declare June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Dickinson County. The board moved, seconded, and unanimously approved the proclamation.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval — motion moved and seconded; "Aye"; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (minutes, payroll, tax abatements) — motion moved and seconded; "Aye"; outcome: approved. - Elder Abuse Awareness Month proclamation — motion moved and seconded; "Aye"; outcome: approved.
Ending: County staff said they will circulate updated budget pages to commissioners and the public as department clarifications are finalized and assessed valuation numbers become available. The commission adjourned after routine business.
