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Morton County commissioners ask staff for flat and 15% cut budget scenarios for 2027
Summary
Commissioners reviewed 2027 departmental requests and asked counsel and staff to produce budget scenarios including maintaining the current mill levy and a 15% cut from 2025 actuals, citing a drop in county valuation. Departments reported mostly steady budgets with targeted increases for fuel and equipment.
Morton County commissioners spent the bulk of their June 23 meeting reviewing departmental 2027 budget requests and asking staff and legal counsel to prepare comparative budget scenarios.
Chairman Jim Tucker and the board directed counsel and county staff to present at least two scenarios for next year’s budget: one that keeps the mill levy roughly flat and another that reduces each budget by 15% compared with 2025 actuals. County legal consultant Lisa Axman, who joined by Zoom, noted the county’s valuation is down and commissioners need figures to understand the fiscal impact.
Several departments reported modest changes rather than large new requests. The golf department’s representative, Kevin, said the budget “stayed the same except increase in fuel” and discussed future equipment needs. District Court Clerk Matti said her requested budget is lower this year after a server replacement last year and that she will obtain another quote for a wall the state requested for safety. K‑State’s request that Extension move to districting in 2028 was flagged by Extension representative Crystal Bashford as an upcoming change.
The board asked counsel to produce the requested scenarios so they can compare effects on services and mill levy decisions ahead of finalizing the 2027 budget.
