Commissioners direct departments to hold budgets flat and discuss a 2% transient guest tax

County Administrator Darin Myers asked for guidance on the 2027 budget, proposing that department heads and outside agencies try to keep budgets flat. Commissioner Nathan Leiker and Chair Neal Younger both favored maintaining or lowering the current mill levy. The commissioners directed department heads and outside agencies to keep their budget requests flat or reduced if possible and expressed a commitment to continued funding for some external partners, including DSNWK and High Plains Mental Health, though details were not finalized.

Transcript text records that "Myers said this was discussed last week at the retreat and he will work with County Counselor Jeter to work on a resolution to start a two percent tax for the County." The minutes additionally record discussion of a commitment to the Crisis Intervention Center and mention a potential million‑dollar grant for the health department to pilot a program; the transcript does not specify grant terms or next steps. The board also requested that transfers to reserves remain at current levels and flagged that departments with high fuel use will face budgeting challenges. The minutes name "Miller" as scheduled for a future agenda item but do not provide a first name or role for that individual in the transcript.