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Saline County trims proposed 2026 budget, reduces levy slightly and restores select nonprofit grants
Summary
County administrator presented a revised 2026 budget that cuts $976,357 from the July recommendation, reducing the mill levy by 1.404 mills to 40.167; commissioners approved the revisions and restored modest funding for three local nonprofits.
Saline County commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a set of reductions to the county's proposed 2026 budget that county staff said would lower the proposed mill levy and preserve limited funding for several local nonprofits.
County Administrator Philip Smith Haines told commissioners his revised recommendation reduces $976,357 from the July 1 proposed budget, which he said amounts to a 1.404-mill reduction in the proposed levy to a 40.167 mill rate. He said that would be "an impact of $1.26 annually for a $200,000-value home." Haines presented a list of specific cuts and offsets and answered commissioners' questions before seeking approval.
Haines said the reductions include trimming spending on road rock (SS 5 Road Rock) at Road and Bridge after discussions with Road and Bridge administrator Darren Fischel; reducing county support for an emergency ambulance for the City of Salina; eliminating $10,000 in tuition reimbursement from the employee benefits fund; lowering Chamber of Commerce dues to match the City of Salina level; holding economic development funding flat rather than increasing it; a $1,000 reduction in vehicle mileage for the county appraiser's office; and a small reduction in the transfer to debt service based on available cash in that fund. He said the total of those additional reductions came to $83,570.
The revised proposal also restores funding in three areas discussed at a Friday study session: $10,000 each for Salina Grace, Salina Area United Way for childcare, and the Saline County Farm Bureau tire disposal program, along with acceptance of one of the budget appeals (discussed separately during the meeting).
Members of the public who spoke during the citizens input period referenced cuts to nonprofit funding and urged the commission to listen to community needs; Linda Salem said she appreciated the commission's willingness to reconsider the numbers. After discussion, Commissioner Joe Hay moved to approve the revised budget item (RFA 2025-110); the motion was seconded and the commission approved the item by voice vote.
The action does not change the county's final levy until hearings required by law are completed; staff noted the proposal remains slightly above the current levy of 40.112 mills. Haines said if the ambulance cost increases beyond the reduced estimate the county has funding in its equipment reserve to cover the difference.
The commission's approval followed public comments thanking commissioners for seeking additional review and input on cuts. The revised budget will move forward through the county's public-notice and hearing process.
