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Ellis County reviews revenue sources and sales-tax renewal options ahead of 2030 sunset
Summary
County staff outlined revenue streams and sales-tax renewal scenarios, noting a 1% rise in collections and the tax's 2030 sunset; commissioners asked for voter-education plans and an updated 10-year financial forecast amid possible declines in oil-related personal property values.
County Administrator Darin Myers presented an overview of Ellis County’s revenue sources and discussed options to shore up future budgets at the Jan. 26 work session. Myers listed ad valorem taxes, the countywide retailer’s sales tax, motor vehicle and special county highway funds, health-department fees, Register of Deeds filing fees, solid waste user fees, interest income, noxious-weed chemical sales, EMS fees, lease payments, alcohol tax, KS 911 fees and miscellaneous service revenues. He said sales-tax collections rose roughly 1% year over year and explained how proceeds are currently allocated.
Commissioners focused on the countywide sales tax, which is scheduled to sunset in 2030. Myers outlined three basic approaches: keep the current rate; increase the rate by fractional cents to create dedicated health and general funds (examples discussed included adding a half-cent for health and a quarter-cent for general purposes); or present alternative questions to voters earlier than 2029. Commissioner Nathan Leiker questioned whether the county should hold an earlier election on the tax, and County Counselor Bill Jeter warned there could be legal and practical ramifications to moving the question sooner. Commissioner Michael Berges emphasized the need to educate voters on any proposal and suggested timing could affect how city partners use the revenue.
Myers also warned that some grants could disappear in coming years and noted that about 57% of the county’s budget covers state-mandated services funded at the county level. County Appraiser Eugene Rupp said final valuation figures will be available after March 1, but preliminarily he expects oil valuations could drop by about a quarter to a third and estimated the county may lose roughly $1 million in personal property assessments. The board directed staff to update the county’s 10-year financial forecast to reflect these variables and to return with analysis and voter-education options.
