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County administrator outlines 2027 budget calendar and warns of lower interest revenue
Summary
County administrator Darren Myers presented the FY2027 budget calendar, reporting 2025 net revenues were modestly higher after a one‑time property sale and warning projected interest income could fall from roughly $1.6–1.7M to about $1.1M for 2027, a possible $400,000 shortfall to plan for.
Darren Myers, Ellis County administrator, provided an overview of where the county stands as staff prepares the FY2027 budget. He said preliminary adjustments to 2025 figures — chiefly the sale of the public works building — mean the county finished about $971,000 over projections once that one‑time sale is excluded. Departments collectively came in roughly 4.7% under budget for 2025 (about $1.5 million), Myers said.
Myers flagged an expected decline in investment income: treasury receipts were about $1.6–1.7 million in 2025, but staff project interest income closer to $1.1 million in 2027 if prevailing interest rates continue to fall — a roughly $400,000 downward pressure on revenue. He also summarized capital funds (buildings, equipment, highway), noted a drop in the solid‑waste capital transfer after a vendor issue, and said sales tax revenue (two quarter‑cent levies) came in about $3.36 million — roughly $60,000 higher year‑over‑year.
Myers walked commissioners through the calendar and statutory timing: the county expects to present a first draft of the 2027 budget on June 2 and flagged the revenue‑neutral rate computation deadline on June 15. He noted possible legislative uncertainty around House Bill 2745 and said staff would seek guidance during the state veto period and at the April 14 follow‑up meeting.
The presentation was framed as guidance for commissioners to give staff direction; no budget decisions were adopted on the floor. Myers asked commissioners to return suggestions to staff by the April 14 meeting so department heads can prepare detailed budgets for the June presentation.
