Finney County takes 2026 outside-agency budget requests under advisement; commissioners hear service needs and funding gaps

Finney County commissioners heard budget requests from more than a dozen outside agencies on Friday and voted to take each request under advisement as they prepare the countybudget. Presenters described service demand and funding pressures; commissioners repeatedly deferred final allocations for later consideration.

Agencies that appeared and had their requests taken under advisement included the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, the Finney County Museum, the Finney County Conservation District, CASA Spirit of the Plains, Compass Area Mental Health, the Finney County Committee on Aging (senior services and transit), Western Kansas Career Showcases, Finney County Economic Development Corporation, the Finney County Public Library, SDSI (community developmental disability organization), Russell Child Development Center (Part C early intervention) and others. Each request was moved, seconded and recorded as “taken under advisement” in voice votes recorded in the meeting.

Key points from presenters

- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center: Don (presenter) said federal grant uncertainty left the center facing possible reimbursement gaps and requested $20,000 from the county to support forensic interviews, medical exams and therapy services. “We greatly appreciate your support,” Don said, noting the center served dozens of children in Finney County and provides medical-forensic exams when hospital staff are unavailable.

- Finney County Museum: Director Steve Quakenbush outlined a long-range plan, outreach and 2026 operations; the museum requested $222,000. Quakenbush highlighted preservation needs and educational programs, saying the museum served nearly 19,175 visitors and manages a collection of more than 25,000 artifacts.

- Finney County Conservation District: District Manager Carmen Rhodes said federal staff reductions have shifted workload to district offices and emphasized that local funding leverages a 2-to-1 state match (up to $50,000). The district requested continuation of prior county support (about $35,000) to help maintain services and staff capacity.

- CASA Spirit of the Plains: Debbie reported CASA served 27 children in 2024 (15 from Finney County), struggled to recruit volunteers nationwide and faced a DOJ funding cut at the national level. The local program requested $15,000.

- Compass Area Mental Health: Lisa (presenter) described the agencygrowth and services after certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. She said Compass diverted 90% of mobile crisis responses away from hospitalization last year and asked the commission to take a $150,000 request under advisement to support sliding-scale and uncompensated care.

- Finney County Committee on Aging: Hillary Whiteley, assistant director, outlined Meals on Wheels (25,056 meals delivered to homebound residents in February 2024), friendship meals, Medicare counseling and the countyminibus transit service (nearly 13,000 rides in 2024). Whiteley said the program needs a replacement minibus (KDOT reimburses 80% after purchase) and requested $438,218 as part of next-year planning.

- Finney County Public Library: Paula Kimbrell (board chair) and Pam Tuller (director) requested increased funding to reach a statutory cap of 1.9 mills to begin a capital-improvement fund after HVAC and building maintenance issues left the library temporarily limited. The library requested $1,206,000 and described nearly 75,000 visits and 94,000 checkouts (physical and digital) in the prior year.

- Russell Child Development Center (RCDC): Rebecca Clancy and Stephanie Wills described Part C early-intervention services for children birth to 3 and said RCDC served 584 children in 2024 (294 in Finney County). RCDC requested $66,000 from Finney County to support the program as part of a mix of KDHE, Medicaid reimbursement and local fundraising.

What the board did

For each agency presentation the commission moved, seconded and voted to take the request under advisement; commissioners noted the aggregate requests exceed the countybudget capacity and that the board will meet again to set outside-agency allocations during the countybudget process. Several presenters stressed state or federal funding uncertainty — especially for victim services, childcare/early intervention and mental-health programs — and asked the county to consider ongoing support.

Votes at a glance (all motions: take request under advisement)

- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center — request: $20,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Finney County Museum — request: $222,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Finney County Conservation District — request: $35,000 (approx.) — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - CASA Spirit of the Plains — request: $15,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Compass Area Mental Health — request: $150,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Finney County Committee on Aging (senior services/transit) — request: $438,218 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Western Kansas Career Showcases — request: $50,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Finney County Economic Development Corp. — request: $300,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - Finney County Public Library — request: $1,206,000 — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote). - SDSI (community developmental disability organization) — request: not specified in transcript — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote); county commissioner recused on roll-call. - Russell Child Development Center (Part C early intervention) — request: $66,000 (Finney County portion) — outcome: taken under advisement (voice vote).

Why it matters

Commissioners told presenters that the county faces a larger-than-normal set of outside-agency requests this budget cycle and that the board must weigh priorities as it drafts the 2026 budget; commissioners also noted a planned public vote on a half-cent sales tax that could change revenue assumptions. Several agencies asked the county to consider ongoing support because state or federal funding changes have left service gaps.

Next steps

The commission will consider outside-agency allocations during the county budget process and return public notice and final decisions in later budget hearings. Presenters will be notified if the board needs more information or written proposals to inform appropriations.