Osage County staff report $600,000 carryover shortfall; indigent defense budget seeks $17,800 increase

County finance staff told the Osage County Commission on May 27 that preliminary carryover figures show the county began the 2025 budget year with roughly $600,000 less cash than the budget estimated, a shortfall staff said commissioners should consider when setting the 2026 budget.

The county—s seven-year worksheet, presented to commissioners, compares unencumbered cash to multi-year averages and monthly needs. The presenter said that during the 2025 budget the county estimated a carryover of $3,200,000 but actual carryover at the end of the year was $2,600,000, leaving about $600,000 less than anticipated. The presenter used the general fund as an example, saying the current balance for the general fund was about $2,800,000 while a six-month operating target would be about $3,700,000, leaving a shortfall of roughly $842,000 in that fund relative to a six-month reserve benchmark.

The presenter said the worksheet is intended to show where operating funds are concentrated and to flag funds that may be at risk if revenues remain flat; the presenter also noted staffing shortages in some departments can make current balances appear higher because unspent payroll lines are still included in budgets.

Separately, Kelsey presented a budget request for fiscal year 2026 totaling an increase of $17,800 over what was approved in the 2025 budget. Kelsey said the bulk of the request is for indigent services and court-appointed attorneys. The office is asking for a 10% increase in the indigent defense line, about $11,900, to move payments closer to a target the judge has indicated of roughly $400 per case. Kelsey said the county appoints roughly 300 to 350 cases a year under the current system and that neighboring counties have shifted from a panel-payment system to hourly pay in recent years.

Kelsey also requested increases for conflict appointments and psychological evaluations; the presenter said psychological evaluations this year have ranged from about $710 to $3,100 each and requested a $3,500 increase in that line. Additional smaller increases were requested for education and training ($500), equipment rental ($1,400) and repair and maintenance ($500). Kelsey said some lease agreements will not come up for renewal until after this budgeting process but the office expects costs to rise.

Commissioners did not take a final vote on the 2026 budget at the meeting; staff said the worksheet and the departmental requests will inform upcoming budget discussions.