Woodson County commissioners hear 2027 budget requests; district court and county attorney seek increases

Woodson County commissioners on June 2, 2026, heard department presentations and initial 2027 budget requests focused on operations and personnel costs.

District Court representatives asked for a $5,100 increase to replace a courtroom server and reported several grants that the court expects will benefit the local facility, and Dina Morrison asked for permission to use a closet leading to the attic to house a public-use computer. County Attorney MaryAnn Shirley requested a 3% cost-of-living increase for her office and additional funding for copier contract expenses and office supplies; Shirley also discussed the county’s Diversion Fund but did not specify additional funding amounts in the meeting record.

Emergency Management/EMS director John Atkin presented a request that included increased personal services for EMS and an overall increase for Emergency Management. Atkin also noted the Clerk’s Office request to install electronic door locks at the Community Building and Bressner Building using a state grant; commissioners later authorized that expenditure (see related article).

Appraiser Jessica Porter asked for increased personal services tied to current appraisal workloads. Rural Fire Chief Nick Barney presented a 2027 budget unchanged from 2026; discussion included the Rural Fire Equipment Fund. Solid Waste Director David Waddell sought a 3% increase in personal services while keeping other budget lines flat. Road & Bridge representatives Gary Ward and Todd Green presented budgets unchanged from 2026.

Sheriff Jacob Morrison presented an updated request showing an overall decrease for the Sheriff’s Department, with an increase for Dispatch and no change for the jail. Clerk Amanda DeWitt presented requests for both the Clerk and Elections offices, with the only increases requested in personal services; DeWitt said the county received a reimbursement grant through the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office and requested approval to buy a new election laptop (the commission approved the purchase).

Treasurer Michelle Zimmerman said several departments are currently cash short and reported the county is experiencing a higher delinquency rate on tax payments this year, a factor commissioners will need to consider during budget deliberations.

Commissioners did not adopt a countywide 2027 budget at the meeting; they continued discussion of Custodian, Courthouse General and Commission budget lines and will consider the requested increases as part of the formal budget process.

Next steps: departmental budget requests will be folded into the county’s 2027 budget process and considered alongside revenue estimates and reserves.