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Commissioners direct budget staff to avoid raising mill levy; transient guest tax discussed
Summary
Ellis County commissioners signalled they do not want to raise the mill levy for 2027, discussed using a transient guest tax to offset needs and asked departments to keep commodity and contractual spending flat while staff assemble draft budgets.
Ellis County commissioners gave staff direction on the 2027 budget at their April 14 meeting, prioritizing keeping the mill levy steady and asking department heads to hold commodity and contractual spending at or below this year's levels while personnel requests are reviewed. County Administrator Darren Myers outlined the calendar for department budget submissions and asked for guidance on outside agency funding and revenue options.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker said, "I do not wanna see a raise from my standpoint there," emphasizing reluctance to raise property taxes after a full‑mill increase last year. Administrator Darren Myers asked department heads to "keep your commodities contractual capital flat, if not reduced," and said staff may pursue a transient guest (hotel) tax of up to 2% under statute as a possible revenue tool. Commissioners also discussed outside agency funding (about $1.3 million approved this year) and a $100,000 request tied to a local Crisis Intervention Center; Myers said the health department expects to present a separate grant update in May.
