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Riley County commissioners reject 2027 draft budget, send it back to staff for cuts
Summary
After a multi‑hour review of rising costs — including a surge in IT equipment prices and uncertainty around health‑department staffing — the Riley County Commission voted to reject the draft 2027 budget and directed staff to return with deeper cuts and options.
Riley County commissioners voted June 25 to reject the draft 2027 county budget and sent it back to staff and the finance committee for deeper analysis and reductions.
The vote followed a lengthy presentation by Britney Phillips, the county’s budget and finance officer, who said the draft budget included a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment and an estimated $825,000 placeholder connected to health‑department personnel changes. Phillips also warned of a proposed $2 million transfer to the capital improvements fund intended to cover debt obligations and near‑term projects.
Commissioners questioned specific contracts and contingency costs during the session. IT/GIS Director Corey Meer told the board that server prices have spiked sharply — two servers that cost about $45,000 in January had quotes as high as $95,000 by late June — and recommended keeping funds available to avoid being unable to buy necessary equipment. “This is the current environment that we are in,” Meer said, describing rapidly changing lead times and short quote windows.
Other discussion focused on pending studies and projects whose cancellation could still generate costs for services already performed. Commissioners also debated appropriations for community programs and the county’s policy on potential tax‑rate choices. One commissioner said they would not support raising mill rates and urged staff to find internal cuts.
A motion to reject the draft budget and return it to staff for revision passed by voice vote. The board agreed by consensus to hold a special budget session on July 1 starting at 1:00 p.m. to continue work and to address the county’s timeline for certifying the revenue‑neutral rate.
Next steps: staff will return with revised options, including potential reductions to appropriation requests and adjustments to the proposed transfer to capital improvements. The budget hearing date remains scheduled for September 10, with a final certification due by Oct. 1.
